Minerva Monthly Updates

Before this update, you could only update point values one at a time. Now you can update point values for multiple questions in tests using new bulk editing options. This enhancement supports:

• Selecting all questions at once, with the option to deselect specific questions if desired.
• Selecting specific questions (e.g., question 1, 4, 9, 15, 16, 27, and 32) for targeted point value adjustments.
• Selecting questions by type (e.g., all True/False questions) to apply consistent point value changes across that question type.
• Selecting questions by type AND specific questions.

To access the bulk edit points option, open the Test and select the three dot menu next to the heading 'Test Content':

Then select bulk edit points from the menu:

Use the filters to refine questions to specific question types as relevant and select the questions you wish to change (individually or use select all). Use the Points field to enter the new points required. Remember to select Update to make the change.

Once you have made changes, the bulk edit points interface will close.

Read our guides on Blackboard Tests if you would like to find out more about this tool.

In a recent update, an option to hide Gradebook items from the staff view was introduced. In the Download Options, under 'Full Gradebook', you can now select whether to 'Include Hidden Items':

You can now add tags to questions, which can be useful if you plan to use Blackboard Tests extensively and wish to search your existing questions.

To use tags, switch on the Question Metadata option when you create a question:

You can add new tags (enter a tag and select Create "tag name") or select from a list of existing tags.

Fill in the blank questions now display the blanks inline with the surrounding text, whether the question is presented as a sentence, paragraph, or table. Previously, the blanks displayed underneath the question.

To improve consistency, Test settings now utilise Save and Cancel actions. Previously, some had an X icon or an option to Close/Continue.

Documents now have an option to add styling to specific content blocks. The options are:

1. Question: Use for prompts or reflective questions.
2. Tip: Use for tips, insights, or helpful suggestions.
3. Key points: Use to highlight key points or essential facts.
4. Next steps: Use for next steps or instructions.

The styling option adds colour to the border of a content block and an icon to highlight it. For example, in this image the Key points option has been used:

To add styling, go to the Document and click the Edit content option. Hover the mouse over the relevant content block. Select the styling (palette) icon and you will see the styling options plus a reset option which is for removing applied styling.

See our guide on Minerva Documents for an overview of this tool and links to further information.

When adding questions to Minerva Tests, Forms, or Question Banks, there is now an option to add a title. These are not seen by students and are only seen by staff during the creation process; i.e. they are not seen when grading. The advantage of inputting titles is that they are searchable when selecting options to reuse questions. Therefore, if you intend to reuse questions/utilise Question Banks, this may speed up processes, especially if you have a large set of questions.

The unnecessary recipients dropdown has been removed from the 'New Announcement' page. Previously, this dropdown only offered one option—sending to all module members—making it redundant.

Assignment

Staff can now use the pop-out rubric when grading group submissions. This update brings the same grading experience already available for individual submissions to group work.

The pop-out rubric is a separate, moveable window and formatted in a grid view. Previously, the rubric was only available in a side panel and formatted in a stack.

The option to pop out the rubric is available above the rubric in the marking interface.

Test

If using Group submissions for Tests, it is now possible to give bespoke feedback on each group's answer when grading. To do this, select the add feedback icon which appears above their answer, next to the question score:

MathJax now renders LaTeX when entered into the Minerva content editor. For more information, see our post on MathJax.