This article is part of a series of articles explaining the new features and changes that will be introduced as part of the Blackboard upgrade scheduled for 26-28 July 2013.

New settings have been added to Tests enabling questions to be added to tests ‘on the fly’, and deployment options that allow exceptions and different settings to be given to individual students (e.g. to accommodate students with specific learning contracts) and rules for when results and feedback can be seen by students.

Adding test questions ‘on the fly’

When creating or editing a test (that has not yet been taken), clicking the ‘+’ sign that appears before or after a question enables you to insert a new question exactly where you want in the Test Canvas. You can then choose a particular question type or option to choose from existing questions, and the appropriate page will open allowing you to create a new or select an existing question or random block to add at that point. This will streamline the process of adding new questions to tests. Questions can also be added ‘on the fly’ when creating or editing surveys.

Adding test questions in Blackboard ‘on the fly’

Test Availability Exceptions

When deploying a test, the new Test Availability Exceptions allow you to select individual or groups of students and make a number of exceptions to those already applied to the test. You can use exceptions to accommodate students with specific learning contracts such as extra time, giving them an equitable attempt at the test and also reducing the administrative burden of creating multiple copies of the same test (and multiple columns in the Grade Centre) with a range of different deployment settings in order to accommodate all learners. Exceptions can be created for number of attempts, time allowed and the range of dates that the test is available. If conflicts in rules occur, the most permissive settings for that individual student or group of students is granted. For example, students would receive the greatest number of attempts, longest availability time, etc. Availability Exceptions can also be applied to surveys.

Test Availability Exceptions rules in Blackboard

Show Test Results and Feedback to Students

This test deployment setting enables you to choose when students are permitted to see results and feedback to that particular test. There are a range of rules that can be applied when you want students to see: their score, their actual attempt, only the questions they got correct or incorrect, and the feedback. You can choose to release this information at different times, including: immediately on submission of attempt, one-time only, on a specific date, after the Due Date, after the Availability End Date, or once all attempts have been graded. For example, you might want students to see their feedback immediately on submission of the test, but their score only after all attempts have been graded.

Test feedback and results release rules in Blackboard