Dropbox

Creating  Folders

To begin creating a Dropbox folder, click the New Folder button on the Folder List page.

• Dropbox Properties

  General Assignment Properties

  
  

  Enter a Name for the Folder. The name field is the only required field.

  Enter the assignment Instructions. We recommend adding all of the information regarding the assignment into the instructions box. Information populated in this area will display on the content page once the learning activity has been embedded into a content module.

  
  
  

  Use the Add Attachments button to attach any documents related to the assignment. This functionality is a great way to include data files, assignment templates, or even assignment examples. Please refrain from attaching a separate document that includes assignment instructions. Instead, place the assignment instructions in the Instructions box.

    

  Submission, Completion, and Categorization

  Select an Assignment Type. The Individual option is the default and creates assignment folders where students submit their own files and are assessed individually.
  
  

  

  The Group option is used with you are utilizing the Groups feature within your course. The group option will not be available if no group categories exist in the Groups tool. Note that all students in a group are able to see their group members' submissions and students within a group will all receive the same grade and feedback. 

  
  

  *Note: You cannot change the assignment type of a dropbox folder once it is created.  

  
  

  Select a Submission type - This option defines what can students submit to you:

  

   

  File Submission - The default setting. This setting requires students to upload a document or other file for assessment. Selecting this option will also present you with the opportunity to limit the number of times a student can submit work to you as well as which submissions are available for your review. 

  Text Submission - Selecting this option if students will be submitting links to external content for assessment. For example, if the student is submitting a video hosted on YouTube or within Zoom, the text submission option would be a way to facilitate that assignment. Selecting this option will also present you with the opportunity to limit which submissions are available for your review. 

  

  On Paper Submission - Select this option if a student is submitting an assignment outside of the learning environment. Selecting this option will present several options for how the assignment will be marked as completed: Manually by the student, Automatically on evaluation, or Automatically on the due date.

  Observed in Person - Similar to the “on paper submission” this submission type allows you to differentiate between written assignments submitted outside of the learning and demonstrations, presentations, etc. Selecting this option will present several options for how the assignment will be marked as completed: Manually by the student, Automatically on evaluation, or Automatically on the due date.
  
  

  Enter an email address in the Notification Email field to receive an email message whenever a new submission is uploaded to this folder. This option is only available for file and text submissions.
  
  

  

  Select a Category or create a New Category to better organize and manage your list of dropbox folders. Selecting a category is not required. 

  

   

  Evaluation and Feedback 

  Settings included in this section control the grading mechanism for this assignment folder.

  It is recommended that all required, graded assignment dropboxes be associated with a grade item.

  
  

  Set a Score Out Of to identify the maximum number of points for an assignment. Note that you must enter a number here in order for the grading mechanisms in the dropbox to work properly. Additionally, you must enter a number in this box even if you’ve chosen a weighted gradebook type.
  

  

  Select a Grade Item (Grade Column) or use the New Grade Item hyperlink to create a grade item (column) in your gradebook. Note that creating a dropbox assignment does not automatically create a column in your gradebook. Additionally, creating a dropbox assignment does not automatically associate the assignment to a preexisting grade item.   
  

  

  The Student View Preview will present you with a preview of what students will see once grades and feedback for this assignment have been published. You can change this display by clicking the downward-facing arrow. It is not recommended to change this setting.
  
  

  Click the Add Rubric button to add a published rubric from the rubrics tool. Optionally, use the Create Rubric in New Window hyperlink to create a rubric for this assignment. It is recommended that you create and associate a detailed rubric that communicates the expectations for the assignment. Visit the ETSU D2L Rubrics Page to learn more about creating rubrics.

  

  If you associate multiple rubrics with this assignment, you’ll need to also set a default scoring rubric.
  
  

  Ensure that the ePortfolio Artifacts and Annotations Tools options are checked. 

  

• Dropbox Restrictions

  Assignment Folder Restrictions

  The Restrictions tab of the Edit Folder page houses all information related to conditions that control a student’s ability to see and submit assignments to an assignment folder. 

  Checking the Hide from Users checkbox will hide the assignment folder from all students. Instructors will notice a visual indicator icon on the Dropbox Folders page (an eye) that denotes the folder is hidden. To unhide a dropbox, return to this Restrictions tab and uncheck the box. Optionally, from the Dropbox Folders page, select Make Visible to Users from the folder’s context menu

  

   

  Dates in the Dropbox

  Marking the Has Due Date and configuring a specific date and time will allow instructors to identify students who submitted assignments late. Marking this option will also initiate automated student-directed reminders to encourage student submissions. The Due Date, however, has no impact on the availability of a folder.  

  

  Marking the Has Start Date and configuring a specific date and time prohibit students’ ability to upload files to the folder until the date/time specified.

  Marking the Has End Date and configuring a specific date and time prohibit students’ ability to upload files to the folder after the date/time specified.

  
  

  Note that the due date/time and end date/time cannot be set to the same values. 

  
  

  It is recommended to have a due date configured for every required, graded dropbox assignment. 

  
  

  Use a Release Condition to automate the visibility of a module or topic. Visit the Release Conditions page to learn more about creating and managing release conditions.

  

  
  

  Set Special Access for a particular Dropbox folder. This feature is helpful if a student has permission to submit an assignment early or late.

  
  

  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 and be held to the regular restrictions. It is recommended to keep this option selected. 

  
  

  The second option will allow only those with special access to see the folder and make submissions to it. Selecting this option will hide the dropbox from the classlist, except for the students identified within the Add Users to Special Access page. 

  
  After selecting a special access mechanism, slick Add Users to Special Access button to identify alternative start, due, and end dates, as well as the student(s) to which these alternate dates apply.

  

  

• TurnItIn Originality Checking

  Turning On TurnItIn

  ETSU uses TurnItIn for assessment of originality. Settings configured on this tab will allow instructors the ability to initialize TurnItIn functionality for submission within a dropbox folder. See below for how to configure a D2L Dropbox to use TurnItIn Originality Checking. 

  

  Mark the Enable Grademark for this folder option will turn on the availability to use TurnItIn’s Grademark platform to provide inline feedback and grading. 

  Note: you must check the box to enable grademark in order to enable originality checking. Marking this option does not obligate you to use the Grademark platform.

  The options displayed in the Grademark Transfer section control how and when scores entered in Grademark transfer over to the Brightspace platform. The recommendation is to select Manually sync grades as Draft in Brightspace. 

  Note: It is recommended that all grades be housed solely in Brightspace. 

   

  Originality Check 

  Mark the Enable Originality Check for this folder option to turn on the TurnItIn originality check functionality for this assignment folder. Marking this option will generate an originality score that is visible to the instructor. 

  

  Mark the Display option to allow students to view the originality score.

  Note that the display box must be checked in order for the students to access their TurnItIn reports in the Grademark platform.  

  
  Frequency 

  Selecting Automatic originality checking on all submissions will send submissions to TurnItIn as soon as the student uploads the file(s). Selecting Identify individual submissions for originality checking will not automatically send files to TurnItIn. You must manually select and send the files to TurnItIn by clicking the box graphic on the Folder Submissions page.

  Clicking the More Options in TurnItIn button displays a pop-up window containing several settings to help instructors manipulate how TurnItIn handles a student submission.

  

  

•  

   

Managing Submissions

Clicking the folder name from the Folder List page will open a Dropbox Folder to view its submissions. Alternately you can select View Submissions from a folder's context menu. Either of these actions will direct you to the Folder Submissions Page.

• Navigating the Folder Submissions Page

  Folder Contents controls which submissions are available on the Folder Submission page.

  The View By options give you the ability to view submission by group or by section. By default, this View By option is set to Users, which will list all users who meet the selected Submissions criterion.

  By default the Folder Submissions page displays only those students who have submitted to the particular folder.
  
  
  You will not automatically see students who have not submitted a file. If you change your view, you must then then the magnifying glass found within the Search For textbox. You can change your view by selecting a Submissions option:

  Show everyone will display all users, regardless of submission.

  Show users with submissions will display only users who have submitted a file to the dropbox.

  Show users with preview submissions.

  Show users with graded unpublished submissions will display only users will feedback you have yet to publish.

  Only Show Users with unread Submissions will display only users with submissions marked as unread.

  Last Submission After will display users to submitted after a date you specify.

  Last Submission Before will display users to submitted before a date you specify.

  Late Submissions will display submissions attached after the Due Date you sat on the Restrictions tab of the Edit Folder page.

  By Feedback - Will display only users who meet the following feedback conditions:

  Show everyone

  Users with Feedback

  Users without Feedback

  The Submissions Table contains the students' files as well as action buttons that float along the top and bottom of the table. To use the action buttons, select a file or files by marking the checkbox(es) to the left of a student's submission and then select the action button.
  
  

  Download - Clicking the download button will download all selected student files to your computer in a Zip(compressed) file format.

  Email - Clicking the email button will open a blank email with the students you selected in the BCC field.

  Display Read - Clicking the Display Read will mark all of the student submissions as read on the instructor Folder Submissions page.

  Display Unread - Clicking the Display Unread will mark all of the student submissions as unread on the instructor Folder Submissions page.

  Delete - Clicking the Delete button will delete all selected student files.

  Publish Feedback - Clicking Publish Feedback will publish all scores and feedback for the selected students. If the dropbox is associated with a grade item in the gradebook, the score will also export to the gradebook.

  The Submissions Table also allows for an at-a-glance illustration of students with published feedback, with feedback still in the draft mode, and students who you have yet to evaluate.
  
  
  
  

  A Published report signifies that an instructor has graded and/or provided feedback to the student and that grade and feedback is available to the student and, if applicable in the gradebook.

  A Draft Saved report signifies that an instructor has graded and/or provided feedback to the student but that grade and feedback is not available to the student and, if applicable in the gradebook.

  An Evaluate report signifies that an instructor has yet to leave any grade(s) or feedback.

• Navigating the Evaluate Submission Interface

  The Evaluate Submission interface is broken into two frames. The frame on the left displays the student's submission information. The frame on the right contains the Evaluation section, which allows for an instructor to use a grading rubric, enter a student's score, provide feedback, and attach feedback files.

  Clicking on a student file's filename will automatically display the file within the Evaluate Submission Interface. Clicking on a student's report link will display information about the student's file, but not the actual file itself.

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  The File Panel

  The File Panel is located on the right-side of the Evaluate Submission Interface and has two different viewing options:

  The File Panel can display an image of the student's file.

  

  The File Panel can display information regarding a student's file.
  
  
  
  

  Clicking Folder Submission History will display a historical account of all files submitted by the selected student to the dropbox tool. Use the Folder Dropdown to toggle between multiple dropbox folders.

  

  Clicking the filename will display an image of the student's file.

  Clicking the icon found within the Originality Report section will initiate the TurnItIn interface.

  Clicking the Download All Files button will download the student's file(s).

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  The Evaluation Panel

  

  Show Folder Information - Click the Show Folder Information hyperlink to expand the options for editing the current dropbox folder properties and the ability to Preview the current dropbox as a student.   

  

  Show Dropbox Folder Dates - Click the Show Dropbox Folder Dates hyperlink to expand the options for editing the current dropbox folder restrictions and special access settings.

  

  Evaluation

  Rubrics - If, in the setup of the dropbox, you associated a rubric with this dropbox folder, click the rubric name to open the grading mechanism in a popup window. Alternately, click the [Associate Rubric] to associate a preexisting rubric to this dropbox. Or, click [Create Rubric] to display a popup window where you can create a rubric on the fly.

  

  Score - Enter a numeric score in the Score textbox. If the current dropbox is associated with a grade item in the gradebook, the name of that grade item will appear under the Score textbox with a bar graph icon. Clicking on the bar graph icon will open the grade item statistics.

  

  Student View Preview - This area gives an example of how the student's score will be presented in the student view. To change the Student View, click the dropdown arrow.

  Feedback - Enter any feedback into the Feedback textbox, noting that you have the ability to embed videos, hyperlinks, and other HTML content into this area. Note that, if applicable, any additional feedback entered on an associated rubric will automatically populate in this textbox.

  

  Add a File - If applicable, you may attach a feedback file(s) that only the selected student will see. You may attach multiple files. To remove an attached file, click the red (X) icon to the right of the attached file's name. If you follow the bulk download/upload bulk feedback workflow demonstrated in the following section, the feedback files will attach in this area.

  

  Saving Options - Select a saving option by clicking the appropriate button.

  Publish - Saves all scores and feedback, publishing the scores to the student and, if applicable, to the gradebook.

  Save as Draft - Saves all scores and feedback but does not publish the scores to the student or the gradebook.

  Update - Saves any new changes to published scores and feedback.

• Downloading Submissions and Uploading Feedback in Bulk

  If you are unfamiliar with ZIP (Compressed) files, visit the Microsoft Zipped Files website for more information on how to create and extract zip files.

  From the Folder Submissions page, click the Select All Checkbox
  
  
  

  Click the Download action button

  A popup window will display when your zip (compressed) file is ready to download. Click the filename hyperlink to download the file and then select the option to Save the zip (compressed) file to to your computer.
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  Depending on your browser settings, this workflow may vary.

  Retrieve the zip(compressed) file from your computer and extract the zip file to show the multiple documents within it.
  
  
  
  

  Open the files in a word processing software of your choice. Typically, instructor use Microsoft Word and the built-in Track Changes feature. Make the appropriate editing marks and comments.

  Save the changes to each individual file without renaming the individual filenames.

  Note that the prefix attached to each individual document file is actually a unique identifier used later in this workflow. Altering the individual filenames whatsoever will alter the workflow.

  Compress the individual documents into a new zip(compressed) file.

  Navigate back to the Folder Submission page of the particular Dropbox folder.

  Click the Add Feedback Files button.

  

  Browse to locate the new zip file, select the file, and then add the file by clicking the Add button. Alternately, you may add the individual feedback files in bulk by dragging and dropping the files into the upload box. Note that the individual feedback files must contain the numeric prefix in order for the bulk attach process to work properly.
  
  
  
  

  D2L will extract the files and then attach those files to the appropriate student as a feedback file and update a student's report to Draft Saved.
  
  
  
  

  Click on a particular student's report link to view the drafted feedback file, enter any additional comments and/or score, and then complete the workflow by clicking publish.

  Repeat Step 11 for each student on the classlist.

Grading Submissions

An instructor or grader can enter numeric scores and feedback for all students on the classlist, regardless of electronic submission. An instructor or grader can enter numeric scores and feedback regardless of a dropbox folder's association to the gradebook. If you would prefer that dropbox scores automatically export to the gradebook, consult the Creating Dropbox Folders - Folder Properties, Step 5 for more information.

• Leaving Feedback on an Ungraded Dropbox Folder

  From the Dropbox Folders List page, click the name of the Folder to view its submissions.

  Click the Evaluate link to the right of the student's name.
  
  
  
  

  The Evaluate Submission page will be displayed where you can view the file name, comments left by the student, and the date and time the file was submitted.

  Rubrics - If, in the setup of the dropbox, you associated a rubric with this dropbox folder, click the rubric name to open the grading mechanism in a popup window. Alternately, click the [Associate Rubric] to associate a preexisting rubric to this dropbox. Or, click [Create Rubric] to display a popup window where you can create a rubric on the fly.

  

  Score - Enter a numeric score in the Score textbox. If the current dropbox is associated with a grade item in the gradebook, the name of that grade item will appear under the Score textbox with a bar graph icon. Clicking on the bar graph icon will open the grade item statistics.

  

  Student View Preview - This area gives an example of how the student's score will be presented in the student view. To change the Student View, click the dropdown arrow.

  Feedback - Enter any feedback into the Feedback textbox, noting that you have the ability to embed videos, hyperlinks, and other HTML content into this area. Note that, if applicable, any additional feedback entered on an associated rubric will automatically populate in this textbox.

  

  Add a File - If applicable, you may attach a feedback file(s) that only the selected student will see. You may attach multiple files. To remove an attached file, click the red (X) icon to the right of the attached file's name. If you follow the bulk download/upload bulk feedback workflow demonstrated in the following section, the feedback files will attach in this area.

  

  Saving Options - Select a saving option by clicking the appropriate button.

  Publish - Saves all scores and feedback, publishing the scores to the student and, if applicable, to the gradebook.

  Save as Draft - Saves all scores and feedback but does not publish the scores to the student or the gradebook.

  Update - Saves any new changes to published scores and feedback.

• Leaving Feedback on a Graded Dropbox Folder

  From the Dropbox Folders List page, click the name of the Folder to view its submissions.

  Click the Evaluate link to the right of the student's name.
  
  
  
  

  The Evaluate Submission page will be displayed where you can view the file name, comments left by the student, and the date and time the file was submitted.

  Rubrics - If, in the setup of the dropbox, you associated a rubric with this dropbox folder, click the rubric name to open the grading mechanism in a popup window. Alternately, click the [Associate Rubric] to associate a preexisting rubric to this dropbox. Or, click [Create Rubric] to display a popup window where you can create a rubric on the fly.

  

  Score - Enter a numeric score in the Score textbox. If the current dropbox is associated with a grade item in the gradebook, the name of that grade item will appear under the Score textbox with a bar graph icon. Clicking on the bar graph icon will open the grade item statistics.

  

  Student View Preview - This area gives an example of how the student's score will be presented in the student view. To change the Student View, click the dropdown arrow.

  Feedback - Enter any feedback into the Feedback textbox, noting that you have the ability to embed videos, hyperlinks, and other HTML content into this area. Note that, if applicable, any additional feedback entered on an associated rubric will automatically populate in this textbox.

  

  Add a File - If applicable, you may attach a feedback file(s) that only the selected student will see. You may attach multiple files. To remove an attached file, click the red (X) icon to the right of the attached file's name. If you follow the bulk download/upload bulk feedback workflow demonstrated in the following section, the feedback files will attach in this area.

  

  Saving Options - Select a saving option by clicking the appropriate button.

   

  Publish - Saves all scores and feedback, publishing the scores to the student and, if applicable, to the gradebook.

  Save as Draft - Saves all scores and feedback but does not publish the scores to the student or the gradebook.

  Update - Saves any new changes to published scores and feedback.

• Leaving Feedback For a Student Without a Submission

  From the Dropbox Folders List page, click the name of the Folder to view its submissions.

  Change the Submission Dropdown menu to Users without Submissions or Show Everyone and then click the magnifying glass located in the Search For textbox.

  

  Click the Evaluate report link to the right of the student's name.
  
  
  
  

  The Evaluate Submission page will be displayed where you can view the file name, comments left by the student, and the date and time the file was submitted.

  Rubrics - If, in the setup of the dropbox, you associated a rubric with this dropbox folder, click the rubric name to open the grading mechanism in a popup window. Alternately, click the [Associate Rubric] to associate a preexisting rubric to this dropbox. Or, click [Create Rubric] to display a popup window where you can create a rubric on the fly.

  

  Score - Enter a numeric score in the Score textbox. If the current dropbox is associated with a grade item in the gradebook, the name of that grade item will appear under the Score textbox with a bar graph icon. Clicking on the bar graph icon will open the grade item statistics.

  

  Student View Preview - This area gives an example of how the student's score will be presented in the student view. To change the Student View, click the dropdown arrow.

  Feedback - Enter any feedback into the Feedback textbox, noting that you have the ability to embed videos, hyperlinks, and other HTML content into this area. Note that, if applicable, any additional feedback entered on an associated rubric will automatically populate in this textbox.

  

  Add a File - If applicable, you may attach a feedback file(s) that only the selected student will see. You may attach multiple files. To remove an attached file, click the red (X) icon to the right of the attached file's name. If you follow the bulk download/upload bulk feedback workflow demonstrated in the following section, the feedback files will attach in this area.

  

  Saving Options - Select a saving option by clicking the appropriate button.

  Publish - Saves all scores and feedback, publishing the scores to the student and, if applicable, to the gradebook.

  Save as Draft - Saves all scores and feedback but does not publish the scores to the student or the gradebook.

  Update - Saves any new changes to published scores and feedback.

• Grade Using a Rubric

  From the Dropbox Folders List page, click the name of the Folder to view its submissions.

  Click the Evaluate link to the right of the student's name.
  
  
  
  

  The Evaluate Submission page will be displayed where you can view the file name, comments left by the student, and the date and time the file was submitted.

  Rubrics - Click the rubric name to open the rubric in a popup window. Visit the Rubrics page for expanded rubric setup information.

  

  Select a level of achievement for each criteria listed.

  

  Click the pencil icon to edit the default level points or to enter any additional feedback

  Click the eraser icon to discard any changes made to a criteria row.

  Select a Saving Option:
  
  

  Save & Record - Saves all changes made to the rubric, calculates the student's score, and transfers the rubric score automatically to the Score textbox on the Evaluation panel.

  Save - Saves all changes made to the rubric, calculates the student's score, but does not transfer the rubric score automatically to the Score textbox on the Evaluation panel.

  Cancel - Discards all changes made to the rubric.

  Close the Rubric popup window to return to the Evaluation Panel.

  Score - The rubric's calculated score will populate in the Score Textbox.

  

  Student View Preview - This area gives an example of how the student's score will be presented in the student view. To change the Student View, click the dropdown arrow.

  Feedback - Any feedback entered on the associated rubric will automatically populate in this textbox. Enter any additional  feedback into the Feedback textbox, noting that you have the ability to embed videos, hyperlinks, and other HTML content into this area.

  

  Add a File - If applicable, you may attach a feedback file(s) that only the selected student will see. You may attach multiple files. To remove an attached file, click the red (X) icon to the right of the attached file's name.

  

  Saving Options - Select a saving option by clicking the appropriate button.

  Publish - Saves all scores and feedback, publishing the scores to the student and, if applicable, to the gradebook.

  Save as Draft - Saves all scores and feedback but does not publish the scores to the student or the gradebook.

  Update - Saves any new changes to published scores and feedback.

• Using Annotations

  Use the annotations toolbar within the Evaluate Submission page of an assignment folder now provides instructors and graders the ability to call attention to specific sections of a submission using digital comments, highlighters, and pens, just to name a few!

  Several tools are available within the annotations toolbar. Clicking on the arrow within the writing utensil icon will display the pen, highlighter, and eraser tools that are available for use.

  

  The annotations toolbar allows you to select text, highlight text, underline text, and provide in-line comments. Using the pen tool, you can also draw all on a student’s submission.

  

  To highlight, underline, or strike through text, simply select the text with your mouse. Then, using the context menu that appears, select the option to highlight, underline, or strike through.

  

  To place a comment on the submission, click on the comment bubble icon, located within the toolbar. Then, from a place within the student’s submission, single click to display the commenting textbox. Enter your comments and then single-click outside of the commenting textbox to save your changes.   

  

  To delete an annotation, single-click on the annotation to select it. Then, using the context menu that appears, click on the trash can icon to delete. You will be asked to confirm your action.

  Annotations save automatically.
  So, you shouldn’t have to worry about losing your work!

   

  Remember to use Chrome of Firefox to ensure the best user experience with this functionality.  

• Publishing Grades and Feedback

  From the Dropbox Folders List page, click the name of the Folder to view its submissions.

  In the Submissions table, identify the student's with feedback saved that you would like to publish and place a checkmark in the select checkbox to the left of the student's name.

  

  Click the Publish Feedback action button.

Managing  Folders

• Reorder Dropbox Folders

  Control the order your dropbox folders appear with the Reorder option.

  From the Folder List page, click the More Actions button and select Reorder from the dropdown menu.

  

  Select a number in the in the Sort Order dropdown. Note that the sort order will dynamically update with each sort order number you select or change.

  

  Click Save to return to the Folder List page.

• Delete Dropbox Folders

  Delete a dropbox folder by using the Delete feature.

  From the Folder List page, click the More Actions button and select Delete from the dropdown menu.

  

  Mark the checkbox of the folder or folders you would like to delete.

  

  Click the Delete Selected button.

  Click Cancel to return to the Folder List  page.

• Restore Deleted Dropbox Folders

  If you have inadvertently deleted a dropbox folder, use the restore action to reverse the deletion.

  From the Folder List page, click the More Actions button and select Event Log from the dropdown menu.

  

  Locate the Dropbox folder you would like to restore, noting that you may have to navigate through multiple pages of deleted folders.

  Click the Restore button.

  

  Look for the confirmation popup to appear at the bottom of your browser window.

  

  Navigate back to your Folder List page by using the breadcrumb trail.