Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren‘t the marks I‘ve entered in the Grade Centre, visible to SPS?
Can I map a calculated column?
Can I use Grade Column Mapping for one assessment with multiple elements but one end mark?
I’ve made some changes to the marks - can I map them again?
If a student has more than one marked attempt, which mark gets sent to ISIS?
Do students see the ISIS Grade Centre columns too?
Why can’t I just add the marks into the ISIS Grade Centre column?
Which Blackboard tools can have columns in the Grade Centre?
Why do I have lots of ‘total’ and ‘weighted total’ Grade Centre columns
I am expecting to use the Grade Mapping tool but it does not appear to be setup in my Blackboard course
When will the marks be available in ISIS?
I have a mark for a student that is not listed in the Blackboard Grade Centre
  • Why aren‘t the marks I‘ve entered in the Grade Centre, visible to SPS?

    Marks are only sent to ISIS when you carry out the final grade mapping step. Please see our guidance on How to submit your marks to ISIS (mapping your marks).

    If you believe you have carried out this process but your SPS team cannot see the marks in ISIS, please contact Learning & Research Systems for advice.

  • Can I map a calculated column?

    Yes. Calculated columns i.e. Grade Centre columns which are a computation of other Grade Centre columns, may be mapped.

    Important
    The total points possible in the calculated column must match the points possible recorded in ISIS for the assessment (provided in the email confirming assessment's inclusion in Grade Column Mapping). If it does not, please contact Learning & Research Systems for advice.

  • Can I use Grade Column Mapping for one assessment with multiple elements but one end mark?

    Yes. The end mark is what needs to be mapped rather than marks for the individual elements. This can be done either by creating a manual column in the Grade Centre to record the end mark, or if the individual elements have grade centre columns, by using a calculated column.

  • I’ve made some changes to the marks - can I map them again?

    Mapping should only be carried out once marking is concluded. ISIS and Blackboard Grade Centre columns can only be mapped once.

    If you have made changes after the columns have been mapped, you must contact your School SPS team and ask them to update ISIS manually.

  • If a student has more than one marked attempt, which mark gets sent to ISIS?

    Where a student has numerous attempts and potentially numerous marks, only the mark for the most recent attempt will be used. This is regardless of what attempt you have set to be visible in the Grade Centre.

  • Do students see the ISIS Grade Centre columns too?

    No. Instructors see both the ISIS Grade Centre column and the Blackboard Grade Centre column in the Grade Centre. Students will only see the Blackboard Grade Centre column in My Grades.

    Please be aware that the default setting is for Blackboard Grade Centre columns to be visible to students, however, it is possible for an instructor to hide them.

  • Why can’t I just add the marks into the ISIS Grade Centre column?

    Marks are extracted ready to be imported into ISIS at the point that mapping is carried out. If marks are entered directly into the ISIS Grade Centre column, this does not automatically send those marks to ISIS.

    The Blackboard Grade Centre column will record all the history behind the marking process including multiple attempts; overriding of marks; and feedback to students etc. The ISIS Grade Centre column will only contain the latest mark.

  • Which Blackboard tools can have columns in the Grade Centre?

    The following Blackboard tools can have Grade Centre columns which can be mapped:

    • Wikis
    • Blogs
    • Journals
    • Discussion Boards
    • Self and Peer Assessments
    • Tests

    When you create the item in your course, you need to ensure that you set it to be ‘Marked’ and enter a ‘Points Possible’ value.

  • Why do I have lots of ‘total’ and ‘weighted total’ Grade Centre columns

    When a course is created in Blackboard is has two default calculated columns in the Grade Centre: ‘total’ and ‘weighted total’.

    When a course is copied from one module run into another, if the instructor selects to copy the Grade Centre, then all the columns will be copied into the new course, whether or not they are being used. If you see duplicated columns, it is most likely that this is as a result of copying the Grade Centre and you should delete any unused or duplicate columns.

  • I am expecting to use the Grade Mapping tool but it does not appear to be setup in my Blackboard course

    The Grade Mapping tool is accessed from the Course Control Panel under Course Tools, and then Grade Column Mapping. If you do not see any any ISIS Grade Columns listed, you will need to speak with your School SPS team to get it setup in ISIS.

  • When will the marks be available in ISIS?

    When the columns have been mapped in Blackboard, the marks will immediately be extracted ready for import into ISIS. The marks are usually imported by your School SPS team within 24 hours.

  • I have a mark for a student that is not listed in the Blackboard Grade Centre

    You will need to speak to your School SPS team to check if the student has withdrawn from the module.

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