Need the gradebook up in under 60 seconds?
Click Grades → Setup Wizard → Start → pick your system (Weighted, Points, or Formula) → Continue. Done.
What’s happening inside Brightspace Gradebook
Brightspace Gradebook—officially called “Grades” in the navbar—is where every numeric or letter score for assignments, quizzes, discussions, or participation lives. Picture it as the central scoreboard for your course. You get to choose how points are calculated (Weighted, Points, or Formula), link scores from quizzes automatically, and export the data to Excel or CSV. Since 2024, the Export button also offers a “CSV only” option for bulk uploads into SIS systems.
How do I set up the gradebook in Brightspace?
- Open the Grades tool.
Head to your course → click Course Navbar → Grades. - Start the Setup Wizard.
On the Grades page, click Setup Wizard (top-right corner). - Run the three-step setup.
Hit Start → pick your Grading System (Weighted, Points, Formula) → click Continue.
How do I link a quiz to the gradebook?
- Link a quiz to the gradebook.
Open the quiz → flip Edit Mode ON (top-right) → select the quiz → Assessment tab → Grade Item → Link to an Existing Grade Item → pick the item → Save and Close.
How do I export the gradebook?
- Export the gradebook.
From Grades → Enter Grades → Export → check the boxes for the columns you want → pick CSV or Excel → Export → click the download link in the pop-up.
What if the export failed?
- Alternative route for export: Grades → Reports → Export Course Gradebook → pick format → select assignments → Export (works on desktop and mobile browser).
- Bulk email export: Grades → Enter Grades → Export → tick “User Details” → tick “Email Address” → Export to CSV (filtered to your section).
Why are my weighted totals wrong?
- Formula system fix: If weighted totals are off, go to Grades → Manage Grades → Edit Grade Item → change Calculation Method and re-run the Setup Wizard.
How do I keep the gradebook from breaking mid-semester?
Set your Grading System once per course and never switch it mid-semester—Weighted for categories, Points for raw totals, Formula for custom formulas—or you’ll face recalculation headaches. After every major assessment, export a backup copy (CSV) so you can roll back if grades vanish. Turn on Automatic Recalculation in Grades → Settings → Calculation to keep running totals accurate as new scores roll in. Honestly, this is the best way to avoid last-minute panic. Schedule a quick “gradebook check” every two weeks to confirm quiz links and category weights still match your syllabus.
What’s the fastest way to fix a gradebook link?
If a quiz score isn’t showing up, head to Grades → Manage Grades, find the linked grade item, and hit Delete. Then go back to the quiz, toggle Edit Mode ON, and relink it through Assessment → Grade Item → Link to an Existing Grade Item. (This usually takes under two minutes.)
Can I use the gradebook on mobile?
You can run exports and tweak simple settings from a phone or tablet, but the Setup Wizard and formula editing? Stick to a computer. The mobile interface is handy for quick checks, not full rebuilds.
What’s the difference between Weighted and Points systems?
Choose Weighted when you want categories like “Discussions 20%, Quizzes 30%” to determine the final grade. Pick Points if you’re tracking raw scores (e.g., 100-point exams) without category math. Honestly, Weighted is cleaner for most courses, but Points works if you’re keeping it simple.
How do I hide a grade item from students?
In Grades → Manage Grades, find the item, click the dropdown arrow, and pick Hidden. Students won’t see it until you switch it back to Visible. (Perfect for draft assignments or extra credit you’re still grading.)
What happens if I delete a grade item by accident?
Brightspace keeps deleted items in a trash folder for 30 days. Go to Grades → Manage Grades → View Trash, check the box, and hit Restore. If it’s gone for good, just rebuild it with the same category and calculation method—no scores will be lost if you relink quizzes correctly.
How do I share gradebook access with a TA?
First, enroll your TA via Course Admin → Classlist → Add Participants. Then go to Course Admin → Permissions, find the TA’s role, and check Grades: Edit, View, or Grade as needed. (They’ll need Edit access to adjust scores, View to check progress.)
Why won’t my quiz scores auto-populate?
If scores aren’t showing up, open the quiz → toggle Edit Mode ON → go to Assessment → Grade Item. Make sure it’s set to Link to an Existing Grade Item and not “No Grade Item.” (This trips up a lot of instructors.)
