Resetting Assignment Submissions

When Assignments are made available within a Blackboard course there are a number of options available to instructors. One of the Submission Details allows the instructor to determine how many attempts a student has for a particular Assignment. The available choices are Single Attempt, Multiple Attempts and Unlimited Attempts. 
  
















When either Single or Multiple Attempts is selected, there is always the possibility that a student may need one more attempt, either because the wrong file was attached or the Submit button was pressed accidentally. To accommodate this, an instructor has three options: Clear Attempt, Ignore Attempt and Allow Additional Attempt. Each has their own unique benefits and circumstances. 


 









Clear Attempt
This essentially deletes the submission for that student, erasing all history of it. The equivalent would be to tear up and throw away a paper that has been turned in. We strongly encourage faculty to not use this method because of this; however, there are instances where it would be appropriate. For example, if a student submitted the wrong file and there is no redeeming value in keeping it around, then the attempt can be cleared. 

Ignore Attempt
This option flags the attempt such that it does not count against the total number of attempts; however, it does keep the history of the submission in the system. This is a good option mainly because it acts as a digital receipt that the student did make a submission, and when that submission was made. Along with that, any grading 

Allow Additional Attempt
This option is similar to Ignore Attempt where it does not destroy any of the history associated with a particular Assignment. Here the instructor is increasing the number of attempts for an individual student by one, and still keeping all of the previous submissions.