Calculated columns display the numeric result of a formula that you create. By default the Blackboard Vista Grade Book has two calculated columns, Midterm and Final. These columns represent the computed Midterm and Final averages and cannot be deleted only hidden.

You can calculate many mathematical equations for the Final and Midterm columns.
NOTE: Start by writing your calculation on paper and then use the various functions on the Edit Formula screen in Blackboard Vista.

A weighted average is one where all assignments, tests, projects, etc…are weighted differently based on the activity. For example, a couple tests are 20%, one test is 10%, weekly assignments are 10%, exam reviews are 10%, in-class exercises are 5%, and the final exam is 25%. The total of all assignment weights should equal 100%.

Grading Criteria:

Test 1                              20%
Test 2                              20%
Test 3                              10%
Weekly Assignments (16)   10%
Exam Reviews (4)             10%
In-class Exercises (8)          5%
Final Exam                       25%
Total                              100%

Mathematical Formula:

(((Test 1 + Test 2)*0.2) + (Test 3 *0.1) + ((Weekly Assignment 1 + Weekly Assignment 2 + Weekly Assignment 3 + …. + Weekly Assignment 16) * 0.1) + ((Exam Review 1 + Exam Review 2 + Exam Review 3 + Exam Review 4) * 0.1) + ((In-class Exercise 1 + In-class Exercise 2 + In-class Exercise 3 + In-class Exercise 4 + In-class Exercise 5) * 0.05) + (Final Exam * 0.25))*100

To create this formula in Blackboard Vista:

1. For the Final column, click the Actionlinks drop-down menu.
2. Select Edit Column Formula. The Edit Formula screen is displayed.
3. Click the left parenthesis button 3 times.
4. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the first test.
5. Click the plus sign button (+).
6. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the second test column.
7. Click the right parenthesis button.
8. Click the multiply button (*).
9. Using the keypad, enter the percent the tests are worth, in this example the tests are worth 10% or 0.01.
10. Click the right parenthesis button.
11. Click the plus sign button (+).
12. Click the left parenthesis button twice.
13. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the first assignment column.
14. Click the plus sign button (+).
15. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the second assignment column.
16. Repeat the above 2 steps until all the assignments are included in the formula.
17. Click the right parenthesis button.
18. Click the multiply button (*).
19. Use the number keypad to enter the percent the assignments are worth.
20. Click the right parenthesis button twice.
21. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the first review column.
22. Click the plus sign button (+).
23. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the second review column.
24. Repeat the above 2 steps until all the reviews are included in the formula.
25. Click the right parenthesis button.
26. Click the multiply button (*).
27. Use the number keypad to enter the percent the reviews are worth.
28. Click the right parenthesis button.
29. Click the plus sign button (+).
30. Click the left parenthesis button twice.
31. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the first in-class exercise column.
32. Click the plus sign button (+).
33. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the second in-class exercise column.
34. Repeat the above 2 steps until all the in-class exercises are added.
35. Click the right parenthesis button.
36. Click the multiply button (*).
37. Use the number keypad to enter the percent the reviews are worth.
38. Click the right parenthesis button.
39. In the “Select a column to add to your formula” box, choose the final exam column.
40. Click the multiply button (*).
41. Use the number keypad to enter the percent the final exam is worth.
42. Click the right parenthesis button twice.
43. Click the multiply button (*).
44. Use the number keypad to enter 100.
45. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click Save.