Why is the UWE Marking tool end of life?
The UWE Making tools were introduced in 2012 and the technology that they are built on will no longer be supported by Blackboard beyond 2023.
What marking tools will be available to use in Blackboard?
- Spreadsheet Marking (not using the UWE Offline Marking tool)
- Grade Centre
- Grade Centre using Rubrics
What is the last date that I can use the UWE Marking tools?
The UWE Marking tools will be available in Blackboard courses until end of August 2023. However, where there is a specific need to use them beyond this date, we can provide access for a short-period of time on a case-by-case basis. The UWE Marking tool will be removed from Blackboard at end at the end of December 2023.
Why aren't the UWE Marking tools being replaced?
The UWE Marking tools are complex and would require significant time and resource to develop a replacement. All options are currently being reviewed by the Digital Learning Service, including the option to develop a replacement tool in Blackboard. The Digital Learning Service are also evaluating other tools, such as Inspera (for question type assessments).
What training will be available?
The Learning and Development Centre will be providing training on marking via the Grade Centre and Spreadsheet Marking (Marks and Feedback) Tool.
Please visit MyLearning for details.
Does the Grade Centre provide anonymous marking for assignments?
Yes, from the Grade Centre column for the assignment, there is an option to 'mark with usernames hidden' and this will take you through the student attempts anonymously.
We are in the process of developing an Allocation tool to help with allocating work in the Grade Centre - this will also provide a facility to mark anonymously.
How can I allocate marking using the grade centre?
There is currently no facility for allocation in the Grade Centre and so the allocation needs to be managed by the marking team manually. Some Grade Centre users create groups for the markers and then use smart views.
We are in the process of developing an Allocation tool to help with allocating work in the Grade Centre.
If using Spreadsheet Marking, marking packages can be created for specific markers so that they only mark the students in their package.
How do I carry out and record second marking in the Grade Centre?
There is no specific field in Grade Centre to record a second or resolved mark. The marking notes in the student attempt can be used to record the second or resolve marker comments and the first mark can be overwritten with the final agreed mark.
How do I prepare a sample for the External Examiner?
For work marked directly in the Grade Centre:
Where the marking has been carried out directly in the Grade Centre, our recommendation would be for the Module Leader to ask the External Examiner to view the submissions and marking done in the Grade Centre itself. External Examiners have full access to the Grade Centre and so you can just point them to the appropriate column in the Grade Centre and provide details of the students you want them to review.
For work marked using the Spreadsheet Marking (Marks and Feedback) tool or outside of Blackboard:
Where marking has been carried out outside of Blackboad, our recommendation would be for the Module Leader to gather a sample in to a zip package and upload to the External Examiner tool in Blackboard.
Further guidance for UWE academics providing samples for External Examiners is available.
Can I download assignments and mark offline?
If you wish to mark offline we would recommend using the Spreadsheet Marking tool to carry out your marking. Spreadsheet Marking guidance.
Alternatively, you can download assignment submissions using the 'assignment file download' function in the Grade Centre. You can also use the Work Offline > Download function to download a spreadsheet so that you can record marks. When ready, it is possible to re-upload the marked spreadsheet back into the Grade Centre using the Work Offline > Upload function. Work Offline guidance. Assignment File Download guidance.