AutoMark for Blackboard Learn UltraGuided private betaAI-assisted essay grading for Blackboard
AutoMark drafts rubric-based scores and feedback on essays and short answers. Teachers approve every paper, and approved grades land in the Blackboard gradebook.
LTI 1.3 · FERPA-aligned · Student work never trains AI
Here as a teacher? Free for 30 credits, no credit card. Start grading free
In use across 680+ Canvas courses at a national online school network.
- essays graded
- 250k+
- rubric-level agreement with teacher scores**On double-scored essays. How we measure
- 97%
How it works
How it works in Blackboard
- 01
Log in from Blackboard
Teachers open AutoMark from Books & Tools in their Ultra course. No separate password.
- 02
Create or import a rubric
Start from a template, paste the rubric in, or upload a file.
- 03
Import student work
Pull the assignment, roster, and submissions in from Blackboard.
- 04
AutoMark drafts scores and feedback
Rubric scores, inline comments, and overall feedback, in the rubric’s own language.
- 05
Teacher reviews and approves
Edit any score or comment, then Approve & next to move through the class.
- 06
Send to the Blackboard gradebook
Approved results return the grade, the teacher’s written feedback, and a graded PDF with rubric scores and inline comments, scaled to the assignment’s points.
Setup
Setup your Blackboard admin will actually approve
AutoMark installs as an LTI 1.3 tool, the standard way Blackboard connects to learning apps.
Blackboard Learn Ultra support is in guided private beta. Our team sets up and verifies your first course and grade return with you before more teachers get access.
- Who installs it
- A Blackboard Learn system administrator.
- Time required
- About 15 minutes of administrator setup, followed by one end-to-end test with an instructor.
What your admin does
- 1Register AutoMark as an LTI 1.3 tool with our Application ID, and approve it.
- 2Confirm the AutoMark course tool placement.
- 3Create a REST API integration with a dedicated service account for the pilot courses.
- 4Test one course with us: import, grade, approve, and return a grade to a test student.
You don’t share a Blackboard password, API key, or client secret with AutoMark.
Teacher control
The teacher stays in charge.
Approve before anything is sent
Scores and comments stay drafts until the teacher approves the paper and sends it to Blackboard.
Edit any comment
Teachers can rewrite, remove, or add any score, comment, or overall feedback before approving.
Your grade settings still apply
Blackboard controls when students see grades and feedback, based on the course’s own settings.
- FERPA-aligned data handlingBuilt to meet FERPA data-handling expectations.
- Encrypted in transit & at restTLS 1.3 in transit. AES-256 at rest.
- No training on student dataStudent work is never used to train models.
- DPA on requestWe offer DPAs for districts that need them.
What teachers say
In their words.
“Really helpful for correcting writing assignments.”
Verified AutoMark user
“It mimics my commenting style — and adapts quickly.”
Verified AutoMark user
“AutoMark's scoring is accurate — at times more accurate than human scoring.”
Verified AutoMark user
Pilot
Start with a 6-week pilot.
$1,500credited toward year one
- Six weeks with one department or a small group of teachers
- Personalized onboarding and support from Holden
- A results review with your team at the end
Prefer to talk first? Book a demo
Here as a teacher? Free for 30 credits, no credit card. Start grading free
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long does setup take?
About 15 minutes of administrator setup, followed by one end-to-end instructor test. During the beta, our team completes these steps with you and verifies the first grade return.
Who needs to install it?
A Blackboard Learn system administrator registers AutoMark and creates the REST integration. Teachers don’t install anything; they open AutoMark from Books & Tools in their course.
Does the AI publish grades on its own?
No. AutoMark drafts scores and feedback, and nothing reaches a student until the teacher reviews, approves, and sends it. Blackboard’s course settings still control when students see grades.
Is student data used to train AI?
No. Student work is never used to train AI. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, handling is FERPA-aligned, and a DPA is available on request.
What does a pilot cost, and what happens after?
A 6-week pilot with one department or a small group of teachers costs $1,500, and the full amount is credited toward year one if you continue. At the end, we review the results with your team and decide on next steps together.
Does it work with Blackboard rubrics?
Not directly yet. Native Blackboard rubric import isn’t available, so teachers add the rubric from a template, by pasting its text, or by uploading a rubric file. AutoMark then scores against that rubric’s criteria language.
What subjects and grade levels does it support?
Any subject, with a focus on writing. AutoMark grades essays and short answers against the teacher’s own rubric, and teachers use it across K–12, community colleges, and universities.