--- title: "Creating an Assignment" type: "article" space: "Blackboard Ultra" author: "Anh Lam" created: 2022-11-03T18:07:55Z updated: 2026-10-22T15:11:49Z tags: ["additional-assignment-settings", "assessing-learning", "assignment", "assignment-and-test", "assignments-vs-test", "blackboard-ultra", "creating-an-assignment", "ultra"] url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/assessing-learning/15664/creating-an-assignment" --- # Creating an Assignment Assignments allow you to build virtual assessments for students. They are straightforward to use and allow students to submit digital documents easily. * * * ### Tests versus Assignments Tests and assignments are both considered Assessments. They differ in their settings and the submission types. - **Assignments:** Students are only able to submit digital documents. No questions are required. Make sure you plan the type of assessment you will use when you design the assessments for a course. In the following instructions, you will learn how to create Assignments. * * * ### Creating an Assignment 1. Select the **plus icon \(+\)**on the **Content**page. A drop-down menu is displayed. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=Xk1J4VwRWJGdSRLrF06EPw%3D%3D) 2. Select **Create** from the drop-down menu. The **Create Item** panel is displayed. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=eXh9m63M5UvX2NpCnZFZcw%3D%3D) 3. Select **Assignment**. **Note:**When you add an Assignment to your course, it is automatically set up in Gradebook. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=PNpIQzMdzeXkyv4ZbJM%2BSg%3D%3D) 4. Select the **title** to name the assignment. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=XdK3aChYvlR5aMDjnxeBCg%3D%3D) 5. Select the text box to enter instructions. Note: You can add pictures, attach files, and hyperlink to other resources, visit [Using the Text Editor](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/creating-content/16173/using-the-text-editor "Using the Text Editor") to learn more.  ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=xc9WUe5L%2B0TitDFz5j%2B6UA%3D%3D) 6. Select **Hidden from students**to change the visibility settings. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ADA16SWjF4A79o7xsWDWNw%3D%3D) For more information, visit [Changing Item Visibility and Setting Release Conditions](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/creating-content/16169/changing-item-visibility-and-setting-release-conditions "Changing Item Visibility and Setting Release Conditions"). 7. Select **Save**. **Note:**Students are able to submit documents, add text, images, files, and more. * * * ### Assignment Settings 1. Select the assignment from the Content page. 2. Select the **gear icon.** The Assignment Settings panel is displayed.![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=esFObJhSVJ0Msy4jBvGfbQ%3D%3D) 3. Select **Due date**to set the due date and time. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=xx0kXpGx968ggSZ05FtOaw%3D%3D) 4. Select options that apply for the assignment: - **Prohibit late submissions:** Late attempts are not accepted. Attempts in progress will be submitted automatically at due date and time. - **Prohibit new attempts after due date:** Students cannot start new attempts once due date and time has passed. - **Allow classroom conversations:**Allows students to collaborate with each other. For more information, visit [Using Class Conversations](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/communicating-and-collaborating/16257/using-class-conversations "Using Class Conversations") 5. Navigate to the **Grading & Submissions** section. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=yMlDGuu%2FdyFEt8NJdvw90w%3D%3D) 6. Select the appropriate options for **Grade category**, **Attempts allowed**, and **Grade using**, and update the **Maximum points** for the assignment. For more information about grade categories, visit [Using Gradebook Categories](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/assessing-learning/16175/using-gradebook-categories "Using Gradebook Categories") 7. Select any of the following to set additional grading options. ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=IyrmSA4PEPhGTrTyTbSZtg%3D%3D) - **Hide students names:**Submissions will not be attached to student names - **2 graders per student:**If your course has non-student graders enrolled, you can assign the graders to mark assignments. - **Peer review**: Allow students to evaluate each others' work. **Note:**You cannot use **Peer review** and **Prohibit late submissions**at the same time. - **Post assessment grades automatically:**This will post grades as soon as they have been marked. Without this feature turned on, assignments graded are saved in a draft format. You can manually release grades individually or as a whole. 8. Navigate to the **Additional Tools**section. 9. **Optional:** Select **Add grading rubric** to either create, or add an existing rubric. For more information, visit [Creating a Rubric](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/grading/15654/creating-a-rubric) ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ZxFSh7mxmSPQKe0%2BpY650g%3D%3D) 10. **Optional:** Select **Assign to Groups** to make a group assignment. For information on group assignments, visit [Creating and Assigning Groups](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/communicating-and-collaborating/15575/creating-and-assigning-groups "Creating and Assigning Groups"), [Creating a Group Assignment](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/creating-content/16172/creating-a-group-assignment "Creating a Group Assignment") , and [Grading a Group Assignment](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/grading/16241/grading-a-group-assignment "Grading a Group Assignment"). ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=djNgWO%2FVyKbRoJ19TSb9Pw%3D%3D) 11. Select **Enable SafeAssign**. For more information, read [Enabling SafeAssign for Assessments](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/grading/16252/enabling-safeassign-for-assessments "Enabling SafeAssign for Assessments") ![](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=pCrDa9IQljLZ2lZx22CZnA%3D%3D) 12. Select **Save**. Assignment Settings are saved. * * * ### Other Assignment Options There are a variety of other assignment options. Many will not apply, as they are relevant for tests. - **Access Code:** Generates a code that is required for students to access the assignment. - **Time Limit:**A max amount of time students can submit the assessment for. - **Goals & Standards:**This feature is not supported by Seneca's implementation of Blackboard Ultra. * * * ## Additional resources The following resource from Seneca's Accessible Learning Services provides practical guidance for applying approved extended-time accommodations to tests and exams. Faculty quick reference · PDF ### Extended time calculations for tests and exams Use this quick reference to calculate the total writing time for students with approved extended-time accommodations. The required multiplier is identified in the student's Accommodation Letter. Extended-time multipliers 1.25x 25% extra time 1.5x 50% extra time 1.75x 75% extra time 2x 100% extra time Example calculation A **60-minute test** with a **1.5x** accommodation provides **90 minutes of total writing time**. What's included in the guide? - A calculation chart for standard assessments from 30 to 180 minutes. - Examples of extended-time calculations. - Faculty responsibilities for providing approved extended time. - Guidance on ensuring assessment bookings and online time windows allow the full accommodated time. View the resource [Extended Time — PDF](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/files/24861/extended-time) * * * ### Video This short video covers creating an assignment and takes a quick look at assignment settings. * * * **How did you find this article?** Use the like button below if you found this article helpful. ## Attachments - [image_46106556981679564200596.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=PNpIQzMdzeXkyv4ZbJM%252BSg%253D%253D) - [image_3290627021730925351813.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=Xk1J4VwRWJGdSRLrF06EPw%253D%253D) - [image_43816828641730925520541.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=eXh9m63M5UvX2NpCnZFZcw%253D%253D) - [image_28543973251730926277795.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=XdK3aChYvlR5aMDjnxeBCg%253D%253D) - [image_50711936961730926421717.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=xc9WUe5L%252B0TitDFz5j%252B6UA%253D%253D) - [image_65232409171730927298669.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ADA16SWjF4A79o7xsWDWNw%253D%253D) - [image_35571680681730927411259.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=esFObJhSVJ0Msy4jBvGfbQ%253D%253D) - [image_13136493791730927766737.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=xx0kXpGx968ggSZ05FtOaw%253D%253D) - [image_294446911111730928274413.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=yMlDGuu%252FdyFEt8NJdvw90w%253D%253D) - [image_398552841121730928559526.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=IyrmSA4PEPhGTrTyTbSZtg%253D%253D) - [image_507443468131730928830310.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=ZxFSh7mxmSPQKe0%252BpY650g%253D%253D) - [image_734377086141730928905580.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=djNgWO%252FVyKbRoJ19TSb9Pw%253D%253D) - [image_124457033151730928968307.png](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/attachment?file=pCrDa9IQljLZ2lZx22CZnA%253D%253D)