Assessments Overview

Instructors use assessments to evaluate and measure student learning progress and understanding in a course.

Assignments

Many instructors require you to submit your assignments through Brightspace. To complete an assignment, you may need to download or attach files and work individually or with a group. Your instructor can allow single or multiple attempts for assignments.

If you need to resubmit a file for an assignment that only allows one submission, you must contact your instructor. The UB Learns support team cannot clear assignment submissions.

Submit and Confirm a Submission (Video)

Discussions

In some classes, particularly those that are taught completely online, instructors will use discussions as a way to allow for full-class conversations about relevant concepts.

Best practices for composing a new post.

Use a descriptive title
When creating a new thread, use a descriptive title so the subject of that thread is clear.
Begin with a topic sentence
Consider a discussion post like a mini essay. Make sure your peers know what you're stating right away.
Connect to the course content
When developing your discussion post make sure to connect your ideas and opinions to the course content
Demonstrate your own understanding
Show what you now know. You can do this by making connections and asking critical questions.
Add supporting evidence
Use evidence to support your claims or opinions. The evidence you include should help keep your post focused, clear and concise. Make sure to include course content and additional sources as necessary.
Get your peers engaged
Ask thoughtful and provoking questions to your peers to promote interaction. Getting your peers into the conversation helps deepen connections and overall learning.
Keep your post neat and tidy
Before you submit your post, make sure to review for spelling, grammar and mechanics. Reading your post out loud to yourself will help or, better yet, ask a peer to review it for you. Consider using a word processing program like Microsoft Word to check your spelling and grammar.

Responding to posts

Use the Reply button to respond to an existing thread, instead of starting a new thread.

Discussion Forum Decorum

Please refer to your course syllabus on discussion forum decorum in your course. In general, we suggest the following tips to keep discussion forums engaging and positive experiences for all:

Create meaningful responses
Responses should be meaningful. Simply saying “I agree” or “I disagree” does not add to the conversation. Add your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing to make the post more substantial.
Balance is key
Try to be balanced in your responses. Rather than pointing out all the negatives or positives, try to include both in your responses.
Be constructive
There is a thin line between attacking the argument and attacking the arguer. Remember, keep your responses civil. Even when other posters have crossed this line it is important to remain civil.
Alert your instructor about problematic posts
If someone posts something offensive or inappropriate it is important to notify you instructor so they can delete the offending post or clear up any misunderstandings.

Create a Discussion Post (Video)

Quizzes

Many instructors use UB Learns to administer tests and exams. In Brightspace, these are located in the Quizzes tool. Instructors can set up tests to include a timer, allow multiple attempts or if you must complete it in one sitting.

Lost internet connection?

If you lose your internet connection during a quiz, log back in as soon as possible. You will see a Continue Quiz button and all the answers that were saved before the connection was lost. Please be aware that timers continue to run, even if you lose your connection.

If your instructor set a timer, and the timer has expired, you must ask your instructor about the possibility of finishing the quiz. The UB Learns support team cannot clear quiz attempts.

Completing Quizzes in Brightspace (Video)

Why Can't I Access a Quiz? (Video)

Assessments Overview

On this page:

Assignments

Discussions

Discussion Board Tips

Best practices for composing a new post.

Responding to posts

Quizzes