Creating a grade item

Grade items represent the individual assignments, quizzes, performance measurements, etc. that you want to grade users on. Each grade item has its own entry in the grade book, which you assign a grade to for each user. Grade items can be tied to other course objects, such as quizzes or discussion forums, or they can exist independently. Grade items can be graded numerically, based on a grade scheme, or with a simple text message, depending on the grade item type chosen.

Table of contents

• Types of grade items
• Create a Numeric grade item
• Create a Selectbox grade item
• Create a Pass/Fail grade item
• Create a Formula grade item
• Create a calculated grade item
• Create a Text grade item

Types of grade items

Back to top

Create a Numeric grade item

1. From the Manage Grades area, click New Item.
2. Select Numeric.
3. Enter a Name for the grade item.
4. Enter a Short Name to display in the grade book.
5. If you want the grade item to be associated with a category, select a category from the Category drop-down or click New Category.
6. Enter a Description of the grade item.
7. If you want to make the description available to users, select Allow users to view grade item description
8. Enter the value you want the item graded out of in the Max. Points field.
9. If you are using the weighted system, enter the Weight you want the grade item to contribute to its category. If the item does not belong to a category, enter the Weight you want it to contribute to the final grade.
10. If you want users’ grades to be able to exceed the total value of the item, select either:
11. • Allow grade to exceed weight.
    • Allow grade to exceed points.
12. Select This is a bonus item if you want the item to be counted as a bonus item.

    Note Bonus items are not counted towards the total possible points for a category or the final grade. They are added to the grade on top of the total.

13. If you are using the points system, you may also choose the Exclude from Final Grade Calculation option, if applicable. (If you are using the weighted system you can accomplish the same results by setting the weight to 0%)
14. Select a Grade Scheme to associate with the item, if applicable.
15. Click Save or Save and New.

Back to top

Create a Selectbox grade item

1. From the Manage Grades area, click New Item.
2. Click Selectbox.
3. Enter a Name for the grade item.
4. Enter a Short Name to display in the grade book.
5. Select a category from the Category drop-down or click New Category if you want the grade item to be associated with a category.
6. Enter a Description of the grade item.
7. Select Allow users to view grade item description if you want to make the description available to users.
8. Enter the value you want the item to contribute towards the final grade in the Weight field for the weighted system or the Max. Points field for the points or formula system.
9. If you want the item to be a bonus item, select This is a bonus item.

   Note Bonus items are not counted towards the total possible points for a category or the final grade. They are added to the grade on top of the total.

10. If you are using the points system, you may also choose the Exclude from Final Grade Calculation option, if applicable. (If you are using the weighted system you can accomplish the same results by setting the weight to 0%)
11. Select a Grade Scheme to associate with the item.
12. Click Save or Save and New.

Back to top

Create a Pass/Fail grade item

1. From the Manage Grades area, click New Item.
2. Click Pass/Fail.
3. Enter a Name for the grade item.
4. Enter a Short Name to display in the grade book.
5. If you want the grade item to be associated with a category, select a category from the Category drop-down or click New Category.
6. Enter a Description of the grade item.
7. If you want to make the description available to users, select Allow users to view grade item description.
8. Enter the value you want the item to contribute towards the final grade in the Weight field for the weighted system or the Max. Points field for the points or formula system.
9. If you want the item to be counted as a bonus item, select This is a bonus item.

10. Note  Bonus items are not counted towards the total possible points for a category or the final grade. They are added to the grade on top of the total.

11. If you are using the points system, you may also choose the Exclude from Final Grade Calculation option, if applicable. (If you are using the weighted system you can accomplish the same results by setting the weight to 0%)
12. Select a Grade Scheme to associate with the item.
13. Click Save or Save and New.

Back to top

Create a Formula grade item

1. From the Manage Grades area, click New Item.
2. Select Formula.
3. Enter a Name for the grade item.
4. Enter a Short Name to display in the grade book.
5. Enter a Description of the grade item
6. If you want to make the description available to users, select Allow users to view grade item description.
7. Enter the value you want the item graded out of in the Max. Points field.
8. Click Edit Using the Formula Editor to define a calculation formula. See Using the Formula Editor for more information.
9. If you want users to be able to receive a grade higher than the Max. Points specified, select Allow Points Received to exceed Max. Points.
10. Select a Grade Scheme to associate with the item.
11. Click Save or Save and New.

Back to top

Create a calculated grade item

1. From the Manage Grades area, click New Item.
2. Select Calculated.
3. Enter a Name for the grade item.
4. Enter a Short Name to display in the grade book.
5. Enter a Description of the grade item.
6. If you want to make the description available to users, select Allow users to view grade item description.
7. If you want users’ grades to be able to exceed the total value of the item, select either:
8. • Allow grade to exceed weight.
   • Allow grade to exceed points.
9. Select a Grade Scheme to associate with the item.
10. In the Calculation section, select the check boxes beside the items you want to include in the calculation. Clicking a category selects all grade items in the category. Clicking the check box at the top or bottom of the list selects all items.
11. Click Save or Save and New.

Back to top

Create a Text grade item

1. From the Manage Grades area, click New Item.
2. Select Text.
3. Enter a Name for the grade item.
4. Enter a Short Name to display in the grade book.
5. Enter a Description of the grade item.
6. Select Allow users to view grade item description if you want to make the description available to users.
7. Click Save or Save and New.

Back to top

See also

• Using the Formula Editor