How to retrieve a mean module mark from Blackboard

A mean module mark can be determined from Blackboard Grade Centre using a Weighted Total column that includes the grades from assessment tasks and weightings that are used to calculate the overall module mark. The Column Statistics for the Weighted Total column will automatically calculate the mean mark. You can use this to compare against mean module marks from previous years (up to 3 years). Please note that you will need to be on-campus or use a remote desktop (such as Horizon) to access the Average Module Marks report.

IMPORTANT: The Weighted Total column will automatically add a zero mark for non-submissions. There might be a number of students who do not have submissions. If you wish to exclude non-submissions, then you will need to download the Grade Centre into Excel and calculate the mean mark there.

How to retrieve a mean module mark

Either follow the instructions If you already have a Weighted Total column set up to calculate the overall module mark.

Or the follow instructions If you need to set up a Weighted Total column to calculate the overall module mark.

If you already have a Weighted Total column set up to calculate the overall module mark:

Step 1: Select Column Statistics from that column’s contextual menu (click the chevron  to open the menu).

 

Step 2: On the Column Statistics page, ensure that Show Statistics For is set to show Available Users only.

 

Step 3: In the list of Statistics, you will see the Average mark for the Weighted Total column.

If you need to set up a Weighted Total column to calculate the overall module mark:

Step 1: In Full Grade Centre, ensure that the grade columns for the assessment tasks that contribute to the module mark are set to be included in Grade Centre calculations. You can quickly determine settings for grade columns by selecting Quick Column Information from the grade column’s contextual menu (click the chevron  to open the menu).

 

Step 2: You can see if the grade column is set to be included in Calculations. Close the Menu.

Step 3: If you do need to update the setting so that the grade column is included in Grade Centre calculations, select Edit Column Information from the grade column contextual menu (click the chevron  to open the column).

 

Step 4: Scroll down the page to Options, then update the setting for Include this column in Grade Centre calculations to Yes and click Submit.

 

Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 above for all grade columns for assessment tasks that contribute to the overall module mark.

Step 6: To create the Weighted Column in which to calculate the average mark, go to Full Grade Centre and select Weighted Column from the Create Weighted Column menu.

 

Step 7: Under Column Information, enter a Column Name

 

Step 8: Ensure that the Primary Display is set as Percentage.

 

Step 9: Scroll to Select Columns. Select the grade columns for assessment tasks that contribute to the module mark from the Columns to Select list and click the ‘forward arrow’ to move them into the Selected Columns list. Enter the percentage weight for each grade column ensuring this mirrors the weighting for each task in SITS. 

 

Step 10: Ensure that Calculate as Running Total is set to No.

 

Step 11: All Options can be left unchanged, unless you wish your students to see this column.

Step 12: Click Submit. The Weighted Column will appear complete with weighted marks for the selected columns.

Step 13: Follow the instructions If you already have a Weighted Total column set up to calculate the overall module mark to view the Column Statistics for the weighted column.

 

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