Reviewing Dates and Grade Calculations in GradeBook
Gradebook allows for complicated grade calculations, but it also accommodates simple, straightforward averages. The simplest way to calculate grades is to have only one category and have the maximum points for each assignment equal the assignment weight. The result is a simple average.
Alternatively, you can define multiple assignments that are organized in different assignment categories (for example, homework assignments in the Homework category, quizzes in the Quiz category, and so on). That way each assignment can have its own maximum points and weight (in points), and the assignment category itself can have a specific percentage of the overall grade. For example, the assignments that make up the homework category overall can make up 25 percent of the final grade, and the Quiz category overall can make up 50 percent of the overall grade.
This section discusses how the system calculates grades.
The system calculates weighted grades for individual assignments like this:
(student's grade in points × assignment weight) ÷ maximum grade in points for the assignment
The system calculates cumulative assignment category grades like this:
total of assignment weighted grades / total weight of assignments that count for the category (not including extra credit)
The system excludes ungraded assignments from the calculation until the due date. The system also excludes an assignment from the calculation if either of the following is true:
The assignment is designated as optional, and the assignment has not been graded.
The assignment, graded or ungraded, is excluded for specific students on the Class Gradebook page.
Calculation Examples
A class grade is based on 30 percent homework, 30 percent tests, 30 percent class presentations, and 10 percent final examination.
Five homework assignments were given, each worth 10 points, and the weight of each is 10 points.
Three tests were given, each with a maximum of 100 points: The second test is weighted at 200 points, and the other two are weighted at 100 points.
One presentation was required: The maximum grade is 20 points, and the weight is the same. The final examination is one test, for 200 points and weighted at 200 points.
David's grades are:
Homework: 8, 7, 9, 9, 8.
Tests: 85, 93, 90.
Presentation: 19.
Final examination: 167.
His homework grade is calculated as:
[(8 * 10 / 10) + (7 * 10 / 10) + (9 * 10 / 10) + (9 * 10 / 10) + (8 * 10 / 10)] / (10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10) = 41 / 50 = 82%.
His test grade is calculated as:
[(85 * 100 / 100) + (93 * 200 / 100) + (90 * 100 / 100)] / (100 + 200 + 100) = 361 / 400 = 90.25%.
His presentation grade is calculated as:
(19 * 20 / 20) / 20 = 95%.
His final examination grade is calculated as:
(167 * 200 / 200) / 200 = 83.5%.
His total grade is calculated as:
[(82 * 30 / 100) + (90.25 * 30 /100) + (95 * 30 / 100) + (83.5 * 10 / 100)] / 100 = (24.6 + 27.075 + 28.5 + 8.35) / 100 = 88.53%.
If the system calculates the grade before the final is due, the final category is ignored:
[(82 * 30 / 100) + (90.25 * 30 / 100) + (95 * 30 / 100)] / 90 =(24.6 + 27.075 + 28.5) / 90 = 89.08%.
Grades Over Time
The previously mentioned grades reflect the grade at or toward the end of the class. Consider Lisa's grades for another class, on different dates:
Maximum grades are:
Homework assignment: 10 points.
Quiz: 100 points.
Class presentation: 20 points.
Final grade: 100 points.
For this example, the assignment weights equal the maximum points.
This class grade is also based on 30 percent homework, 30 percent tests, 30 percent class presentations, and 10 percent final examination.
|
Assignment |
Due Date |
Grade |
|---|---|---|
|
Homework 1 |
February 11, 2001 |
10 |
|
Quiz 1 |
February 15, 2001 |
80 |
|
Homework 2 |
March 1, 2001 |
8 |
|
Class Presentation 1 |
March 5, 2001 |
20 |
|
Quiz 2 |
March 30, 2001 |
90 |
|
Class Presentation 2 |
April 10, 2001 |
0 (never submitted) |
|
Quiz 3 |
April 15, 2001 |
85 |
|
Homework 3 |
April 30, 2001 |
7 |
|
Homework 4 |
May 1, 2001 |
9 |
|
Final |
May 15, 2001 |
96 |
Assuming that all the assignments were graded on the due date:
On March 1, 2001, the assignments due include homework 1, homework 2, and quiz 1. The categories of class presentations and final do not count because no assignments for these categories are due:
Homework grade: (10 /10 / 10 + 8 /10 / 10) / 20 = 90%.
Quiz grade: (80 / 100 / 100) / 100 = 80%.
Final grade: [90 / 30 / 100 + 80 / 30 / 100] / 60 = 85%.
On April 30, 2001, the assignments due include homework 1, 2, and 3; quizzes 1 and 2; and class presentations 1 and 2. Class presentation 2 was never submitted, so after the due date, the grade is 0. The final grade for this date includes homework, quizzes, and class presentations:
Homework: (10 * 10 / 10 + 8 * 10 / 10 + 7 * 10 / 10) / 30 = 83.33%.
Quizzes: (80 * 100 / 100 + 90 * 100 / 100 + 85 * 100 / 100) / 300 = 85%.
Class presentations: (20 * 20 / 20 + 0 * 20 / 20) / 40 = 50%.
Final: [83.33 * 30 / 100 + 85 * 30 / 100 + 50 * 30 / 100] / 90 = 72.78%.
The final grade on May 15, 2001 includes homework 4 and the final grade:
Homework: (10 * 10 / 10 + 8 * 10 / 10 + 7 * 10 / 10 + 9 * 10 / 10) / 40 = 85%.
Quizzes: (80 * 100 / 100 + 90 * 100 / 100 + 85 * 100 / 100) / 300 = 85%.
Class presentations: (20 * 20 / 20 + 0 * 20 / 20) / 40 = 50%.
Final: (96 * 100 / 100) / 100 = 96%.
On May 15, 2001, the final grade will be:
[85 * 30/100 + 85 * 30/100 + 50 * 30/100 + 96 *10/100] / 100 = 75.6%.
An instructor can change an assignment due date for a specific student. The date that the system uses in the calculations is the student's assignment due date.
Note: When an instructor changes a due date for an assignment to a later date or adds an extended due date, the system assigns the later due date to the student record the next time the instructor accesses Gradebook.
The dates and grading for open entry and open exit classes work the same way, taking into account the student's own due dates.