The Brightspace Gradebook represents all the work that you want to evaluate users on in a course. Instructors can use the Gradebook to recognize and encourage students along the learning process.
You must set up a grade book before you can use the Grades tool.
As you plan your grade book, consider:
Which grade items you plan to evaluate.
Which grading system is most appropriate for your course.
How you will allocate points or weights across grade items.
Which grade items you want to associate with course objects (discussions, assignments, and quizzes).
How you want to calculate final grades.
Whether you want to use an organizational (standard) grade scheme or create your own.
DIID recommends instructors new to Brightspace utilize the Base Course Template grade settings:
Grading System:
Points
Grade Calculations:
Drop Ungraded Items
Automatically Keep Final Grades Updated
Default Grade Scheme:
NICC Grade Scheme - 90/80/70/60
Student View Display Options:
Display points grade values
Display grade scheme symbols
Display grade scheme colors
Display 2 decimal places for grade item values
Display 50 characters for Text type grade item values
Display the final grade calculation to users
Grade items in your grade book represent all the work that you want to evaluate users on in a course. Grade items can exist independently in your grade book, or you can associate numeric grade items with course objects such as discussions, quizzes, and assignments. Each grade item has an entry in the grade book, which you assign a grade to for each user. Depending on the grade item type you want to create, grade items can be graded numerically or based on a grade scheme.
Considerations for Grade Items
Grade Item visibility is adjustable, and individual grade items can also be excluded from grade calculation. DIID recommends all grade items included in grade calculation remain visible. Grade items that are excluded from grade calculation may be hidden by the instructor (embedded assessments, etc.)
Individual grade items can be designated for "Bonus" points or excluded from final grade calculation in the settings.
Point totals for assessments (quizzes, discussions, and assignments) can be set separately from associated grade item point totals. DIID recommends double-checking both assessment and grade item point totals to ensure they match prior to course start.
The Brightspace Gradebook exists to make student evaluation simpler for instructors and more transparent for learners. Gradebook doesn't only organize course grades but also hosts timely feedback from instructors, helping satisfy the need for regular and substantive interaction between learner and teacher. Adoption and regular usage of the Brightspace Gradebook is required in all NICC courses.
NICC has adopted a Final Calculated Grade across all courses. The final grade calculated by the grade book. You cannot adjust the final grade without adjusting grade item scores.
There are a few ways you can use the grade book as an alternate method for providing feedback to students:
Unassociated grade items: Create grade items that are not associated with Brightspace activities for things like class participation. You can use the item to score and/or provide feedback to students. They can be included or excluded in the final grade calculation.
Attaching rubrics to grade items: Brightspace does not currently support attaching rubrics to quizzes. You can get around this by attaching a rubric to the quiz's grade item and providing feedback there. This requires that the quiz and rubric be scored separately.