---
title: "Creating a Journal"
type: "article"
space: "Blackboard Ultra"
author: "Anh Lam"
created: 2022-10-25T14:15:39Z
updated: 2024-02-02T23:16:49Z
tags: ["blackboard-ultra", "creating-content", "creating-journals", "journal", "teaching-and-learning", "teaching-and-learning-centre", "ultra"]
url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/creating-content/15571/creating-a-journal"
---

# Creating a Journal

Journals allow students to communicate with you privately. By default, the journal will not be graded, but you can make it gradable by adding grading requirements to it.

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### Creating a Journal

1. Select **Content**.![Screenshot of step 1 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=D1%2BhiSFAPQZ2jkMZhnBlxg%3D%3D)
2. Select the **plus icon \(+\)**. A drop-down menu is displayed. ![Screenshot of step 2 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=Rzk578%2Bo%2B75ybcgS3M4zRA%3D%3D)
3. Select **Create**. The Create Item panel is displayed.![Screenshot of step 3 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=rMR4eXpT8PHgFaOhMo%2FJrQ%3D%3D)
4. Navigate to **Participation and Engagement**.
5. Select **Journal**. The New Journal page is displayed.

![Screenshot of step 5 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=cV7Zsbua1scI1i94%2FXy2vg%3D%3D)
6. Select the **title** to edit the name of the journal. ![Screenshot of step 6 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=QHDA5aIe5jWWCOW8bb78wg%3D%3D)
7. Select the **text box,** and enter a prompt. 
![Screenshot of step 7 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=X5uEQmdD2d0BYSefkrhyAA%3D%3D)
8. Select **Hidden from participants** to change the visibility of the journal. 
![Screenshot of step 8 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=SJZI33ufS0sf3nreU7p7JA%3D%3D)
9. Select **Save.**![Screenshot of step 9 as of Creating a Document explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=%2BeRGLfGNqsqp%2Fr5eB8OddA%3D%3D)

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### Editing and Deleting a Journal

1. Locate the **journal** you want to edit from **Course Content**.![Screenshot step 1 of Editing and Deleting a Journal as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=cOTnFK8YCox11IV3zrFCgw%3D%3D)
2. Select the **ellipses** \(next to the journal\). A drop-down menu is displayed.![Screenshot step 2 of Editing and Deleting a Journal as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ZO1dca8KJc4HRNVBRbYceQ%3D%3D)
3. Select **Edit**or **Delete**.![Screenshot step 3 of Editing and Deleting a Journal as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=pKG3iqEi8qIxlLftal6UlA%3D%3D)

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### Making a Journal Gradable

To grade a journal, you have to establish the following requirements: due date, time, and other performance criteria.

1. Locate the journal you want to edit from **Course Content**.![Screenshot of step 1 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=cOTnFK8YCox11IV3zrFCgw%3D%3D)
2. Select the **ellipses** \(next to the journal\). A drop-down menu is displayed.![Screenshot of step 2 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ZO1dca8KJc4HRNVBRbYceQ%3D%3D)
3. Select **Edit**.![Screenshot of step 3 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=95PCtou6QKsdZg6tip8nqQ%3D%3D)
4. Select **Journal isn’t graded** or the **gear icon.** The Settings panel is displayed.
![Screenshot of step 4 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=hmer6MvW7NE6qU08cSoTQw%3D%3D)
5. Select **Grade journal**. The Participation & Grading requirements are displayed.
![Screenshot of step 5 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=9z9YpihR3tLpNaKwQhotTg%3D%3D)
6. Complete the following requirements: **due date**, **grade category**, **grade using**, and **maximum points**. **Note:**Adding a rubric is optional. ![Screenshot of step 6 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=Vlkym19e19e6WiyH7gfWgQ%3D%3D)
7. Select **Save**.
![Screenshot of step 7 of Making a Journal Gradable as explained on this page](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=rzFBIhV%2BGbwnG7UCxiX9zg%3D%3D)

For more details on grading a Journal, see: [Grading a Journal](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/grading/16243/grading-a-journal "Grading a Journal").

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#### Notes:

- If there are no entries, you can change the journal from graded or not graded.
- Deleting a journal entry removes all comments as well.
- Deleting a graded journal will remove it from the Gradebook and the Course Content page.
- Once a journal is selected to be graded, a linked column in the Gradebook is automatically created.

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### Video

This short video covers how to create a journal.

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