Calculating Grades

Overview

In the Grade Center, an Instructor can calculate grades by combining multiple columns to attain performance results, such as class averages, final grades that are based on a weighted scale, or total points, and so on. These are called Calculated Columns. These columns, which display performance results, can be displayed to students or remain accessible to only the Instructor, TA, and Grader. The possible Calculated Columns include the following:

Weighted GradeAverageTotal Minimum/Maximum

These can be used at the Instructor’s discretion to create any calculation that may facilitate the Instructor’s organization, measurement or vigilance of a Course.

Note: New Courses or Restored Course will contain two created columns: a Total Points column and a Weighted Grade column. The user must configure the settings of these two columns.

Tip: To keep a Calculated Column in view, despite the addition of other columns, freeze the column. For more information on this, see Freezing Columns.

About Weighted Grades

A Weighted Grade is a Calculated Column that displays the calculated result of quantities and their respective percentages. A Weighted Grade can be displayed as a column in the Grade Center. Instructors control the visibility of the column in the Grade Center as well as controlling the release of the column to students and other users.

For example, an Instructor may create a Weighted Grade column that calculates a quarterly grade (grade for one quarter of the year), in which each Category, such as Test, Survey, and Assignment are given a certain percentage of the final quarter's grade. Alternatively, the Instructor may create a Weighted Grade that is the final grade for a course, with the quarters and exams included in the Weighted Grade.

Instructors can create any number of Weighted Grade columns, including Weighted Grade columns that include other Weighted Grade columns. For example

(Quiz = 20%) + (Homework = 10%) + (Participation = 20%) + (Exam = 50%) = (Quarter Grade)

(Quarter 1 = 25%) + (Quarter 2 = 25%) + (Quarter 3 = 25%) + (Quarter 4 = 25%) = (Year Grade)

Instructors can create a Weighted Grade based on any column, or any Category in the Grade Center.

Note: Any Grade Center columns with text as the primary display cannot be used in the Weighted Grade calculation.

Simple Weighted Grade Workflow

The following diagram displays the workflow for creating a Weighted Grade column based on four (4) columns:

• Mid-term Exam = 20%
• Final Exam = 30%
• Assignments Category = 25%
• Quizzes Category = 25%

Weighed Grade for a Grading Period Workflow

The following diagram displays the workflow for creating a Weighted Grade column for a Grading Period, called "Term 1" based on four (3) columns:

• Tests Category = 20%
• Assignments Category = 50%
• Discussion Category = 30%

Creating a Weighted Grade

To create a Weighted Grade column in the Grade Center, follow these steps from the Grade Center View Spreadsheet:

1. Move the cursor over the Add Calculated Column icon in the Action Bar of the Grade Center.
2. Select Weighted from the Action Link menu.

Enter an Column Name. A required field, Column Name is formal name for the Item, and is displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered. This field will only display the first 15 characters in the column header.

3. Enter a GradeCenter Display Name. This appears as the column header in the Grade Center. This field displays 15 characters in the column header. The Grade Center is the only area where this name is used.
4. Enter a Description. A description will help Instructors and other graders identify the Column.
5. Select a Primary Display option from the drop-down menu. The format chosen is the primary or only (if no Secondary Display is selected) format displayed for this Weighted Grade Item in the Grade Center.
6. Select a Secondary Display from the drop-down menu. This selection displays the secondary format for this Weighted Grade column in the Grade Center. The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses.
7. Select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. This will designate to what Grading Period the column is associated.

Note: Grading Period and the drop-down menu will not display unless Grading Periods have previously been created. For more information on Grading Periods, see Creating Grading Periods.

9. Select the items to be included in the Weighted Grade Column, and enter the percentages for each column or Category to be included in the Weighted Grade.

• Columns to Select – A list of all columns in the Grade Center. Select the Column and click the arrow to add it to the Weighted Grade column.
• Categories to Select – A list of all Categories in the Grade Center. Select the category and click the arrow to add it to the Weighted Grade column.

10. After all columns and Categories have been selected, enter the percentage for each selection.

When a Category has been selected, several other options appear:

• Select a Grading Period for the Category using the drop-down menu. This will only appear if a Grading Period has been created. Only columns within the selected Grading Period will be included in the Weighted Grade.
• Select how to weigh columns within the CategoryEqually or Proportionally. Choosing Equally applies equal value to all Columns within a Category. Choosing Proportionally applies the appropriate value to a Grade Item based on its points compared to other columns in the Category.
• Decide whether to drop high or low grades within the Category or use the lowest or highest value in the category.

To remove a selected Grade Item or Category from consideration, click the red “x”.

Note: A Grade column that is set to "no" for the Include in Grade Center Score Calculations setting will not display in the selection list.

11. Calculate as a running total – Select Yes to calculate the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded. Select No to include all items.
12. Share Weighted Grade column with users. The following permissions can be selected to add the column to My Grades:

• Include Column in the GradeCenter calculations – Makes the Column available for use in other calculations.

• Show Column in My Grades – Shows the column in My Grades.

• Show Statisitics (average and median) to Students– Shows the Weighted Grade column statistics in My Grades.

13. Click Submit to save.

The following table explains all of the fields in the Add or Modify Weighted Grade Item page:

About Total Points Calculations

A Grade Center Total Points column is a grade based on the cumulative points received, related to the points allowed.

The following items can be selected to create a Total Points calculation and its column:

• All Grade Columns – All individual Grade Columns added to the Grade Center.
• Grade Columns in a Grading Period – All Grade Columns that have been added to a Grading Period.
• Selected Gradable Columns and Categories – Any grade Columns and any or all Categories.

For example, an Instructor may create a column to determine the final grade for the first quarter by creating a Grade Center Total Points column that includes all of the columns in the first quarter Grading Period. Alternatively, an Instructor can create a Grade Center Total Points column that displays the percentages of a particular Grade Center column, or a Category or Categories.

Note: Any Grade Columns with text as the primary display cannot be used in the Total Points calculation.

Creating a Total Points Column

To create a Total Points column in the Grade Center, follow these steps:

1. Move the cursor over the Add Calculated Column icon in the Action Bar of the Grade Center.
2. Select Total from the Action Link menu.
3. Enter an Column Name. A required field, Column Name is formal name for the Item, and is displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered. This field displays 15 characters in the column header.
4. Enter a Grade Center Display Name. This appears as the column header in the Grade Center. This field will only display the first 15 characters in the column header. The Grade Center is the only area where this name is used.
5. Enter a Description. A description will help Instructors and other graders identify the Column.
6. Select a Primary Display option from the drop-down menu. The format chosen is the primary or only (if no Secondary Display is selected) format displayed for this Total Points Item in the Grade Center.
7. Select a Secondary Display from the drop-down menu. This selection displays the secondary format for this Total Points column in the Grade Center. The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses.
8. Select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. This will designate to what Grading Period the column is associated.

Note: Grading Period and the drop-down menu will not display unless Grading Periods have previously been created. For more information on Grading Periods, see Creating Grading Periods.

9. Select the items to be included in the Total Points column. Possible selections include the following:

• All GradableColumns
• All Gradable Columns in a Grading Periodand select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. This will not display unless a Grading Period has been created.
• Selected Gradable Columns and Categories Select the Items from the text box and click on the arrow. Select the Categories from the text box and click on the arrow.

To remove a selected item from consideration, click the red “x”.

Note: A Column that is set to "no" for the Include in Grade Center calculations setting will not display in the selection list.

10. Calculate as a running total – Select Yes to calculate the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded. Select No to include all items.
11. Share Total Points column with users. The following selections can be made to share column information with users:

Include Column in the Grade Center score calculations – Makes the column available for use in other calculations

• Show Column in My Grades – Shows the column in My Grades

• Show Statisitics (average and median) for this column in My Grades – Shows the Total Points column statistics in My Grades

12. Click Submit to save.

The following table explains all of the fields in the Add or Modify Total Points column page:

About Minimum/Maximum Columns

A Minimum or Maximum Grade column displays either the minimum or maximum grade for a selection of Columns. This column can be displayed to the Students or just the Instructor.

In creating a Minimum/Maximum Grade column, the Instructor can select from the following:

• All Grade Columns – All individual Grade Columns added to the Grade Center.
• Grade Columns in a Grading Period – All Grade Columns that have been added to a Grading Period.
• Selected Gradable Columns and Categories – Any Grade Columns and any or all Categories.

For instance, an Instructor may choose to find the minimum scores of all the Tests from a Grading Period and display it only to the Instructor.

Note: Any Columns with text as the primary display cannot be displayed as the Minimum or Maximum.

Creating a Minimum/Maximum Column

To create a Minimum/Maximum Grade Column, follow these steps:

1. Move the cursor over the Add Calculated Column icon in the Action Bar of the Grade Center.
2. Select Minimum/Maximum from the Action Link menu.

Enter an Column Name. A required field, Column Name is formal name for the Item, and is displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered. This field will display 15 characters in the Column header.

3. Enter a GradeCenter Display Name. This appears as the column header in the Grade Center. This field will only display the first 15 characters in the column header. The Grade Center is the only area where this name is used.
4. Enter a Description. A description will help Instructors and other graders identify the column.
5. Select a Primary Display option from the drop-down menu. The format chosen is the primary or only (if no Secondary Display is selected) format displayed for this Minimum/Maximum Grade in the Grade Center.
6. Select a Secondary Display from the drop-down menu. This selection displays the secondary format for this Minimum/Maximum Grade column in the Grade Center. The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses.
7. Select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. This will designate to what Grading Period the column is associated.

Note: Grading Period and the drop-down menu will not display unless Grading Periods have previously been created. For more information on Grading Periods, see Creating Grading Periods.

9. Select the Calculation Type Minimum or Maximum.
10. Select the items to be included in the Minimum/Maximum Grade Column. Possible selections include:

• All GradableColumns
• All Gradable Columns in a Grading Periodand select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. This will not display unless a Grading Period has been created.
• Selected Gradable Columns and Categories Select the Items from the text box and click on the arrow. Select the Categories from the text box and click on the arrow.

To remove a selected item from consideration, click the red “x”.

Note: A column that is set to "no" for the Include in Grade Center Score Calculations setting will not display in the selection list.

11. Calculate as a running total – Select Yes to calculate the weight as a running total to include only the Columns that have been graded. Select No to include all Columns.
12. Share Minimum/Maximum Grade column with users. The following selections can be made to share column information with users:

Include Column in the Grade Center score calculations – Makes the column available for use in other calculations

• Show Column in My Grades – Shows the column in My Grades

• Show Statisitics (average and median) for this column in My Grades– Shows the Minimum/Maximum Grade Column statistics in My Grades

13. Click Submit to save.

The following table explains all of the fields in the Add or Modify Minimum/Maximum Grade column page:

About Average Grade Columns

An Average Grade column displays the average for any number of quantities. An Average Grade Column can include any the following non-text columns:

• All Grade Columns – All individual Grade columns added to the Grade Center.
• Grade Columns in a Grading Period – All Grade columns that have been added to a Grading Period.
• Selected Gradable Columns and Categories – Any Grade columns and any or all Categories.

For example, an Instructor can display the average for all Tests, or display the average grade for each Student for a grading period.

Note: Any Columns with Text as the primary display cannot be averaged.

Any Categories that contain items that are set to No for the Include in Grade Center calculations setting will ignore those items when figuring the Average Grade.

Creating an Average Grade Column

To create an Average Grade and its column in the Grade Center, follow these steps from the Grade Center View Spreadsheet.

1. Move the cursor over the Add Calculated Columnicon in the Action Bar of the Grade Center.
2. Select Average from the Action Link menu.

Enter an Column Name. A required field, Column Name is formal name for the Item, and is displayed in the Grade Center if no Grade Center Display Name is entered. This field will only display the first 15 characters in the Column header.

3. Enter a GradeCenter Display Name. This appears as the column header in the Grade Center. This field will display 15 characters in the column header. The Grade Center is the only area where this name is used.
4. Enter a Description. A description will help Instructors and other graders identify the column.
5. Select a Primary Display option from the drop-down menu. The format chosen is the primary or only (if no Secondary Display is selected) format displayed for this Average Grade column in the Grade Center.
6. Select a Secondary Display from the drop-down menu. This selection displays the secondary format for this Average Grade column in the Grade Center. The Secondary Display is denoted by parentheses.
7. Select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu. This will designate to what Grading Period the column is attributed.

Note: Grading Period and the drop-down menu will not display unless Grading Periods have previously been created. For more information on Grading Periods, see Creating Grading Periods.

9. Select the columns to be included in the Average Grade column. Possible selections include:

• All GradableColumns
• All Gradable Columns in a Grading Periodand select a Grading Period from the drop-down menu; this will only display if a Grading Period has been created.
• Selected Gradable Columns and Categories Select the Items from the text box and click on the arrow.

• Columns to Select – A list of all Columns in the Grade Center. Select the Column and click the arrow to add it to the Average Grade column.
• Categories to Select – A list of all Categories in the Grade Center. Select the category and click the arrow to add it to the Average Grade column.

When a Category has been selected, several other options appear:

Select a Grading Period for the Category using the drop-down menu. This will only be available if a Grading Period has been created.

Select how to weigh Columns within the CategoryEqually or Proportionally. Choosing Equally applies equal value to all gradable items within a Category. Choosing Proportionally applies the appropriate value to a Grade Item based on its points compared to other Columns in the Category.

Decide whether to drop high or low grades within the Category or use the lowest or highest value in the category.

To remove a selected item from consideration, click the red “x”.

Note: A Grade Column that is set to "no" for the Include in Grade Center Score Calculations setting will not display in the selection list.

10. Select to Calculate Average as a running total. Selecting to calculate the average as a running total will only include the Grade Columns that have been graded. Select Yes or No.
11. Share Average Grade column with users. The following selections can be made to share column information with users:

Include Column in the Grade Center score calculations – Makes the column available for use in other calculations

• Show Column in My Grades – Shows the column in My Grades

• Show Statisitics (average and median) for this column in My Grades – Shows the Average Grade column statistics in My Grades

12. Click Submit to save.

The following table explains all of the fields in the Add or Modify Average Grade column page: