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Assessments and Grades in Blackboard App

Creating and managing tests in Blackboard App

Instructors using Ultra courses can preview and manage tests directly in Blackboard App. While full test creation is done in the web browser, the app allows you to:

  1. Navigate to Course Content.

  2. Select a test to preview it as students see it.

  3. Review test settings, including access codes, time limits, and question types.

The app supports:

  • All Ultra question types

  • Timed assessments

  • Rich text and media rendering

  • File attachments

  • Instructor feedback review

Tip

Group assessments and conversations for assessments are not supported in the app. For editing or creating tests, use the web browser version of Blackboard.

Creating and managing assignments in Blackboard App

Instructors can preview Ultra assignments in the app to see how students will experience them.

To preview an assignment:

  1. Go to Course Content.

  2. Select the assignment to view its details and structure.

Assignments support:

  • Rich text instructions

  • File attachments

  • Rubrics (viewable in the app)

  • Inline feedback and annotations (via Bb Annotate)

While you can’t create or edit assignments in the app, you can review submissions and provide feedback. For full assignment setup, including grading settings and availability rules, use the web browser version.

Tests and Assignments in Blackboard App

Blackboard App allows you to access, complete, and submit tests and assignments for Ultra courses directly from your mobile device.

To complete an assignment:

  1. Open your course and select the assignment.

  2. Review the instructions and select Start Attempt.

  3. Add content using the text editor or attach files from your device or cloud storage.

  4. Select Submit when you're ready or Save for Later if you need more time.

To take a test:

  1. Select the test from the course content or activity stream.

  2. Select Start Attempt and answer the questions.

  3. Use the editor to add text, files, or media if required.

  4. Submit your test when finished.

Ultra tests support all question types, rich text, file uploads, and multimedia. If your instructor has disabled drafts, you must complete the test in one sitting.

Note

Group assessments and conversations for assessments are not supported in Blackboard App.

Grading in Blackboard App

Blackboard App allows instructors to grade Ultra assignments on both phones and tablets.

To grade:

  1. Select More, then Grades or access Gradebook from a course.

  2. Select an assignment under Ready to Grade.

  3. Review the submission, add inline annotations, and enter a grade.

  4. Select Post Grade to publish it to students.

You can:

  • View submission summaries and class averages

  • Use rubrics to calculate grades

  • Annotate directly on submitted files

  • Add overall feedback

Tip

Grading for tests, group submissions, and discussions must be done in the web browser.

Grades in Blackboard App

You can view your grades and instructor feedback for Ultra courses directly in Blackboard App

To access grades:

  1. Select More, then Grades to see all your courses.

  2. Select a course to view recent grades and upcoming items.

  3. Select View More to open the full gradebook.

For each graded item, you can:

  • View your score

  • See submission dates and attempts

  • Read instructor feedback

  • Open attached files or comments

If your instructor used a rubric, you can view the criteria and scoring breakdown. Feedback may include text, files, or multimedia. Inline annotations on submitted files are also visible in the app for Ultra courses.

Note

Grades may be displayed as points, percentages, or letter grades depending on your instructor’s settings.

Using Bb Annotate for inline feedback

Bb Annotate lets you provide detailed feedback directly on student-submitted files.

To annotate:

  1. Open a student’s submission from the Ready to Grade list.

  2. Select the file to open the annotation screen.

  3. Use tools to highlight, comment, draw, or insert text and images.

Features include:

  • Page navigation and alternate views

  • Reusable comment libraries (on tablets)

  • Auto-save and sync across devices

Annotations are visible to students in the app for Ultra courses. For best performance, ensure files are under 300MB. Annotations are saved automatically and synced to Blackboard.

Due Dates in Blackboard App

Blackboard App helps you stay on top of your coursework by organizing all your due dates in one place.

To view due dates:

  1. Select Due Dates from the main menu.

  2. See a list of upcoming assignments and tests across all your Ultra courses.

  3. Select an item to go directly to the submission page.

Within each course, due dates are also shown next to each assignment or test in the Course Content area. The Activity Stream highlights newly added or updated items with due dates, so you never miss a deadline.

Push notifications can also alert you about upcoming or past-due items. You can customize these notifications in Settings, then Push Notifications. 

Due dates are automatically updated if your instructor makes changes, ensuring you always have the latest information.

Offline Content in Blackboard App

Blackboard App allows you to download course materials for offline access, so you can study even without an internet connection.

To download content:

  1. Open your course and go to Course Content.

  2. Select offline options.

  3. Choose Download all content or Select content to download.

You can download files, documents, images, audio, and video. Unsupported items like tests, assignments, and web links won’t be available offline.

To view offline content:

  1. Open the app while offline.

  2. Navigate to your course and select downloaded items.

Make sure to stay logged in before going offline. You can manage downloads and storage in Settings, then Offline Content.