Moodle at Wesleyan

These instructions are taken from
http://www.clamp-it.org/2009/08/gradebook-setup-for-weighted-categories/
originally posted on August 5th, 2009 by Courtney Bentley

Scenario:

Course grading is set up using weights such as these:

• 15% - Mid-Term Exam
• 25% - Labs and Field Trips
• 15% - Critical Reviews
• 25% - Participation
• 20% - Final project

Steps:

1. Starting with a new, blank course, select Grades from the "Administration" block.
2. Click the [Categories and items] tab.
3. Then click the Full View link in the center of the page.
4. From the drop-down at the top of the aggregation column, select Weighted mean of grades.
   1. Put a check next to "Aggregate only non-empty grades" so that blank grades are not calculated as zeros. This will require you to enter a zero for missing or incomplete work if you want the zero to factor.
   2. Leave 0 selected for "Drop the lowest," otherwise the gradebook will drop the lowest category total for each student.
   3. Click the [Save changes] button and remain in the "Full view."
5. Next, add categories into which you will organize graded items.
   1. Click [Add category] at the bottom of the screen.
   2. You need to determine the settings for this particular category:
      1. Give the category a name (e.g., Exams, quizzes, labs, participation).
      2. Determine the aggregation type. If you expect the items in the category to be weighted inherently by having all items equal or having more important items worth more points, select "Simple weighted mean of grades."
      3. Click the [Show Advanced] button and make sure there is a check next to "Aggregate only non-empty grades" so that blank grades are not calculated as zeros—this will require you to enter a zero for missing or incomplete work if you want the zero to figure in.
      4. If you want to drop a certain amount of the lowest scores, select that in the drop-down.
      5. Click the [Save changes] button and remain in the "Full view."
   3. Continue adding as many new categories as you need to fit your grading structure.
6. Next, add weights to your categories.
   1. Each category will have 0.00 in the weight column. Set each category "weight" to the weight you want this category to hold in relation to the course grades as a whole. (If labs are worth 25% of the total course grade, this category should be set to 25.)
   2. Once your categories are established, continue by adding grade items to the course. You can do this by adding assignments and activities directly to the course. When you add a new assignment or activity, you will be able to assign a category as you edit other settings. You may also choose to simply add manual items to the gradebook.
7. Once your categories are established, click the [View] tab to return to the "Grader Report."

To add manual items (new grade columns) to the gradebook:

1. Click the [Categories and items] tab.
2. Click [Add grade item] at the bottom of the screen.
3. Give the item a name, grade type and adjust other settings as necessary.
4. Be sure to specify the category to which this item belongs. If this is the only item for a category, you can add it to the main course category and apply the weight to the item as you would a category.
5. Click the [Save changes] button.
6. Continue adding new assignments, activities, and manual items as necessary. As you add these items, be sure to select the appropriate category in the settings. When you finish, click the [View] tab to return to the "Grader Report."
7. As new items are added, they should appear nested under the appropriate category. If not, you can assign categories by editing each activity or by moving the items in the [Categories and items] tab. To do this:
   1. Click the [Categories and items] tab and click the Simple view link.
   2. Click the checkbox next to the item or items you want to move.
   3. Scroll down and use the "Move selected items to" drop-down to choose the appropriate category. The screen will refresh and your items will be moved to the category.
   4. When you finish, click the [View] tab to return to the "Grader Report."

   OR

   1. Click the move arrows of the category or grade item to be moved. This refreshes the screen.
   2. Click in the dashed box where the category or grade item should be placed.
   3. When you finish, click the [View] tab to return to the "Grader Report."
8. As scores are added to the "Grader Report" or through the assignment grade sheet, the Category totals and Course total will update to reflect the current grade.
9. Obviously, check the math to assure that it's calculating as you expect. You may find it helpful Show ranges, which is accessible by clicking the [My Preferences] tab and setting the "Ranges" drop-down to Yes. This will show you the greatest possible score for an item in the "Grader Report."

Note: At this point, do not check the extra credit boxes while using "Simple weighted mean of grades" for the category aggregation as this will break the gradebook. If you wish to use extra credit, please use "Sum of grades" aggregation instead.