Important information if batch uploading papers to Turnitin

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Staff using a Blackboard marking workflow who require Turnitin similarity reports can batch download assignments from Blackboard and batch upload them to Turnitin. Since the move to the Turnitin LTI integration this functionality (zip file upload) is only available to Instructors via the Turnitin website (please contact DEO if you require instructions).
Batch upload via the Turnitin website should not be used if marking is to be done using Turnitin. Papers uploaded in this way will not sync with the Blackboard Grade Centre.
If marking with Turnitin is required papers must be submitted via Blackboard.

If you have any queries please contact digital-education@bristol.ac.uk

Questionmark scheduled maintenance Saturday 17 December 2022 09:00- 15:00

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Dear colleagues,

Questionmark Scheduled Maintenance: Saturday 17 December 2022 –  09:00-15:00

The purpose of the maintenance is to deploy system updates to ensure the ongoing reliability, security and up time of the platform.

During this time all users may experience service disruptions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If you have any questions, please email digital-education@bristol.ac.uk

[Closed] Re/Play timeout error message

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This issue is now resolved. See the updated blog post for the latest information. 

We are aware of reports of a timeout error message when trying to access Re/Play from a Blackboard course menu link (eg to the unit collection of recordings). The supplier has identified the issue is related to search based functions, and is working to resolve it as soon as possible. Recordings added or shared by other methods (eg added via the build content tools in Blackboard) are currently unaffected.

We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

[Open] Turnitin LTI assignment optional settings not being saved

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The DEO has identified an issue whereby optional settings chosen during creation of a Turnitin LTI assignment may not be correctly saved. These optional settings include Compare against options, Attach a rubric and the Generate Similarity Reports for student submission dropdown menu.

This has been reported to Turnitin and they are currently investigating the issue.

In the meantime, as a workaround, saving the assignment settings for future use upon assignment creation will ensure that the selected settings are correctly applied. This can be done when creating the submission point by:

  1. Opening the Optional settings
    Optional settings image
  2. Selecting the option Save these settings for future use
  3. Clicking Submit to save the changes.
    Additional settings image

Alternatively, instructors may wish to edit the assignment before use to check the settings, in which case any changes made during editing will be applied. To do this instructors will need to:

  1. Access the Turnitin submission point to reach the Assignment Inbox
  2. Click on the top right cog icon to access the settings
  3. Open Optional settings
  4. Modify the required settings
  5. Click Submit to save the changes.

We apologise for any disruption that this issue may cause. We will provide an update as soon as we have any further information from the supplier.

In the meantime if you have any questions please contact the DEO.

Questionmark scheduled maintenance Saturday 19 November 2022 09:00- 15:00

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Dear colleagues,

Questionmark Scheduled Maintenance: Saturday 19 November 2022 –  09:00-15:00

The purpose of the maintenance is to deploy system updates to ensure the ongoing reliability, security and up time of the platform.

During this time all users may experience service disruptions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If you have any questions, please email digital-education@bristol.ac.uk

[Closed] Some people cannot access Blackboard

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We are aware that a small number of people are getting an error message when they try to access Blackboard, such as “This site can’t be reached”. We are investigating the issue with the assistance of IT Services and Blackboard, and will update this blog when we have further information. In the meantime, anyone who is affected by this may be able to restore access by using the University’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) or the Windows Virtual Desktop.

The issue appears to originate in BT’s nameservers, so only people using BT as their Internet Service Provider should be affected.

Turnitin Assignments for Administrators – places available on training webinars

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Places are available on a new DEO webinar ‘Turnitin Assignments for Administrators’. This will cover how Instructors set up and manage assignment submissions using the new Turnitin LTI assignment. The session will include a demonstration and Q and A. Upcoming dates: 27th October, 1st November and 8th November.    Further information and booking (via Develop).

Clear your cache to prevent possible equation display issues

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The issue of equations not displaying properly in some browsers was resolved by Blackboard on 6 October. We have recently received reports that a small number of users have continued to experience issues with equations they have previously viewed in their browsers. As mentioned in our previous blog post, if an equation is not displaying properly for you, please clear your browser cache and cookies (using, for example, these instructions), then reload the page. This only needs to be done once on the device and browser being used, and can be done at any time (for example, in advance of taking a test which includes equations), after which the issue should not persist or recur.  

Hiding marks and feedback until ready for release

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Before exams, coursework or timed assessments are marked, schools should please ensure that Blackboard Grade Centre columns are hidden from students until marks and feedback are ready to be released. To prevent students from seeing marks too early, you should also ensure Total and Weighted Total columns are hidden. Check a column header for a circle with a red line through it which indicates the column is hidden from students.

Demonstration column

If it is not hidden, and you need to hide it, click the down arrow next to the column header and select Hide from students (on/off).

The menu to hide columns from students

If this option isn’t available, or if the column has a green tick next to it, you will need to hide it in a different way:

Total column

  1. Click the dropdown arrow next to the column name.
  2. Click Edit Column Information.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and set Show this column to students to No.
  4. Click Submit.

For more information on administering Electronic Management of Assessment workflows, please see our EMA guidance page.

If you have any questions, please email digital-education@bristol.ac.uk.