Downloading Student Submissions
To accelerate the grading process, you can download submitted student work into a single ZIP file, then unzip or expand the file to view each student's submitted work. Each submission is saved as a separate file with each student's username.
You can download files students upload to assignments in Blackboard. You cannot download the following:
- Exams or tests including those that contain essay question responses
- Discussion responses
- Group work submissions
For more information, watch this short video on Downloading Student Submissions/Uploading Annotated Feedback.
See also:
How to Download Submissions
You may download submissions by individual student or all submissions at once.
To download submissions:
1. Enter the Gradebook and go to the grades tab. Find your assignment of choice.
2. Click on the cell of the desired assignment, then select “View”.
3. There are two options for downloading student submissions: (1) download file in original format submitted by student (2) download file as a PDF.
Downloading in the Original File Format: In the upper right corner (highlighted by the red box), you will see a small icon prompting you to download the file in its original form.
Note: If the student turned in multiple items, you will instead see a drop-down menu in this area prompting you to select your file of choice.
Downloading in the PDF Format: If you instead click on the download option within the black annotations menu (highlighted by the red box), you will always download the file as a PDF regardless of the form that it was submitted.
1. In the “Grades” view, locate your assignment of choice and select the small icon above it. This will open a menu. From here, select “Download Submissions”.
2. You will be brought to a page displaying your students and the dates when (if ever) they submitted their work. Check the boxes next to your students of choice or select the box at the top of the page to highlight everyone. Click on the “Create Zip File” option in the bottom right corner of the screen.
You will be sent a message in your Blackboard course (under the "Messages" tab) prompting you to download a ZIP file. This file will contain each submitted item in its original format and additional comments made by students in the form of TXT files.
Once you have made edits and notes on your students’ downloaded submissions, you may re-upload them using the Overall Feedback space.
1. Re-enter the grading view and ensure the right panel (highlighted under the red box) is open.
2. Under the “Overall Feedback” area, click on the plus icon and select the “Attachments” option. This will open your file explorer where you may locate and double-click on your file to upload it.
3. Save your work and post your grades if necessary. Your students may view this file as they review their scores.