Create Weighted Columns in the Gradebook

If your course is in Original Course View, see the Original Course View tutorial collection.

What is a Weighted Column?

Create weighted columns in your Gradebook by adding a calculated column. These weighted calculations generate a grade that is based on the result of the selected graded items, categories, other calculations, and their respective percentages.

Procedure

A calculation is a formula that produces a numerical result used to view or assign grades. You can create your own formulas and use common math operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and use group operators.

You can add calculations based on the average, total, maximum, or minimum of the variables you include, such as categories, graded items, and other calculations. You can add as many calculations as you need.

1. In your Gradebook, select the purple plus sign where you want to add the weighted column and select Add Calculation.

3. At the top, name the new column. Optionally, add a description and make the calculation column visible to students. Students see calculated grades on their Grades pages, but they don't see your descriptions or formulas.

4. Determine how the result of the calculation appears. In the Select a Grade Schema menu, choose Points, Percentage, or Letter.

5. Create your formula. In the left pane, click a function, variable, or operator to add it to the right pane.

Example

Your Blackboard Ultra course has four tests and a final exam. You want to use the following formula to weigh each for a "Weighted Tests" calculation.

Basic formula:

Test 1 x .15 + Test 2 x .15 + Test 3 x .15 + Test 4 x .15 + Final Exam x .40

• Select tests individually by clicking Variable from the menu, hover your mouse over the newly added variable tab, and select the first test. 
• Select the multiplication operator.
• Select Value, this will insert a value field you can type into. Add the percentage for each test, such as .15.
• Add the addition operator
• Repeat the above steps until you have created the above formula. You can include parenthesis as well to follow order of operations. The calculation is valid either way and produces the same result.

6. Click Save.

Note: Students won't see the weighted column until it has a grade and you make the item visible to them.

Functions and Variables

• Average: Generates the average for a selected number of graded items, categories, and other calculations. For example, you can find the average score on all tests.

• Total: Generates a total based on the cumulative points, related to the points allowed. You can select which graded items, categories, and other calculations are included in the calculation.

• Minimum: Generates the minimum grade for a selection of graded items, categories, and other calculations. For example, you can find the minimum score on all assignments.

• Maximum: Generates the maximum grade for a selection of graded items, categories, and other calculations. For example, you can find the maximum score on all discussions.

• Variable: Select an individual graded item or calculation from the menu. You may only add one variable at a time. Continue to add variables from the left pane to add as many variables as you need.

Operators

• Add ( + )
• Subtract ( - )
• Divide ( / )
• Multiply ( * )
• Open Parenthesis (
• Close Parenthesis )
• Value: After the text box appears in the formula, click in the box to add a numeric value. You can include seven digits before a decimal point and four digits after it. When the calculation is generated and appears in students' grade pills, only two digits appear after the decimal point.