Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Weighted Columns: Equally vs Proportionally


Grades can be weighted both equally and proportionally in Blackboard depending on the point values of each grade center column.  Using the Weighted Total Column will allow application of weighted percentages (rather than a summed total of points which is the Total Column’s function).  Both Total and Weighted Total columns are available in the Grade Center by default.

Weighted Total Column- A Weighted Column calculates and displays a grade based on selected assessments, or categories of grades, to calculate the total grade.
Instructions for creating a weighted column are below:
Weighted Grade Column
The following displays the workflow for creating a Weighted Grade Column based on four (4) columns:

  • Mid-term Exam = 20%
  • Final Exam = 30%
  • Assignments Category = 25%
  • Quizzes Category = 25%



To create the Weighted Grade Column, do the following:


  1. Move the cursor over the Create Calculated Column icon in the Action Bar of the Grade Center.
  2. Select Weighted Column
  3. Enter a Column Name.
  4. Enter a Grade Center Display Name.
  5. Enter a Description.
  6. Select Primary Display and Secondary Display options from the drop-down menus available.
  7. Select the items to be included in the Weighted Grade Column, and enter the percentages for each Column or Category to be included in the Weighted Grade.



Columns to Select – A list of all columns in the Grade Center. Select the Column and click the arrow to add it to the Weighted Grade column.

*Categories to Select – A list of all Categories in the Grade Center. Select the category and click the arrow to add it to the Weighted Grade column.

*With a weighted total column Blackboard assumes equal points per assignment unless you specify otherwise.  You have to specify proportional if the total available points is different for each assignment.


If you’re weighting by category AND you have different points associated with different assignments within the same category you should weight proportionally.  Blackboard will calculate the weighted total by dividing by the total points available and not assume each assignment is worth the same amount of points.  OR you could make all of your assignments worth 100 points and keep it at equally.