Providing Feedback to Students Without a Submission Point

In Blackboard, you can provide feedback and marks to students for assignments that do not require a formal submission point. This feature is particularly useful for assessments such as Vivas, oral presentations, class participation, group discussions, or any assessment that doesn't involve uploading files or completing online assignments.

Important Note: Neither method supports Turnitin integration, as there are no student submissions to check. If you require students to submit files online (e.g., presentation slides), create a standard online submission point instead.

Method 1: Manual Gradebook Column

Manual gradebook columns are ideal for simple text feedback with marks and allow you to attach supporting files, but do not have feedback rubric functionality. You access these directly through the gradebook interface rather than the Course Content page. Students will see their grades and feedback in their gradebook view, but there won't be a dedicated assignment page with instructions or preparation materials.

When to Use This Method

Manual gradebook columns are most suitable when you need to:

• Provide straightforward feedback without complex rubrics
• Record grades quickly during or immediately after activities
• Attach supporting files or documents to your feedback

Suitable Activities

• Oral presentations with written feedback
• Group discussions and individual contribution assessment
• Practical demonstrations (lab work, skill demonstrations, hands-on activities)
• Attendance tracking (present/absent or engagement-based)
• Peer collaboration and teamwork assessment
• Viva voce examinations

Limitations

• No feedback rubric functionality for standardised evaluation criteria
• Limited to text-based feedback and file attachments only
• No dedicated instruction page for students

Setting Up a Manual Gradebook Column

1. Navigate to Gradebook in your Blackboard site
2. Ensure you are using the Marks view within Gradebook
3. Hover your mouse over any vertical border of a grade column until it turns purple
4. Click the Add content (+) icon and select Add Item
5. Provide a meaningful name for your new grade column
6. Edit the settings (visibility to students, due date, and 'grade using' schema if applicable)
7. Click Save when finished

Providing Feedback in a Manual Gradebook Column

1. Navigate to Gradebook and ensure you are in the Marks view
2. Click the cell corresponding to the student you wish to provide feedback to
3. Choose View from the drop-down menu
4. Add a mark by clicking the pill icon
5. Add your feedback in the text field
6. Optional: Create an audio/video recording or attach documents by clicking the Plus (+) icon and selecting Attachment
7. Click Save when finished
8. Click the Close window (×) button to return to the Gradebook Marks view

Method 2: Offline Submission Point

Offline submission points are ideal when you want to use feedback rubrics and provide detailed instructions for students. These assessments appear on the Course Content page and allow you to add instructions, files, and rubrics so students can prepare for the offline work. For submissions collected offline, you are limited to one attempt per student.

This method is particularly useful for grading in-class presentations using a marking rubric as students present, without needing to take separate notes.

Suitable Activities

• Oral presentations
• Competency-based labs and clinical skills
• Artwork delivered in person
• Face-to-face team building exercises, panel discussions, and debates

Setting Up an Offline Submission Point

1. Navigate to your Assessments folder in the Contents page of your Blackboard site
2. Hover your mouse over the horizontal line inside your Assessment folder
3. Click the Add content (+) icon and choose Create from the drop-down menu
4. In the side-window that appears, select Assignment
5. Add a meaningful name and assignment instructions
6. Configure the assignment settings by clicking the Cogwheel icon
7. Define the due date and tick 'Collect submissions offline'
8. Select the appropriate 'mark using' schema and attach a marking rubric (if required)
9. Click Save when finished

Providing Feedback in an Offline Submission Point

Initial Setup

1. Navigate to Gradebook and ensure you are in the Markable Items view
2. Locate and open the offline submission point

Choose Your Marking Approach

Option 1: Provide a mark only (no feedback)

• Click the pill icon and enter a grade
• Proceed to mark the next student's work

Option 2: Provide a mark and feedback

1. Click on the student name to open the Create Attempt window
2. Fill in the submission date and click Save

Important note: Students with created attempts will show Student Status as 'Submitted', meaning you can now grade their work

Providing Detailed Feedback (Option 2 continued)

1. Click on the student's name to open the submission interface
2. Use the pill icon at the top right to add a mark
3. Use the Overall Feedback panel to add your feedback
4. Optional: Create an audio/video recording or add attachments using the plus (+) icon and choosing Attachment
5. Complete the Marking Rubric (if available) following standard rubric guidance
6. Click Save Changes when finished
7. To override a mark, click on the Mark cell and change the numbers
8. When ready to release marks, click Post all marks at the top right

Additional Resources

For more comprehensive information about marking student work in Blackboard, please refer to the dedicated support article on marking procedures.

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