FACULTY: How to Create Assignments

To create a new assignment in Blackboard:

  1. In the Content tab, click the (+) icon, then click Create and scroll down to Assignment.
    • A Gradebook item is automatically created when an assignment is created. This can be edited on the right-side panel under “Grade Category.”
  2. Add the assignment name at the top of the new assignment panel that opens.
  3. To add content to the assignment, click the (+) icon. 
    • Here, you can add text and files. You can also add questions, including mathematical equations. Clicking on Add Calculated Formula Question will automatically bring up often-used mathematical characters to edit the question easily within the description. 
    • Other options include: Essays, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank, Matching, True/False, and more.
    • Blackboard also lets you upload files from your computer and cloud-based services. 
  4. If you need to edit an assignment that has already been created:
    • From the course content, click the three dots (...) on the right side of the assignment and click Edit
      • Editing assignments should only be done before students have begun their submissions. 
      • You cannot change grade settings for an assignment if you have already graded other students’ submissions. 

Assignment Settings

  1. Clicking the gear icon next to “Assignment Settings” will bring up a detailed view of what can be changed about that particular assignment. These include:
    • Assigning a Due Date and allowing or not allowing late submissions.
    • Allow class conversations within the assignment. This can be helpful for students to ask you questions within the assignment or help each other out if it is a homework assignment.
    • Change Grade category and number of attempts
    • Add a Time limit
    • Add and change the Assignment Description
    • Enable the SafeAssign anti-plagiarism tool for the Assignment

Additional Information

For more information on assignments in Blackboard, see Create and Edit Assignments on the Blackboard webpage.