Grade Categories
Grade Categories can be used to organize and group related grade items into sections. For example, you can create categories for assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc. Grade categories are not required, but are especially handy when using a weighted system.
Creating a Grade Category
Please note that there may be some diffferent options when creating grade categories depending on what grade system you are using. For example, if you are using a weighted system there will be a place to enter a percentage, whereas with a points system there will not.
To create a grade category do the following:
- Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades. Make sure you are in the Manage Grades area.
- Click New
along the top and choose Category. - In the Properties tab give the category a name (This is required). Other options in the Properties tab include:
- Can Exceed: Select this option if you want users' grades for the category to be able to exceed the maximum value for the category.
- Exclude from Final Grade Calculation: Select this option if you want the grade category to be excluded from the final grade calculation that appears in the Final Calculated Grade item.
- Distribution: Select this option if you want all items in the category to be worth the same amount. You will also use this section to drop items from the category, highest or lowest.
- Display class average to users: Select this option if you want to allow users to see the class average on the category.
- Display grade distribution to users: Select this option if you want to allow users to see a graph showing how grades were distributed between different percentiles.
- Use the Restrictions tab to control the visibility of the category and set release conditions. Options include:
- Category is always visible.
- Hide the category.
- Category is visible for a specific date range. To use this option place a check next to Has Start Date and Has End Date. Use the Calendar icons to choose your dates and the time drop down menus to choose the time.
- Release Conditions
- Click Save and Close.
Deleting a Grade Category
To delete a grade category do the following:
- Click Grade Tools in the nav bar and choose Grades. Make sure you are in the Manage Grades area.
- Click the More Actions button and choose Delete.
- Place a check next to the category you want to delete.
- Click Delete. (All grade items within the category will be deleted)