Online tool to compile grades when correcting?

[adel9216]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

[ciao_yall]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

Like an Excel spreadsheet? You could probably use Google Sheets if you don't have Excel.

[Parasaurolophus]

Yes, Excel.

You have to know how to program the cells correctly, but that's not hard. And if you don't, just YouTube it.

Just be careful when you sort a spreadsheet. Always highlight all the cells you've filled out before you sort, or everything will get jumbled.

[Caracal]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

The CMS can be irritating to use in various ways, but most of them have various things that let you use rubrics. The big advantage is that you don't have to move grades from a spreadsheet to the CMS system and introduce an extra source of error. It also means that students can see how the grades are being computed and if you make an error (which does happen to almost everyone eventually, no matter how careful you try to be) the students can see it and you can correct it.

[marshwiggle]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

The CMS can be irritating to use in various ways, but most of them have various things that let you use rubrics. The big advantage is that you don't have to move grades from a spreadsheet to the CMS system and introduce an extra source of error. It also means that students can see how the grades are being computed and if you make an error (which does happen to almost everyone eventually, no matter how careful you try to be) the students can see it and you can correct it.

But the CMS is much more limited than a spreadsheet, so if you want to do something like "drop the lowest two assignment grades" it may be virtually impossible.

[downer]

There's also an increasingly widespread expectation that student grades are all on the CMS/LMS.

OP, if you have trouble calculating grades, you should keep your grading scheme simple. Then it is easier to put into the LMS and there is less confusion all round.

[cathwen]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

The CMS can be irritating to use in various ways, but most of them have various things that let you use rubrics. The big advantage is that you don't have to move grades from a spreadsheet to the CMS system and introduce an extra source of error. It also means that students can see how the grades are being computed and if you make an error (which does happen to almost everyone eventually, no matter how careful you try to be) the students can see it and you can correct it.

But the CMS is much more limited than a spreadsheet, so if you want to do something like "drop the lowest two assignment grades" it may be virtually impossible.

Both Canvas and Blackboard allow you to set up grade categories where you can drop the lowest [x-number] of grades.

[marshwiggle]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

The CMS can be irritating to use in various ways, but most of them have various things that let you use rubrics. The big advantage is that you don't have to move grades from a spreadsheet to the CMS system and introduce an extra source of error. It also means that students can see how the grades are being computed and if you make an error (which does happen to almost everyone eventually, no matter how careful you try to be) the students can see it and you can correct it.

But the CMS is much more limited than a spreadsheet, so if you want to do something like "drop the lowest two assignment grades" it may be virtually impossible.

Both Canvas and Blackboard allow you to set up grade categories where you can drop the lowest [x-number] of grades.

That specific example may not apply to some CMS systems, but none of them are likely to have as much flexibility as a spreadsheet, in the same way that google spreadsheets don't have all the functionality of Excel, for instance. Many people on here have mentioned calculating grades in a spreadsheet and then exporting them to the CMS. I'd imagine that's usually because what they can do easily in the spreadsheet is too  complicated if not impossible in the CMS. (Also, the interface for entering formulas can be much more cumbersome that typing them into a spreadsheet.)

[mamselle]

I second the "Excel first, export later" method.

CMS systems are wonky and time-consuming.

Also, there may be confidentiality issues with using some random online app....your IT folks might even have them blocked for security's sake.

M.

[Caracal]

Hello,

does anyone have an online tool to compile grades of different assignments for students when correcting ? Maths aren't my strength, I want to make sure to not make any mistake.

The CMS can be irritating to use in various ways, but most of them have various things that let you use rubrics. The big advantage is that you don't have to move grades from a spreadsheet to the CMS system and introduce an extra source of error. It also means that students can see how the grades are being computed and if you make an error (which does happen to almost everyone eventually, no matter how careful you try to be) the students can see it and you can correct it.

But the CMS is much more limited than a spreadsheet, so if you want to do something like "drop the lowest two assignment grades" it may be virtually impossible.

Both Canvas and Blackboard allow you to set up grade categories where you can drop the lowest [x-number] of grades.

That specific example may not apply to some CMS systems, but none of them are likely to have as much flexibility as a spreadsheet, in the same way that google spreadsheets don't have all the functionality of Excel, for instance. Many people on here have mentioned calculating grades in a spreadsheet and then exporting them to the CMS. I'd imagine that's usually because what they can do easily in the spreadsheet is too  complicated if not impossible in the CMS. (Also, the interface for entering formulas can be much more cumbersome that typing them into a spreadsheet.)

Yeah, it sort of depends on what you are doing and your facility with excel. If, like me, your excel skills are fairly rudimentary, and you aren't doing anything too complicated, it might be easier to just use the CMS. If you are good with excel, it probably makes sense to use it and import rather than having to deal with clunkier software you aren't as familiar with.

[adel9216]

I never use Excel to be honest...

[mamselle]

Not hard to learn, kinda fun, albeit quirky, and does those sums in a flash.

Have at it!

M.

[Caracal]

Not hard to learn, kinda fun, albeit quirky, and does those sums in a flash.

Have at it!

M.

That's true, but I suspect Adel might find it simpler and easier to just use the CMS.