Whether you use a Weighted Total column and/or the Total column, take a look at how the use of the Running Total option affects your students’ perception of their grade.

To experiment without adjusting an actual student’s grade record, click on the “Go To Student View” button located in the upper right corner under the tabs that say “My Blackboard” and “Courses.” Then use the Bb  Demo User that is created in your Grade Center. The Running Total option, ON or OFF, works the  same whether you use Weighted Total or not.

Running Total Off

The benefit of turning off the Running Total option is that you don’t have to enter zeros for any assignments a student doesn’t submit. The total possible points will calculate correctly using this option. Example: A student has taken Exam 1 but hasn’t submitted Assignment 1 which is past due. There are 115 total points for the course.

Running Total On

If you choose to go with the Running Total turned ON (click YES), then the Running Total option will require you to enter zeroes for all graded items that a student doesn’t submit. If no zeros are entered then the total possible points will not be calculated properly.

Example: A student has taken Exam 1 but hasn’t submitted Assignment 1. There are 115 total points for the course.

When using Weighted Total make sure the Running Total option for the Total column is set the same. Otherwise, the student view calculation won’t make sense.

For more information, see this video: https://youtu.be/6B6QA5eZUdI