This scenario provides instructions for setting up a gradebook with categories but no weighting. It provides a straightforward calculation of total points earned in the course. However, the addition of categories allows you to use the Group by Category option to organize the visual layout of your Gradebook items. In addition, instructors have the option to drop grades within categories if desired.
Select Gradebook.
In the target Sakai site, select Gradebook from the Tool Menu.
Select Settings.
Select Settings from the Actions Menu.
Select Categories & Weighting.
Select Categories & Weighting to expand the section.
Select the Categories only radio button.
Select the Categories only radio button to display additional options.
Enter categories.
- Select the Add a category button to add more categories.
- Type the name for each Gradebook category in the text field within the Category column.
Enable drop highest, drop lowest, keep highest, and/or equal weight. (Optional)
- To drop or keep a subset of scores within categories, check the checkbox next to Drop highest, Drop lowest, Keep highest, and/or Equal weight.
- Enter the number of items to drop or keep in the respective column.
- Select Save Changes to save the Gradebook categories.
Note: In order to drop items within a category, all items in that category must be worth the same point value. Alternatively, there is the option to check the Equal Weight box. This will reconfigure all items in that category to be weighted on a points scale of 100.
Note: Equal Weight may be checked to facilitate keeping or dropping items from a category; however, Equal Weight may be applied without keeping or dropping items.
Add and categorize Gradebook items
Select Grades.
Select Grades from the Actions menu.
Select Add Gradebook Item.
Select the Add Gradebook Item button to begin adding Gradebook items.
Tip: The location and appearance of the Add Gradebook Item button is dependent on whether grade items already exist in the tool.
Complete Add Gradebook item details.
- Enter the item Title in the text box provided. (Required)
- Enter the Point value for the item. (Required)
- Select the calendar button to assign a Due Date for the item. (Optional)
- Assign the item to one of the Gradebook categories. (Required)
- Check the checkbox for Release item to students to allow students to view their grades for this item. Leaving the box unchecked hides the item from students.
- Check the checkbox for Include item in course grade calculations to add the item into the course grade. Leaving the box unchecked omits it from the course grade calculation.
- Select the Create button to save changes. Selecting the + button next to Create will create the current item and open the Add Gradebook Item dialog for another new item.
Note: Gradebook items from other tools, such as Assignments or Tests & Quizzes, may be assigned to specific categories upon creation.
Warning: Though Gradebook items may be saved without assignment to a category, unassigned items do not factor into course grade calculations.
Example student grade summary
Let’s say Student Kinne has earned the following points:
- Midterm (Exams category) - 29 out of 30
- Final Exam (Exams category) - 45 out of 50
- Project (Project category) - 19 out of 20
- Homework 1 (Homework category) - 9 out of 10
The Gradebook will automatically add up all of the scores and divide by the total points possible. If no grades are dropped, then the grade calculation is (29+45+19+9)/110 points. The student's overall grade average = 92.73%.