Assignments
Assignments can also be thought of as drop-boxes. Your instructor creates assignments and makes them available; most should be in module folders in the Lessons content area. You can also access assignments in the calendar if your instructor uses the calendar for due dates. Within the assignment, your instructor provides the instructions and files that you need. For your submission, you can type directly on the assignment page (Text Submission) or you can attach files (Attach a File).
Rubrics might also be available to you either before or after the assignment is turned in, or both, so that you are aware of how you are being graded. Grades and feedback can also be provided online – making the entire process paperless. Assignments are not graded automatically. Your instructor needs to grade each assignment. You can review the information provided by your instructor in My Grades or on the assignment's Review Submission History page.
Below are examples of an assignment. In the coure, click the name of the assignment (in these examples, Module 1 Homework) to access the assignment.
If it is a regular assignment (the first one shown above), the next screen will look similar to the image below. Turnitin Assignments require students to upload a file. The document is processed through a plagiarism software. Review the Plagarism section on this page. Your instructor may choose to use SafeAssign, another plagiarism software. Your instructor will give more details on Turnitin or SafeAssign assignments.
Video Tutorial
View Assignment Overview for general information on assignments. Also, view How to Submit an Assignment in Blackboard Learn for a step-by-step demonstration on submitting assignments and more information about assignments.
Tips for Submitting Assignment
- Pay close attention to the assignment instructions - the process may vary from course to course.
- Know where you save files. You will have to locate the files to upload as an assignment.
- If you are allowed to submit an assignment more than once, take advantage of your instructor's revise-and-review process.
- Submit your assignment in the file formats your instructor requested.
- Include your name as part of the file name, unless you are told otherwise by your instructor ...but, you should also keep file names as short as possible, and do not use any punctuation or special characters in the name.
- While submitting, click on the "Submit" button once, and wait, even if it looks like nothing is happening. This is normal- average-sized files can take 1-2 minutes to upload, and large files take much longer. Do not keep clicking the "Submit" button or you'll just slow it down even more.
- Look for a green "Success" bar near the top of your computer screen to confirm that Blackboard has accepted your submission. You may have to scroll up to see it.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a serious offense with serious consequences. Merriam-Webster defines plagiarize as any of the following:
- Using the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words or ideas.
- Stealing and passing off—the ideas or words of another—as one's own.
- Using (another's production) without crediting the source.
- Committing literary theft.
- Presenting as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.
Few people consider copying from the web serious cheating. However, anything published on the web is considered an original expression of an idea, which is protected by copyright laws. Make certain that work you submit via Blackboard is your own work and that you always cite your references. . As the old saying goes, better safe than sorry.
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