Tip #82: Backing up the Grade Center

Tip: You can back up your Grade Center by downloading a copy of it in spreadsheet format.

Here’s how to back up your Grade Center:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.


2. Click on the Grade Center area of the Control Panel then select Full Grade Center in the expanded menu.


3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Work Offline button and select Download.


4. On the Download Grades page under Data, select Full Grade Center.


5. On the Download Grades page under Options, select Tab as the Delimiter Type.


6. Click Submit. A file containing the Grade Center data will be created.


7. Click on the DOWNLOAD button and choose where to save the file.
   NOTE: The file will be downloaded with an *.xls extension which will open in Excel.

Tip #81: Grade Center Text Columns

Tip: You can use text columns in the Grade Center to remember non-grade information such as a student’s preferred name or which class section they’re in.

Here’s how to create a Grade Center text column:

1. Log into your course and ensure Edit Mode is ON.


2. Click on the Grade Center area of the Control Panel then select Full Grade Center in the expanded menu.


3. On the Grade Center page, click on the Create Column button.


4. Type a Column Name, Grade Center Display Name (optional), and Description (optional).
   • NOTE: The Grade Center Display Name will only be displayed in the Grade Center.


5. Select Text for the Primary Display.


6. Enter zero for the number of Points Possible.


7. Select No for Include this Column in Grade Center Calculations as well as Show Statistics.
   • NOTE: If you do not wish students to see the information in this column, select No for Show this Column to Students as well.


8. Click Submit.


9. Enter the students’ new non-grade information in the new Grade Center column.

Tip #80: Known Issues

Tip: As with most new software, Blackboard 9 has a few bugs. In order to track these and help faculty be aware of potential problem areas, we have created a known issues list.

The complete known issues list can be found at http://www.twu.edu/blackboard/13251.asp

The following known issues are pervasive issues across campus which many users have experienced.

Blogs, Journals, and Wikis

Some users receive error messages and experience intermittent access when attempting to connect to blogs, journals, and wikis. Blackboard has applied a patch which has resolved the issue. If you continue to receive an error message, this issue can be resolved by clearing your browser cache.

To do so:
Close all browser instances then launch a single instance.

For IE8: Tools >> Internet Options >> Browsing History… >> Delete >> check Temporary Internet files, Cookies, and History >> uncheck Preserve Favorites website data >> Delete

For Firefox 3.5 or greater: Tools >> Clear Recent History >> set Time range to Everything >> check Cookies and Cache >> Clear Now

For IE7: Tools >> Internet Options >> Browsing History… >> Delete >> Delete files… >> Delete cookies… >> Delete history…

Safari: Tools >> Reset Safari >> check Empty the cache and Remove all cookies >> Reset

Exit and then re-launch the browser.

For other browser directions, see: http://www.bnl.gov/itd/webapps/browserCache.asp

If, after following these steps, the 404 error continues to occur, send an email to blackboard@twu.edu to let us know.

Discussion Board Attachments

Students are unable to view files that instructors have attached, and instructors are unable to view files that students have attached using the Visual Text Box Editor.

• Instructors should use the "Attach File" icon on the Visual Text Box Editor toolbar.
  
  
• Students should use the "Browse My Computer" button in the Attachments section below the Visual Text Box Editor.

HTML

Inserting HTML in areas of the course where HTML is not expected can cause parts of the course to be inaccessible or to not function. We suggest that HTML only be incorporated in text areas that have a related Visual Text Box Editor available.

Announcement, Assessment, Assignment, Discussion Board

If an item is setup with a start date but no end date or with an end date but no start date, the item cannot be modified.

For this reason, it is important to either set both a start date and an end date (even if the end date is dated far in the future) or set neither. Also, do not use both availability dates and adaptive release.

Know of other issues?
If you know of an issue that is not currently on the complete known issues list, please let us know at blackboard@twu.edu.