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Creating Grade Items and Categories

Using Categories in your gradebook allows you to create headings that help organize your Grade Items. A category consists of one or more grade items. If you use a weighted grading system with percentages, you must use Categories to identify each weighted area. Click here to see an example of a weighted gradebook.

Updated Spring 2022

Create a Grade Category:

  1. Go to Course Admin -> Grades -> Manage Grades tab
  2. Create a Category by clicking on the New button and selecting Category.

When creating your category, be sure to include the weight (percentage of final grade) if you are using a weighted grading system.

You must determine how you would like the grade items in that category to be treated. Most often you would weigh them evenly, and possibly drop a lowest grade. You can make those selections here.

This example treats all grade items equally, and drops the lowest grade.

Be sure to click Save once you have made all the selections for your Category.

Create a Grade Item

  1. Go to Course Admin -> Grades -> Manage Grades tab
  2. Create a Grade Item by clicking on the New button and selecting Grade Item.

 

On the first page, you will need to choose what type of Grade Item this is. It is most common to use Numeric grades. These are best if you want Brightspace to calculate a final grade.

On the next page, you will make decisions about how your Grade Item is to be treated. Be sure to indicate which Category this Grade Item will be associated with, along with the point value.

As you scroll down, you will see an area where you can allow bonus points and choose a Grade Scheme. It is most common to choose Percentage as your grade scheme. It is possible to create your own custom grade scheme if you wish.

You can also associate a grading rubric with the Grade Item here. There are many Display Options available here as well. Be sure to click Save and Close when you are finished.