Blackboard – Preparing for online assessment

Student Guide: This guide is to support you if you are submitting work online or doing online assessments in Blackboard.

Recommended Software

Follow any guidance from your module instructor about software and formats recommended when completing assignments

Blackboard links

We do not recommend using the Blackboard Learn app if you are submitting assessments or taking a test. The app does not support all the functions of Blackboard Original courses.

• Use this link to open Blackboard in a Browser either from a computer or module device. Do not use the mobile Learn app for submitting assessments.
• The Blackboard link in the MySouthampton app opens Blackboard in a Browser so you can use this link to submit assessments.

Supported Web Browsers

We recommend you use either Chrome or Firefox browser to access Blackboard. We do not recommend Edge Browser if you are taking a Blackboard Test.

• Follow this link to run the Blackboard Browser Checker. This will tell you if your Browser is supported for use with Blackboard (you will see a green tick if your Browser is supported).

Creating documents with Microsoft 365

We recommend you use your Microsoft account for any document creation and storage. You can work on or off-line with Microsoft 365 and your work will be automatically saved to your OneDrive.

Follow this link to sign in to your University Microsoft 365 account This gives you access to applications such as:

• Word
• Excel
• PowerPoint
• OneDrive storage

For more information on using Microsoft 365, please refer to the Univeristy Microsoft 365 Support Centre guides.

Creating a PDF from scanned, handwritten answers

You will need to scan handwritten answers and save them in PDF format. You can do this using a University printer, or a mobile device with a recommended scanning app.

See this guide to submitting scanned, handwritten assessments online for full details.

Using OneDrive to save your work

We recommend you save all your work to your University OneDrive account so that it is secure and backed up. You can submit directly from your OneDrive, and other cloud storage services, by selecting the option to upload from Cloud Services or Cloud Submission, available in most assessment systems.

See this guide for more information on getting started with OneDrive.

Guides for submitting online

The application that is used for your assessment will depend on the type of assessment you have been set. Information on how to submit your work should be included on your Blackboard course, ahead of your assessment. If you are not sure which type of submission you will be using, or you have other questions, please contact your lecturer.

Turnitin Assignments

Turnitin is used to submit essays, dissertations, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets and typed answers. Submissions can be checked for plagiarism.

• See the Turnitin Student Guides for information on submitting to Turnitin and finding your digital receipt.
• File format: usually: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel or PDF. See the Turnitin guide to file requirements if you need more information on other file formats.

Blackboard Assignments

Blackboard Assignments may be used to submit handwritten answers, non-text-based submissions and group work.

• See the Guide to Submitting to a Blackboard Assignment.
• File format: PDF for scanned handwritten notes. Many file formats can be submitted to a Blackboard Assignment. See this guide for the full list of supported file types.

Blackboard Tests

Blackboard Tests are used for multiple-choice and defined response-type questions and short-answer questions.

• See the Guide to taking a Blackboard Test to make sure you are prepared.

Panopto Assessment

Panopto may be used for submitting video and audio files.

• See this guide to recording or uploading a video submission using Panopto.

Checking your submission receipt

It is very important that you receive a submission receipt.  Confirmation of final submission will display on your screen after successful submission.

If you do not see a submission receipt, your submission may not have been successful and you will need to try again. If you have any issues with submission, please contact your School Office as soon as possible.

Where to find your submission receipt

• Turnitin – how to view and download your digital receipt.
• Blackboard Assignment – how to check your submission.
• Blackboard Test – check your test is saved and submitted.

Troubleshooting

What do I do if my file is too large to submit

• Follow the link to this guide for guides to file size limits and help with compressing large files.

Further help and support

If you have academic questions about the content or style of your assessment, please contact your module lecturer in advance.

The Student Hub – 24/7 support.
If you have any queries or concerns, The Student Hub is your first point of contact. Come see us across our campuses from 08:00-20:00, or you can contact us 24/7 via email, online chat, or by calling 02380 599 599.  

If you have technical issues uploading files or connection issues during your assessment.
Take screenshots or photos of the error notices on your screen. Make sure they clearly show the time, internet provider and date. Submit the evidence as soon as you can via a Special Consideration request to let the University know.