Student guide: Blackboard Ultra assignment submission

Essential guidance

• Ensure a file is not still open on your device when you choose to upload it. If it is open this can result in issues with uploading correctly.
• If possible, do not submit work just before any deadline is due. This will ensure you have given yourself enough time to resolve issues / contact the relevant staff contact if you encounter any technical issues or have any queries about the assignment.
• Ensure you have read all assignment instructions and descriptions, as well as potential additional instructions received via other staff communications (such as via course announcements or accompanying documents).
• Ensure you submit assignments from a stable internet connection from a laptop / PC. Do not attempt to submit work from a mobile device (browser or via the Bb app).
• Do not use Internet Explorer. Please see the following help page for further browser guidance; Bb browser guidance.

File format and size

• Only Word (.doc and .docx) and Acrobat (.pdf) file formats should be used for text based assignments. If you are not using Microsoft Word to create your document then you may need to ‘save as’ and select either the .doc, .docx or .pdf file format as the file type for your document to be saved as.
• It is good practice to use a concise naming convention for your documents. Keep file names as concise as possible while still being meaningful (there is a maximum limit to file names in Blackboard). Only use dashes (-) or underscores (_) for punctuation. Characters such as ampersands (&) or + signs will cause problems when uploaded, usually resulting in an error. Instead of punctuation, you could capitalise the first letter of each individual word in the file name, this makes file names without spaces easy to read e.g., ThisIsMyFile.doc. Examples of good file names: EssayTitle_draft.doc, myFileNameFINAL.docx, essay-title_final.pdf.
• You can check and reduce the size of your work. This may be necessary when submitting files to Blackboard.
• You can check on the size of your existing files by: PC – hover your mouse pointer over a file to see the current file size, or right click on the file and choose properties. Mac – click on a file to select it and use ⌘ + i
• You can resize images before embedding them into your work. Please access the following links to some quick guides on how to do this with several common applications; Resize using Microsoft Paint, Resize using GIMP (free software), Resize using PIXLR (free online app). You can also reduce PDF file size. Please access the following link for further guidance; reduce PDF file size.
• File size compression may result in some loss of quality so be careful about compressing too much. It may require a bit of trial and error to get the right balance between file size and quality.

Access a submission point

1. Click on the following link to access HYMS Blackboard Learn Ultra: https://blackboard.hyms.ac.uk
2. Authentication is via HYMS Microsoft 365 account details. Please access the following link to further guidance: log in to HYMS Blackboard.
   
3. Upon successfully logging in, you will then be redirected back to the new HYMS Blackboard Learn Ultra homepage. Navigate to the relevant course / organisation (community) area on the new left-hand ultra base navigation menu.
4. Search and select the relevant course / organisation from the listed content / by using the search engine.
5. You can then find your assignment submission points on the course content page, or in folders and learning modules.

   You can also access assignments in the activity stream, or in the default calendar if your instructor added due dates.

6. After you select an assignment, the details & information panel appears. View information such as the due date, number of attempts allowed, the time limit if imposed, and any grading criteria / rubrics.

   

7. Click on start an attempt. You will then be directed to the assignment submission page.

Submit

1. From the submission page you can submit your assignment via the submission box. It is not standard practice at HYMS to write any content directly into the submission box.  Please see the image below.
2. You can drag and drop files from your computer directly into the submission box.
3. Select save.
4. You can also click inside the submission box for the editor menu to appear. You can then alternatively select the paperclip attachment icon from the tool bar.
5. You can then select the correct document from your device.

   Ensure a file is not still open on your device when you choose to upload it. If it is open this can result in issues with uploading correctly.

6. You can then select save.
7. The document will then appear in the submission box.
8. You can select the delete icon in the top right-hand corner of the submission box if you have selected the wrong document.
9. When you are happy you have uploaded the correct document. Select to submit from the bottom right-hand corner.                                                                                               

   We do not advise that you save work and return to the submission point later to submit. We advise you complete all steps during one attempt.

10. You will then be prompted again to submit. Select submit again.
11. You will then see a success message with a copy of your receipt which you can download as an additional record of submission.

Check submission

1. Ensure that any uploaded content appears as expected on the submission page after clicking submit. Click on the submission point link again. Then select the attempt submitted.
2. Then select the submission.
3. Check the preview / download appears as expected.
4. Check your submission receipt. Upon successful submission, a receipt is generated and will be sent to your HYMS email account. You can run a general search of your emails if it does not appear as a new email in your inbox. Search for the key words ‘assessment submitted’ or from sender ‘do-not-reply@york.ac.uk <donotreply@blackboard.com>’.

Feedback and grading