The concept of the digital university is often raised as a major issue within HE developments. Many universities have digital elements but still operate on a pre-digital basis. This webinar will outline how the piloting of the Grades Journey Solution at Glasgow Caledonian University is a microcosm of what a university has to address if it claims to be digital. Jim will share the results of their pilot and the intended outcome e.g. a simplified workflow for the single input of grades and their extraction into the SIS.

1. Marks Integration and the
Digital University: Our
Experience of Using
Blackboard's Grades Journey
Solution
Jim Emery, Lecturer in Blended Learning,
Glasgow Caledonian University

2. 22
GCU context
IS = GCU IT Dept
ISIS = GCU Student Information System
“GCULearn” =Blackboard

3. 3
SIS VLE
Transfer of staff, students
and modules
SYSTEM INTEGRATION
MODEL
ASSESSMENTS
Manual input of Marks

4. 44
Towards a Digital University
Strategy 2020 @ GCU
“Develop our digital education environment
and expand the use of learning technologies
to enhance the student experience, support
high-level digital literacy, scale up our online
and distance learning offerings and increase
the connectivity of our campuses and
communities”

5. 55
Marks Integration Drivers
PWC Audit
Student Satisfaction
Staff Satisfaction
Wider Efficiencies Agenda

6. 66
Marks Integration Process (Admin)
Improved Basic Process
MLMTPA
Downloads
Improved MMR
(MMS)
Sends to MLs 3
weeks after start of
teaching
Inputs marks into
MMS (including
absences and
extensions, Non
submits)
ML distributes to
MTs
Send marks to ML
Collates marks Sends to PA
Inputs marks into
ISIS
Send ISIS improved
MMS to ML
Data checked using
checking application
(Unix Diff)
ML confirms ISIS
marks OK via
standard email
PA saves
confirmation email
in central file
How could this
collection and
collation be
improved?
Would it be possible
for PA to check ISIS
data using
application? Would
MLs be OK with
this?
Temp workforce?

7. 77
Assessment Lifecycle
: MMU + JISC

8. 88
Marks Integration Framework

9. 99
SIS view

10. 1010
Blackboard Structure

11. 1111
Assessment Flexibility
TurnitinUK Placements
Social Media
eg Wikis
“Traditional” exams

12. 1212
“Too many Clicks”

13. 1414
Pilot Evaluation Issues
Module descriptors not declaring all assessment
components
All instructors on module can transfer marks
Grade centre locked after marks transfer
Support resources only used by 50% of participants
(pressure on LT support)

14. 1515
Current Situation
Awaiting full feedback from volunteer participants but
standard workflow implemented
Partial locking of Grade centre is vital
Composite sites resolved
Resit modules to be addressed
Rollout plan recommended for 2016/17

15. 1717
Comments
“If the marks that the Module Leaders put into Grade Centre are carried
over ...it would save alot of time and there is less chance of error when
the marks are only entered once”
“This process seems to be time efficient, cuts down the chance for human
error ....I feel much more confident in what I am doing”.

16. 1818
Moving Towards a Digital University
@ GCU?
Any Questions?
j.emery@gcu.ac.uk
@gcujime
j.emery1262

17. 1919
Webinar Survey
Please take a few minutes to let us know your thoughts.
http://bit.ly/28OVLoo
The Grades Journey Resource Centre
For more information about the Grades Journey click here:
bbbb.blackboard.com/GradesJourneySolutionExplained
Thank you for taking part in today’s webinar!
Questions? Please email AskUs@blackboard.com