FACULTY: Adding an extra credit column to Gradebook

You can add extra credit in Blackboard Ultra so it adds points without changing the base total. It works best when your Overall Grade is set to Points. If your grade is Weighted, I’ve included two possible approaches.

Best option: Overall Grade = Points

  1. Create the extra-credit item (choose one):

    • Assignment: create an assignment and set Points possible = 0 so students can submit; or

    • Manual grade column: create a column with Points possible = 0 (no submission).

  2. Include it in the Overall Grade:
    Gradebook → Settings (gear) → Overall Grade → Edit calculation (Points) → confirm this zero-point item is included.

  3. Enter the bonus points when you grade.
    Because it has 0 points possible, any score you enter is added on top of the Overall Grade without changing the base total.

If your Overall Grade = Weighted

A) Easiest when the bonus applies to a full category

  1. Create the extra-credit item (assignment or manual column) with Points possible = 0.

  2. Place it in the category that should receive the bonus (e.g., “Homework”).

  3. In Overall Grade → Edit calculation (Weighted), keep your categories totaling 100%.

  4. Grade the zero-point item to award the bonus within that category.

B) To add extra credit to the total course grade

  1. Create the extra-credit item with Points possible = 0 (do not include it in any weighted category).

  2. Create a new Calculated column that adds your Weighted Overall Grade + the zero-point extra-credit item.

    • This gives you one “final” column showing 100% plus any bonus points.

    • You can set this new column as the External Grade if desired.

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