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Brightspace Training & Support : Online Faculty: Dropbox

How to Use This Guide

This Guide walks you through editing or modifying due dates on Dropboxes, grading with rubrics and the annotation tool, and more! 

If you have questions about Dropbox that are not answered in this Guide or the FAQ page, please let us know at asktei@sjcme.edu

Why Use Dropbox?

Students use the Dropbox tool to upload and submit assignments directly in Brightspace Learning Environment. 

Instructors use the Dropbox tool to see students’ submission times, view submissions, check for plagiarism using the integrated TurnItIn originality tool, associate assignments to rubrics, and return submissions with grades and feedback right in Brightspace. Additionally, due dates on Dropboxes automatically show up on the Brightspace calendar which is visible to students. 

Important Note when using Dropbox: When a student submits a Word document to Brightspace, it will be converted to a PDF format to be viewed in Brighspace's "viewer" in the Dropbox. Please be aware that APA or MLA formatting may be skewed when viewing the submission in this way. If you are grading for APA 7  or MLA 9 accuracy, please be sure to either download the Word doc submission (if you wish to comment on the Word doc), or ask students to submit PDF files to the Dropboxes in your course (to use the Annotation Tool to provide comments and feedback). If you have any questions about this, please contact asktei@sjcme.edu. 

 

References:

Dropbox Tool (also known as Assignments tool)

All About Dropbox

Why Would I Need to Edit or Modify a Due Date in a Dropbox Folder?

You may decide you would like to give your students more time to submit their assignments, or perhaps you did not add a due date to your original Dropbox folder. Watch this short video to see how easy it is to edit a due date in a Dropbox folder.

Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below each video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page. 

Modify or Edit a Due Date in a Dropbox Folder (1 Minute)

What is a Turnitin Originality Report?

A Turnitin Originality report allows faculty to determine if a student submission contains plagiarized or uncited content. Please visit this resource from the Wellehan Library to learn more about the Turnitin Originality report, or contact askalibrarian@sjcme.edu

 

Why Would I Download a Student's Submission?

If you prefer to make comments directly on a student's assignment, this option is great for you. You can download a student's paper, make comments as you normally would, and then reupload the assignment right in Dropbox.

This video walks you through downloading the submission. If you need additional information on how to reupload the assignment, please see the tab "Reupload & Grade Student Submission with Feedback".

Note: For the most efficient grading experience, T.E.I. recommends grading using a rubric and the Annotation Tool in Brightspace. Please see the Grade Using a Rubric and the Annotation Tool guide for more information.

Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below each video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page. 

Download a Student's Submission (3 minutes) 

 

 

When Would I Reupload Student Submissions to Dropbox?

Once you have provided comments and feedback on a student's submission that you have downloaded, you would now reupload the submission to the appropriate Dropbox so the student can view your comments and feedback. Also, you will be able to enter a grade and additional feedback if desired.  

Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below each video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page. 

Reupload Student Submissions to Dropbox (2.51 minutes)

What is the Annotation Tool?

It's one of our favorite features in Brightspace!

The Annotation Tool in Brightspace allows you to view, make comments and corrections, provide feedback, and grade student submissions all without having to leave the platform. In addition, using the Annotation Tool along with an embedded rubric is the fastest and easiest way to grade in Brightspace! 

Watch this video to learn more about the Annotation Tool. 

Note: If you prefer written instructions, see the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page. 

The Annotation Tool  (3.5 Minutes)

Why Grade Using a Rubric?

Rubrics benefit both you, the course instructor, and your students because they enable clear communication in terms of both your expectations for an assignment and detailed feedback in response to students' work.

Instructor Benefits

  1. Enables you to assess students' work consistently for an assignment.
  2. Saves you time since grading with a rubric is generally a much faster process.
  3. Identifies weak skills or knowledge gaps shared by your students, allowing you to adjust your instruction to meet their needs.

Student Benefits

  1. Provides a detailed explanation of your expectations for an assignment.
  2. Identifies strengths and weaknesses in a student's work, outlining specific ways they can improve.
  3. Makes students more aware of the process they'll undergo to complete an assignment.

If you are interested in learning more about adding rubrics to your Brightspace course, please contact your Program Director and asktei@sjcme.edu

Grade Using a Rubric (3.5 Minutes)

Why Grade Using a Rubric and the Annotation Tool?

This is the dynamic duo of grading! 

Similar to the comment feature in Word, the Annotation Tool in Dropbox will allow you to comment, highlight, underline, et cetera on a student's submission without ever leaving the Brightspace platform. Using the Annotation tool along with a rubric provides quality feedback and greatly reduces grading time. 

Grade Using a Rubric and the Annotation Tool (4 minutes)

Why Enter a Score for a Student Submission in Dropbox?

If a grade item is attached to a Dropbox, entering a score and publishing it allows students to see their score in Brightspace. 

How to Enter a Score in Dropbox (<2 Minutes)

Why Would I Want to Publish Scores and Feedback All at Once?

When you are grading in Dropbox, you may wish to enter scores and feedback for a student and then continue on to the next student without having to get out of Dropbox and go back in. Brightspace makes it easy to publish scores and feedback all at once. 

Watch this video to learn more. 

Note: If you prefer written instructions, please view the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page. 

Publish Scores and Feedback All at Once (3.11 minutes)

My student has questions about Turnitin that I am unable to answer. Who does he contact?

We recommend starting with this Wellehan Library Libguide. 

My student is having trouble submitting a file to Dropbox. 

The Wellehan Library is the best place for your student to start troubleshooting. He or she can contact askalibrarian@sjcme.edu or view the Library's Dropbox Libguide

Written Instructions (PDFs)

Learning Technology Resource Specialist

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Quick Poll

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