Version 3 of this resource is now available. https://www.slideshare.net/sharonlflynn/assessment-options-in-blackboard-v3 First draft of an overview of the various tools on Blackboard at NUI Galway that can be used to support assessment activities. All comments welcome

1. Tool How to Set Up
Linked to
Grade Centre
Can give
feedback to
students
Can use
rubrics
How students
access grades
and feedback
Used for
Blackboard
Assignment
Add Assessment >
Assignment
Automatic
Yes, using
Blackboard tools
Yes Via My Grades
Submission
management, grading
and feedback
Turnitin
Assignment
Add Assessment >
Turnitin
Assignment
Automatic
Yes, using
GradeMark
Yes, can use
GradeMark
rubrics
Via the assignment
link
Originality checking,
grading and feedback
MCQs, EMQs
and other
tests
Control Panel >
Course Tools > Tests,
Surveys and Pools
By default, but can
change setting
Yes, can control
level of feedback
and when it is
available.
No
Via the test link,
depending on
deployment settings
Quizzes, self tests,
continuous assessment,
high stakes assessment
Journal Add Tools >
Journals
If grading
indicated during
setup
Yes, in comments
and/or grading
area.
Yes Within the journal Reflection
Blog Add Tools > Blogs
If grading
indicated during
setup
Yes, in comments
and/or grading
area.
Yes Within the blog
Group reflection,
collaboration
Wiki Add Tools > Wikis
If grading
indicated during
setup
Yes, in comments
and/or grading
area.
Yes Within the wiki
Collaboration, group
work
Video
Assignment
Add Tools > More
Tools > Media
Gallery
No. Would have to
manually create a
column in Grade
Centre.
No facility to give
feedback.
No Not applicable
Reflection, groupwork,
storytelling, video
projects
Peer Assessed
Assignment
Add Assessment >
Turnitin
Assignment
Automatic
Yes, by peers and
by instructor.
Not applicable
Via the assignment
link
Peer assessment

2. Blackboard
Assignment
Turnitin
Assignment
MCQs,
EMQs, tests
Journal Blog Wiki Video
Discussion
Board
Essays,
academic
writing
Yes Yes No
Yes – an
alternative to
an essay
Yes – an
alternative to
an essay
If well
structured
No No
Plagiarism
prevention
No Yes
Yes – difficult
to plagiarise
answers
No No No
Yes – asking
students to
create a video
makes it difficult
to plagiarise
No
Reflection
Yes –
reflective
essay
Yes –
reflective
essay
No – unless
questions are
very carefully
designed
Yes
Supports
group
reflection
Yes – if
assignment is
planned for
reflection
Yes
Can support
group
reflection
Discussion No No No No
Yes – students
can comment on
each others’
posts
Not ideal
Not embedded
in tool, but could
link to discussion
board
Yes
Group work
and
collaboration
Yes – can submit
a group
assignment or
report
If PeerMark is
used
No No Yes Yes
Yes – group
videos
Yes
Critical
Review
Depending on
the essay
requirement
Using
PeerMark,
review
others’ work
No
Depending on
the
requirements
Yes – if directed
to read and
comment on
others’ posts
Yes – if
assignment is
planned for
critical review
Not
embedded in
tool
Yes – if
assignment is
planned for
critical review
Testing
knowledge
and
understanding
Depending on
the essay
requirement
Depending on
the essay
requirement
Yes
Depending on
the
requirements
Depending on
the
requirements
Depending on
the
requirements
Yes – can be
used very
effectively for
demonstrating
understanding
Depending on
the
requirements