Instructor Step-by-Step Guide:

Setting up your gradebook

Step 1:  Gradebook Preferences -- Setting up the Mode of Grading

1. Go to the Manage tab in your course and then click on the link to the Gradebook (See Figure 1).

2. Click on the Gradebook Preferences Link (See Figure 2).  In the Gradebook Mode drop-down, choose either Percentage or Points based on the information below (see Figure 3).

   1. ---

      If you grade by Percentage Mode, then assignments are divided into categories, with each category worth a specific percentage of the overall grade.  Each assignment is most often graded in points (e.g., exam 1 = 100 points) but can also be entered as a percentage.  For example:
      • Exams are worth 50%  (but each exam is worth 100 points)
      • Quizzes are worth 15% (and each quiz is worth 20 points)
      • Homework is worth 15% (and each homework assignment is worth 5 points)
      • Class Participation is worth 20%

      ---

   2. If you grade in Points Mode, then assignments are divided up into categories; however, each category is simply worth the sum total of the points the assignments are worth within that category.  For example
      • Exams are worth 300 points  (three exams, each worth 100 points)
      • Quizzes are worth 100 points (five quizzes, each worth 20 points)
      • Homework is worth 50 points (ten homework assignments, each worth 5 points)
      • Class Participation is worth 50 points

      ---

Step 2:  Gradebook Preferences -- Setting up the Display of Grades

1. Go the the Manage tab in your course and then click on the link to the Gradebook.

2. Click on the Gradebook Preferences Link (See Figure 2).  In the Report Defaults area (See Step 2 in Figure 3), choose your preferred display in the 3 drop-down boxes.  In the Grading Grid Default box (See Step 2 in Figure 3), choose the Grade Format diplay in the drop-down box.  *** Note:  Display does not influence how grades are calculated or how you choose to enter them.  ***  The display options are:

• 100% = grade is displayed in percentage

• 100pts = grade is displayed in points
• A+ = grade is diplayed by letter grade (must have grading scale set up for this option)
• You can also choose any combination of these (e.g., 100%(100pts)).

Step 3:  Set up Your Categories

1. Go to Manage --> Gradebook --> Click on the Categories link (see Step 3 in Figure 2).  Categories are used in the calculation of overall grades.  Categories cannot be graded (only assignments are graded).

   
   

2. Add Categories by filling in the blanks and then clicking the Add Item button to the right (See Figure 4).

• Only choose the autocalculate box if you are in Points Mode from Step 1.

• The Weight is the total percentage this category is to your final grade (e.g., if Exams are worth 50%, then the weight = 50)
• The Format should not be changed.  Leave it set to Use Default.  It is the display that was set in your preferences in step 2.
• The Release date is the date that students can see this grade.  By default it would be today's date.
• Click on the Settings link if you want to Edit Your Category.

Step 4:  Set up Your Assignments

1. Go to Manage --> Gradebook --> Click on the Assignments link (see Step 4 in Figure 2).  Assignments are the items that will be graded.
   

2. Add Assignments by filling in the blanks and then clicking the Add Item button to the right (See Figure 5).

• Choose the Category that is associated with that Assignment.  The grades will be calculated incorrectly if the assignment is not properly matched to the category.
• The Points are the total value of the assignment (e.g., Exam 1 = 100 points so you would put 100 in the points box)
• The Release date is the date that students can see this grade.  By default it would be today's date.

• If you want to associate a Course Materials content item (e.g., drop box, assessment, discussion forum) with a gradebook assignment, click on the Content Tab while in the assignment area.  For detailed instructions, click on these links:

• Associating a Course Materials Item to a Gradebook Assignment.
• How to grade a Discussion Forum
• Review and grade Drop Box Submissions
  

Step 5:  Enter Grades

1. Go to Manage --> Gradebook --> Click on the Grade Entry Grid (see Step 5 in Figure 2).

   1. The easiest way to enter grades by assignment, is to click on the heading of the assignment.  This will take you to a window that allows you to enter the grade and tab to the next student.  You can enter all grades for that assignment and then click Save.  If you do not click on the assignment heading in the grade entry grid, you will need to click on the cell next to the student's name and click save after each student.

   2. Optionally, you can add a comment to any assignment.  Click here to read how students view these comments.

   3. Note:  The calculated grades are not shown in the grade entry grid.  See step 6.
   • For an additional option on updating grades, see Update Grades Using the Gradebook Export/Import Utilities

Step 6:  View and Print Grades

1. To view your calculated grades, click on the Overal Report link in the main gradebook window (see Step 6 in Figure 2).

Optional and/or Additional Gradebook Features

1. Copying Your Gradebook Setup from One Course to Another

2. Grading Scale

3. Grade Labels
4. Grade Reports
5. Update Grades Using the Gradebook Export/Import Function (if you want to add scores or create equations in Excel and import back to gradebook)

Need myCourses help?