This guide contains tutorials on the Setup Wizard in Gradebook, how to create categories and grade items in the gradebook, how to associate a classroom activity with a grade item, and more.
Note: Since Gradebook is one of the more robust tools in Brightspace, we recommend contacting asktei@sjcme.edu for gradebook set up.
Brightspace's Gradebook is a robust but useful tool. Student submissions in Dropbox and quiz results (on certain quiz types) can be set up to go directly to gradebook which will cut down your grading time. You can also easily weight grades and adjust the weights as needed (in individual grade categories and as well as the final course grade).
Be sure to check out the tutorials below. Several of the videos are produced by Brightspace, but if you have any questions please reach out to asktei@sjcme.edu.
Gradebook Set Up:
We recommend reaching out to asktei@sjcme.edu for help with gradebook set up. There are many moving pieces in the Gradebook tool - we are happy to help navigate them with you!
What is the Gradebook Tool?
The Gradebook tool in Brightspace is one of the most useful and robust tools in the platform. Watch this video produced by Brightspace to get a general understanding of how it works.
Note: Brightspace videos often refer to the Dropbox tool as "Assignments" or the "Assignment Tool", but they are the same tool with the same features.
There is no corresponding PDF to go along with this video. If you have question, please contact asktei@sjcme.edu.
Understanding Grades (2.43 minutes)
What is the Setup Wizard in the Grades tool?
The Set Up Wizard allows you to lay the foundation for your gradebook such as choosing whether it is a Weighted or Points gradebook, how to treat ungraded items, display options, and more. Once you have completed the Setup Wizard, you are ready to add categories and grade items to your gradebook (tutorials are provided on the How to Create a Category and How to create a Grade Item guides, but we recommend reaching out to asktei@sjcme.edu for assistance).
To learn more about the Set Up Wizard in the Grades tool, view the video below.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, please see the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
The Setup Wizard (3.35 minutes)
Why Create Categories?
Categories are a way to organize your Brightspace gradebook. For example, you can create categories of related grade items such as assignments and quizzes. Once you have created grade categories in your gradebook, it is easy to add grade items to them (these are the items that will receive a score in your gradebook).
Note: If you are using a weighted gradebook with percentages, you will need to add Categories to organize each weighted area. For example, Quizzes 25%, Written Assignments 40%, etc. If you have questions, please let asktei@sjcme.edu know.
Why Create Grade Items?
You will use grade items to build your gradebook. Check out this detailed resource from D2L to learn more!
Watch this video produced by Brightspace to learn how to create a category in your gradebook.
Create Categories in Gradebook (2 minutes)
Watch this video produced by Brightspace to learn how to create grade items in your Gradebook.
Create Grade Items in Gradebook (2 minutes)
Why Associate an Activity with a Grade Item?
Graded assignments in your course should be linked to the gradebook by associating the activities with grade items.
Watch this video produced by Brightspace to learn more.
Note: The video covers how to associate a discussion topic with a grade item. The PDF covers how to associate a Dropbox assignment and a Quiz with a grade item.
Associate an Activity with a Grade Item (2.08 minutes)
Why Would I Manually Enter Grades in Gradebook?
1| Incomplete or Skipped Assignments
Sometimes a student will not complete or will completely skip an assignment. When this happens, you'll need to enter a "0" score in the Grades area for the student for that assignment. Otherwise, Brightspace automatically "drops" the assignment from the grade calculation (since your gradebook is set up to Drop Ungraded Items, so it won't be factored into the student's overall grade. The student's final grade will be higher than it should be.
2| Assignments Outside of Brightspace
Your course might have assignments that take place outside of Brightspace; for example, students might be contributing to a wiki or on an external website, or they may earn credit for volunteering as part of a service learning experience. In these cases, you'll need to enter scores for the assignment in the grades area.
Watch this video to learn how to manually enter grades in the Gradebook area.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, please view the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
Manually Enter Grades in Gradebook (1.36 minutes)
Why View Student Grades by Section?
If you teach more than one section of a course, you may choose to view each section separately. Watch this short video to learn how.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, please view the PDF below the video or in the Written Instructions box on the right-hand side of the page.
Viewing Student Grades by Section (1 minute)
More information coming soon!
Why Should I Release the Final Adjusted Grade?
You want to release the final adjusted grade so that students can see their final grade in Brightspace.
For more information, please watch the video below.
Note: If you prefer written instructions, please see the PDF below the video or in the Written Instruction box on the right-hand side of the page.
Release Final Adjusted Grades (1.48 minutes)
I need help setting up the gradebook in my Brightspace course.
We are happy to assist you in the creation or review of your gradebook. Just send an email to asktei@sjcme.edu, and someone will be in touch to work with you.