Introduction
This summer, the university is changing learning environments from Blackboard to Brightspace.
If you have students that are required to take resits, and you would normally have them submit through Blackboard, they will need to make their resit submissions in Brightspace*.
This guide is intended for staff who plan to set up an electronic submission point for resits in Brightspace.
Semester 2 mark entry (SITS) deadline: Degree courses - May 30th; HNs - Week beginning June 3rd (with progression boards taking place later in June)
Blackboard closes: July 31st
Resit submission deadline: August 9th
Resit mark entry (SITS) deadline: August 22nd
The EDU has put together Resits web pages, which include information about the steps unit lecturers/module leaders need to take and a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The process
First, you might not always do this but with this year's special circumstances, we think you should inform your students with resits by email what the arrangements for that process are (e.g. that they will be expected to submit their assignment in Brightspace). There are more details on the next page about what to include in your email.
The information needed to create Brightspace spaces for resits comes from SITS. We will create the spaces as soon as the information is available and inform staff when they are ready. Note that due to delays in marks being entered, this could be as late as the Exam and Progression boards.
Resit sites will look like the picture opposite (click to enlarge). Its title will be composed of the module code (as it was in Blackboard), the module name, and the word RESIT at the end.
There will only be one item in the Table of Contents, which will say ‘Please submit your assignment here’. This is where your students will go to submit their resit assignments.
Initial communication to resit students
Our advice would be to craft an email that includes the following elements:
- Details of the particular unit/module the resit relates to;
- The fact that they will be expected to submit their resit assignment in Brightspace (not Blackboard) and how to locate their resit unit/module in Brightspace;
- You and your students will be getting access to the resit spaces in Brightspace at the same time. To avoid any confusion on the part of your students, you might want to let them know that you'll need a little time to create the assignment submission point for their resit and that you'll contact them when it's available;
- That they should download any study materials they want from Blackboard before the end of July;
- A link to the Student Support web site which includes a link to the EDU Resits: Student guidance RLO (includes notes on results and support).
Check that you can see your resit units/modules in Brightspace
The information needed to create Brightspace spaces for resits comes from SITS. We will create the spaces as soon as the information is available and inform staff when they are ready. Note that due to delays in marks being entered, this could be as late as the Exam and Progression boards.
Resit unit/module names will feature the unit/module code (same as Blackboard), the unit/module name and the word RESIT at the end.
To locate your resit units/modules, use the Select a course waffle icon at the top of the screen and either search for them from the dropdown list, or by name (opposite).
Click on the appropriate module name and and make sure you can see something that looks like the picture opposite. The unit/module should only have one item in the Table of Contents - where students will submit their assignments.
The deadline for assignment submissions is August 9th.
Creating an assignment in Brightspace
To make your resit site ready for students, you need to add an assignment to the only placeholder in your Table of Contents - the item that says 'Please submit your assignment here'.
Once downloaded, you can print the checklists to work through them while you set up your resit assignment space. Alternatively, you can open the checklist in Word and check off items as you complete them.
Resits checklists
From your homepage, navigate to Course Tools and then Assignments.
Once you have entered the Assignments tool, you will be able to create new assignments by clicking on the blue 'New Assignment' button.
Once you have clicked on the blue 'New Assignment' button, you will be taken into the assignment editor. In there, you can see 4 tabs labeled 'Properties', 'Restrictions', 'Objectives', and 'Turnitin'.
Start in the 'Properties' tab by giving your assignment a name, then add Instructions as appropriate.
Scrolling down, beneath Instructions, you will see a variety of Submission, Completion and Categorization options - complete as appropriate to your resit (these options are fully explained in the table opposite).
Submission, Completion and Categorization options
Assignment Type | Here you can choose whether the assignment will be an individual assignment or a group assignment. Individual assignments are visible to all students in the module. If you have set up groups, though, you can make an assignment availabe to a group only. |
Submission Type | Choose from the drop-down menu what type of assignment you would like to create. Your choices are:
|
Files Allowed Per Submission | This allows you to select whether you would like to allow students one file only or multiple files. |
Submissions | This allows you to choose which and how many student submissions you would like to keep. |
Notification Email | Enter an email address here to be notified when students submit an assignment. |
Category | If you have many different assignments, you can create different categories to make it easier for you and students to navigate the assignment tool. |
Evaluation and Feedback
Score Out Of | Here, you can enter the max score for your assignment. |
Grade Item | This allows you to connect your assignment to a grade item or to create a grade item that you can link your assignment to. |
Student View Preview | Once you have entered a score above, you will see how the score will be displayed to students. |
Rubrics | This allows you to attach an existing rubric or to create a rubric that you can attach to the assignment. |
ePortfolio Artefacts | If you check this box, students can add this assignment to their ePortfolio. |
Anonymous Marking | If you check this box, students will not be identified by name when you are marking. |
The Restrictions tab is where you define availability and any relevant release conditions.
Hidden from users | If you check this box, the assignment is not visible to students yet. NB: Make sure this box is not checked. |
Due Date | This allows you to set a due date for the assignment which will be automatically visible to students in the Brightspace calendar. After the due date, students will not be able to make submissions anymore. |
Availability | This allows you to select a start date at which time the assignment will become visible to users, as well as an end date at which time the assignment will no longer be visible to students. |
Release Conditions | This allows you to attach an existing or new release condition. This means that students will have to do something else before the assignment becomes visible to them. |
Special Access | This allows you to give special access to users. You will be able to select users from your classlist. This is a useful tool, for example, if you need to extend the due date for individual users. |
If you intend to use Turnitin as part your resit assignment, once you have completed all relevant information in the Properties tab switch to the Turnitin tab and 'Enable GradeMark for this folder'. Once enabled, you will be able to select from the various associated options such as Originality Check.
Once you have all the information relevant to your resit assignment in the Properties, Restrictions, Objectives and Turnitin tabs, click Save and Close at the foot of the screen.
Study materials in Blackboard
Please do not remove any materials from Blackboard that your students might need for studying.
Marking in Brightspace
Resit Marking
Results
Although you will be using Brightspace instead of Blackboard for resits this summer, the key message around grading and the communicating of results, is that you should follow your established processes, i.e. final results will be made available to students via UHI Records.
What students will do and see in Brightspace when submitting their resit
Resits - What students do and see
Support
Students will be informed that support is available to them throughout the resit process. The same goes for staff. The principal sources of support for you before, during and after resits are:
- Brightspace Champions - your local champion/s are your first port of call for support on creating assignments, grading and communicating with students via Brightspace;
- UHI Servicedesk – another option for technical questions about Brightspace is the Servicedesk which you can contact by phone, email, live chat or via the Self service portal.