Using the GradeBook

WebCT's gradebook feature is listed under Manage Students. There are many ways to collect and view information here.

Editing Student Records

Once you've added students to your course, you can make changes to their individual records. Note: the User ID field cannot be changed.

• The first column of the Manage Students table contains a hyperlinked identifier for each student, such as a name or student number. Click on this link. The Edit Record screen appears with the student record you selected.
• Different column types call for different editing methods, as outlined below:
  • To change Alphanumeric and Numeric columns, type changes in the text box.
  • To change Selection Box columns, select items from the drop-down box.
  • To change Letter Grade or Calculated columns, click Override (see Overriding Calculated and Letter Grades).
  • To edit Text columns, click Create (if no information has been added) or View (if text information already exists).
  • To edit Quiz columns, click Submissions. For details on editing quizzes, see Grading Quizzes.
• To deny (or allow) course access to the student, click Deny Access (or Allow Access) under the student record.
• Click Update to save your changes and return to the student list.

Editing an Entire Column/Entering Grade

You can enter information for all of the students in your course by editing columns. This feature is particularly useful for manually entering grades for the entire class. Note: this option is available only for Alphanumeric, Numeric, and Selection Box columns. See Calculated, Letter Grade, and Text online Help for instructions on editing other types of columns. Quiz and User ID columns cannot be edited at all.

• Click Edit below the column label in the student listing.
• Enter information for each student.
• Click Update to save your changes and return to the student list.

Overriding Calculated and Letter Grades

You can manually override the grades in Calculated and Letter Grade columns. The grade for that student is then displayed as grey, rather than black, to show that it the calculated grade has been changed.

• The first column of the Manage Students table contains a hyperlinked identifier for each student, such as a name or student number. Click on this link. The Edit Record screen appears with the student record you selected.
• At the top of the Letter Grade or Calculated column, click the Override link. The Calculation Editor appears.
• Set a formula for the student's grade or simply enter a number or letter grade. See Calculated online Help for details on this task. The formula or grade that you enter applies only to the student record you are editing. Other student records remain unchanged.
• Click Update to save your changes and return to the student list.

Viewing Column Statistics

You can view an overview of statistics and histograms for Numeric, Quiz and Calculated columns from the Manage Students screen.

• Below the column label in the student listing, click Graph. The top frame displays the statistics for that particular column.
  • The top of the page displays the number of records used for the statistics, as well as the maximum mark achieved, the minimum mark, the mean and the median marks. The graph only takes into account the listed students, so it is possible to get a graph of a subset of student records by performing a query before clicking on the Graph link.
  • The lower part of the frame displays a histogram of the mark distribution. Below the histogram you can press Fewer Bars to narrow the range of the individual columns, or More Bars to widen the range. Click Back to Listing to return to the Student Listing.

Sorting by Column

The student listing may be sorted by a column or combination of columns. For example, you can sort student records so they appear in alphabetical order according to surname.

• To sort on a particular column, click the button at the top of each column (as illustrated below). The screen refreshes and the column that you sorted appears in bold text. This column is now the primary sort key.
• If another column heading is clicked, that column now becomes the primary key, and the other column (the one you sorted in step 1) becomes the secondary sort key. For example, if you want a listing sorted by last name, click the Last Name button. But if you wanted that listing to be sorted by User ID as the secondary key you would first need to click User ID, and then Last Name.

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Instructional Tips for the GradeBook

• Include information in your syllabus on how you will assess students.
• Be sure your course meets the AVLN standard for appropriate assessment processes.