Dropbox
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The Dropbox is a tool that will allow you to create folders that your students can then submit assignments to. The Instructor of the course is then able to view the submitted files and provide grades and feedback to the student all from within the Dropbox. To use the Dropbox you will first need to create a Dropbox folder. Then you can setup the various restrictions and conditions for the Dropbox folder.
Creating a Dropbox Folder
1. Select the Dropbox Tool from the top navigation menu and select the
button2. Enter a Name for the Folder
3. We use Turnitin for Plagiarism Detection, be sure to check out our workshop on this feature
4. Select whether the folder is an Individual folder or a Group folder
a. Individual folder will be for when you want each student to submit their assignments on their own
b. Group folder will be for when you have created groups in the course and want the group to upload their submission
5. Select a Category for the Dropbox Folder or you may choose to Create a New Category. Categories are a great way to organize your Dropbox Folders but is not required
6. Select a Grade Item if you wish to link this Dropbox Folder to the Gradebook. More information on this in the Grades section below
7. In the “Out Of” box enter the total number of points that the assignment will be worth
8. In the “Custom Instructions” box you can enter any instructions you may have for the students. Instructions entered here will appear to the students when submitting their assignments
9. You can upload an attachment if it will be part of the assignment
10. Be sure to Save when finished creating the folder
Setting Dropbox Folder Restrictions1. Select the Restrictions tab after creating Dropbox folder
2. Set the availability Start/End dates if you would like them and also whether you want the Dropbox Folder to show up in the Calendar
3. You can attach optional Release Conditions such as the folder is available after you have viewed a certain piece of content
4. You can choose to set special access for a particular Dropbox Folder. This is helpful if a student has permission to submit a assignment early or late
a. The first option will allow only users with special access to submit during the altered times but all other students will still see the Dropbox Folder
b. The second option will allow only those with special access to see the folder and make submissions to it
5. Be sure to Save when finished
Viewing Dropbox Folder Submissions1. Choose the button to return to the list of Dropbox Folders or select Dropbox from the top navigation bar
2. You will see a listing of all the Dropbox Folders in the course. You will see the number of files submitted and the number of unread files to the right of the Folder name
3. To Edit an existing folder or choose multiple folders by selecting the checkbox next to the name and then clicking the pencil icon to edit
4. To open a Dropbox Folder and view submissions click the blue hyperlinked folder name
5. By default you will see a list of all your students and their submissions. You can also sort your view by submission: (show everyone, users with submissions, users without submissions) and also by feedback: (show everyone, users with feedback, users without feedback)
6. You can view submissions by either clicking the blue hyperlinked file or by checking the box next to the students name and selecting the download button . To download multiple submissions you can check multiple boxes and when you choose download you will receive a .zip file with all the submissions so you can view them offline
Leaving Feedback on a Ungraded Dropbox Folder1. Click the Folder you want to view and then click the Leave Feedback link to the right of the students name
2. The Leave Feedback page will be displayed where you can view the filename, comments left by the student, and the date and time the file was submitted
3. Enter feedback for the student in the Dropbox Feedback field and you can also attach a file
4. Be sure to Save when finished
Leaving Feedback on a Graded Dropbox Folder
1. Click the Folder you want to view and then click the Leave Feedback link to the right of the students name
2. The Leave Feedback page will be displayed where you can view the filename, comments left by the student, and the date and time the file was submitted
3. Enter the grade to be entered in the Gradebook
4. Text entered in the Grade Comment field will be displayed to the student in their Grades
5. Enter feedback for the student in the Dropbox Feedback field and you may also attach a file
6. Be sure to Save when finished
You can see the date and time your feedback was viewed by the student when you enter the Dropbox Folder. You will only see that the student has read the feedback if they viewed it through the Dropbox, not if they viewed it through the Gradebook.
Dropbox for Students
You can role switch to simulate what the student views when they enter the Dropbox. You will not be able to see everything exactly as they see it though. You can practice submitting files to see how it works but will not be able to view or leave feedback for your own submissions. Students will only see the files they submitted to the Dropbox and the feedback you left them, not for any other students.
Dropbox Submission Confirmation
Students will receive an email confirmation after they submit a file to the Dropbox. They will see the name, date/time of the submission, and the file size. This is a great way for them to know they have submitted a file successfully, if there was a problem they will not receive this notification. You will not receive notification when the students submit files to the dropbox, so you will have to check it from time to time to make sure there are no new files.
New Feedback for Student Dropbox Submission
The Students will see a bolded note that they have New Feedback when they enter the Dropbox.