Introduction
Whilst we all try to minimise the number of accidental deletions that can occur across the Learning Platform Suite, we accept that it does happen. Recommended best practice is to avoid deleting items where possible until you have checked whether:
a) it is necessary (could the item be hidden instead?)
b) it impacts other items (if deleting a folder, are you clear that everything inside it will be deleted too?)
c) it is agreed at a wider level (have the module/course team or Leader been consulted?)
The TEL Team can often recover deleted items, however it is not a guarantee and should not be treated as such. Listed below are a few examples which include what to expect and what to include in your request for restoring content to the IT Service Desk. Each request may take up to 5 days to complete, though faster will always be aimed for where possible (note: where raised with a third-party, such as Turnitin, the request may take longer to fulfill).
Blackboard – Content Item/Folder Deleted
If an item or folder (not containing Turnitin Assignments, see below section) has been deleted, the TEL Team are able restore from archives that are generated on a daily basis (in most cases and for a module in the current academic year) and which are only kept for 30 days at a time. Please consider first if the item can be re-uploaded, for example if it was a file, which would be quicker. If not, then please include the following in an email to the IT Service Desk:
Blackboard Module Name (e.g. 2022-23 (Advent) Biology 101)
Name and original location of the item/folder deleted
The TEL Team will restore a version of the module as a separate site and then copy the item over. If it is not clear what item needs copying, or if multiple items need copying, the requestor will be added as the sole enrollee on the site and asked to review/copy for themselves. Once complete, the requestor should confirm that the separate site is no longer needed and the TEL Team will remove it from the live system.
Turnitin – Submission/Paper Deleted
If a submission/paper is deleted from Turnitin, the TEL Team are able to request a restoration from Turnitin’s own support team. So long as a submission has gone into Turnitin’s wider database, Turnitin Support are able to retrieve it and re-add it to the relevant Turnitin Assignment from where it was deleted.
Please include the following in an email to the IT Service Desk:
Blackboard Module Name (e.g. 2022-23 (Advent) Biology 101)
Turnitin Assignment Name (e.g. Final Submission – Assessment 1)
Student Name
Submissions that have been marked will restore with their mark and feedback.
The TEL Team will liaise with Turnitin Support to have the submission restored as soon as possible.
Turnitin – Assignment Deleted
If a whole Turnitin Assignment is deleted (including all of the submissions to it), this can be trickier so our recommendation is not to delete Assignments unless there is a need. If this does happen, the TEL Team are able to request a restoration from Turnitin’s own support team by way of ‘moving’ the papers.
Assignments cannot be re-added as they were, so to facilitate this the TEL Team will need to create a new Assignment into which the deleted papers will be moved to by Turnitin Support. Once created, the TEL Team will ask the requestor if a rubric had been used on the original Assignment and, if so, ask that the same one be attached to the newly created Assignment*; if the same rubric is not attached and was used for marking previously, rubric scores will be lost when the papers are moved.
Please include the following in an email to the IT Service Desk:
Blackboard Module Name (e.g. 2022-23 (Advent) Biology 101)
Turnitin Assignment Name (e.g. Final Submission – Assessment 1)
* Note: the TEL Team do not have access to rubrics as they belong to individuals. It is the responsibility of the requestor to attach the rubric to the new Assignment or co-ordinate the rubric owner doing so. If the wrong rubric, or no rubric, is attached and approved to go ahead with the move, neither the TEL Team nor Turnitin Support will be able to retrieve the previous rubric scores on the papers.