How do I use weighted mean for my gradebook?
You will learn how to change the default course aggregation method from "Natural" (sum of grades) to "Weighted mean of grades". This will allow you to weigh individual Grade items and/or Categories of Grade items.
1. Look at the grade weights within your syllabus.
| Grade Items | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Course Acceptance Message | 2% |
| Weekly Discussions | 40% (8@5% each) |
| Paper 1 | 10% |
| Paper 2 | 10% |
| Paper 3 |
40% |
| TOTAL | 102% |
2. Enter your course.
3. Click on the Gear icon.
4. Select Gradebook setup.
5. The Gradebook setup page will display.
Follow this guide if you need to learn how to add Grade items to the gradebook.
Note that the Max grade column shows a maximum value of 402 points.
6. Click on Edit.
Each Category and each Grade item has an associated Edit link. Click on the Edit link for the main grade category which by default has the same name as the course name.
7. Click on Edit settings.
8. Select Weighted mean of grades from the drop-down menu.
Use the Aggregation drop-down menu to select Weighted mean of grades. We need to weigh the grades because the points are not equivalent to the weights.
9. Adjust the Course total to reflect the total on the syllabus.
The default for the Maximum grade with Weighted means of grades is 100 points, but this sample syllabus is set for 102.
10. Click on Save changes.
11. View the Gradebook page.
Note that the Max grade column now shows a maximum value of 102.
12. Use the Weights column to assign a weight to each grade item and/or category.
The weights should equal the Max grade column total possible.
13. Click on Save changes.
Your gradebook is now set to weigh each grade item relative to each other.
Article Summary
You have now learned how to change the course aggregation method from Natural to Weighted mean of grades.