Library & Learning Services

This week the Learning Technology Development team posted its annual ‘Keep Calm and Submit’ post on the Learning Edge blog, highlighting the latest tips and good practices to ensure your online submissions over the next week go as smoothly as you could possibly wish for.

As an additional treat for all students we’ve also put together 4 simple steps to help with some of the pre submission checks you might not have thought about before clicking the submit button.

Step 1 – Did you rememeber to add your frontsheet or SpLD coversheet?

If you are required to submit your assignment with a specific frontsheet/coversheet for academic or SpLD needs, please ensure you have added this before submitting. General frontsheets are usually supplied within your module/programme area on Blackboard. Please contact your tutor if you are unsure of its location online.

If you have a SpLD coversheet, this would have been compiled and provided by the SpLD Support Team prior to any online submission. If you are unsure or need further support with the SpLD cover sheet you have been provided with, please contact the SpLD Support Team:

• In Person: Ask desk, 1st floor, University Library
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 01695 584372

Step 2 – Is your file the correct type?

Any assignment submission through Blackboard accepts a wide range of file types for both Turnitin and the standard Assignment tool. You can find details of the accepted file types for each submission tool in the links provided below:

• Turnitin – File types
• Blackboard Assingment – File types

If you submit any other file types (or files with the incorrect file extension) you will receive an error message and will need to re-save your assignment in one of the permitted formats and begin the submission process again.

Step 3 – Is your browser up to date?

Another top tip is to always ensure that your browser is up-to-date. We recommend Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome upgraded to the latest version gives the best experience. If your laptop or PC uses Windows 10 as its operating system, be aware that the default browser may be set to ‘Microsoft Edge’  – perhaps OK for general surfing on the net – but when it comes to activities such as assignment submission please avoid using this browser. So, please if you havent already – download and install Firefox or Chrome and use one of these browsers when submitting your assignment(s) online.

Step 4 – Do you have a good internet connection?

Before uploading your work, you will need to have a good internet connection within a location that doesn’t have any security barriers such as ‘pop up blocker’ for your browser or a security firewall that’ll prevent you from uploading any data to the internet.

Pretty much all standard home Broadband connections are fine, but if you don’t have internet access at home please be mindful of submitting your work from a location such as a school or NHS Trust (placement setting) as you might run into problems due to security settings.

We know that when that deadline is approaching it’ll be stressful enough without unexpected niggles, so try not to leave your submission till the last minute. This echoes all points above but if done correctly will ensure the final moments before you click ‘Submit’ will be as stress-less as possible. Remember, if you have any problems Keep Calm and Ask Us!

Good luck with your assignments!