The Grade Center v8.0 > Using the Grade Center

In order to provide the most flexibility for instructors and other users, grades can be entered into the Grade Center in a variety of ways. Scores from gradable items that have been added to the content of a course such as online tests, exams, and surveys are automatically entered into the Grade Center. Grades from an external source, such as a Comma-separated Value File or an Excel spreadsheet, can be uploaded to the Grade Center, eliminating the need for double entry. Other grades can be manually entered into the Grade Center using any of the views of the Grade Center.

Automatically Entered Grades

Assessments that are added to the content of a Course and are scored online, automatically record the grade for that assessment in the corresponding Grade Center column. Grades that are automatically scored can be modified manually. Assessments that are added to the content of a Course can be modified to allow students to have multiple attempts to take the assessment. The instructor can allow unlimited attempts or enter the number of allowable attempts under Modify Test > Test Options within the course. Instructors define the way multiple attempts are scored in the Grade Center by modifying the properties of the column that corresponds to that assessment. To utilize the multiple attempts by modifying the properties of a column, follow these steps:

• From the Grade Center locate the column to be modified.
• Move the cursor over the column header and click the Action Link.
• In the menu, select Modify Column.
• From the Score attempts using drop-down menu select the method to score multiple attempts

Adding Comments to a Grade Entry

Adding comments to a grade provides a way that Instructors can give additional feedback to Students on their performance. It is also a way Instructors can expand on grading decisions or take notes for future reference or to share with other instructors, TAs, or Graders. Any grade entry can have comments added to it. Comments are entered through the Grade Details page or directly through the Grade Center. Comments entered in the Feedback to User textbox appear to Students and Observers when they access the grades. Comments entered into the Instructor Notes textbox cannot be accessed by Students or Observers.

Grade History

The Grade History page in the Grade Center acts like a log file that records all of the changes that occur to grades within a Course. The Grade History page displays all the data for grade submissions within a set date range. It is possible to manipulate the view and export the information.

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Related FAQ's

Q: How do I add a comment to an assignment through the spreadsheet view?

It is necessary to have a grade entered before adding comments. To enter a comment, follow these steps:

1. In the Grade Center Action Bar, move the cursor over an entered grade.
2. Click the Action Link, and then select Add Comment from the contextual menu.
3. Enter text into the Feedback to User textbox to share with the student.
4. Enter text into the Instructor Notes textbox for reference. Instructor notes are available other users such as TAs and Graders who have access to the Grade Center.
5. Click Submit to save comments.

Q: How do I override an existing grade?

Grades can be overridden manually from the Grade Center or from the Grade Details page, or they can be overridden by uploading an external file containing new data. For more information on uploading external files see Uploading External Grade Center Items. To change or override a grade from the Grade Center, follow these steps:

• Place the curser in the cell where the grade is to be changed and click.
• Enter a value.
• Press Enter.

Q: Can I export my grade history to review what changes were made?

Yes. The Grade History can be exported as a delimited file and downloaded to local machine. To export the Grade History, follow these steps:

1. Click Export from the Grade History page.
2. Select the Delimiter Type for the file, either Comma or Tab.
3. Select Yes to Include Comments or No to exclude them from the download.
4. Click Submit.
5. Click Download the save the file to a local machine.

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