The Simple View allows instructors to organize and weight grades and grade categories in the gradebook. The weights or points in the Simple View should match the weight and points stated in your syllabus. Use your syllabus as a guide when setting up grades in the Simple View. Any activity in Moodle (forum, assignment, quiz) with a point value automatically appears in the Simple View to weight and arrange.
The Simple View offers a way to organize and weight grades in Moodle
There are two grading methods that are recommended by the Distance Learning Department. Each method is set from the dropdown menu at the top of the Simple View. Weighted mean of grades should be chosen when weights are used (for example, quizzes are worth 20% of the final grade). All categories in a weighted grading scheme should be set to simple weighted mean of grades. This allows for items in the category that are worth fewer point to be weighted with less importance. The course total and all categories totals should be 100.
Sum of grades should be selected when a total point value is used (for example, a perfect score in the course is 1000 points). All categories in a Sum of grades grading scheme should be set to Sum of grades. Each category total should be the sum of all assignments in the category (excluding extra credit). The course total should be the sum of all assignment in the course (hidden items do count towards the total).
There are numerous aggregation methods for grading. For the top course setting, Weighted mean of grades or Sum of grades are the two recommended.
Simple View Icons
Each item in the gradebook has 4 icons (quizzes do not have the eye icon, that is set under Review Option in the quiz).
Pencil icon
The pencil icon has little value except to change the maximum point value of the assignment
Arrows (Move) icon
Allows items in the gradebook to be moved. Click the blue arrows icon, then select the dotted box at the located you wish to move the item.
Eye icon
This icons allows the assignment to be hidden or made visible. An open eye shows for visible assignments, a closed eye apears for hidden items. Quizzes do not have this icon, visibility in quizzes is set under Review Options and the Marks checkbox.
Lock icon
Locks the assignment from receiving any new grades. Be careful not to hit it by accident. A locked item has an icon with a closed lock in place of an open lock.
Simple View icons. The blue arrows will move items in the gradebook. The eye icon hides grades from students (not available for Quizzes)
Moving Grade Items in the Simple View
To move multiple items in the gradebook at once into another category, use the “Move selected items to” dropdown box at the bottom of the Simple View. To move an item, check the box located under the select column for each grade item, then go to the Move dropdown menu and select the category for the items to move into. The items will move automatically once the category is selected.
This dropdown box allows for multiple items to be moved into categories at one time using the checkbox for each grade item.
Creating Categories and Grade Items in the Simple View
There are two items to create in the Simple View, categories and grade items. Categories are like folders, they store similar items in one place. Categories are a critical components of a well organized gradebook. No course gradebook should be without categories. To add a category, click the “Add category” button towards the bottom of the Simple View, then give the category a name and save it. Create a category for each area of assessment in your course that has multiple assignments.
Creating Grade items in the Simple View is optional. Grade items should be created when assignments are done outside of Moodle but still require grading. These items are usually in a hybrid or classroom course and are observed during class time. Creating a grade item i the Simple View allows a placeholder for the grade since there is no assignment in the course itself to represent it. To add a Grade item, click the “Add grade item button” towards the bottom of the Simple View, then give it a name and point value and save.
Categories help organize and weight similar items. Grade items allow a placeholder for assessment that occur during classroom time in a traditional or hybrid course.