When
preparing to teach a course in MyFIRE, the first step is to set up the
gradebook. It is a vital step for the course to function properly for both the
students and the instructor. This tutorial demonstrates how to set up a
gradebook within a course in MyFIRE.
1. Locate
the desired course in MyFIRE.
2. Select
the Grades tab in the navigation bar at the top of the page.
3. Select Setup Wizard.
4. When
the page refreshes, select start at the bottom of the page.
5. Next,
choose the desired grading system from Weighted, Points, or Formula.
a. Points display grades
as point values.
b. Weighted grades will
display grades as percentages of grades based on 100%.
c. Formula gradebooks are
point value gradebooks, but instructors have the option of choosing how the
final grade column is calculated. For help with formula gradebooks, please
reach out to 24/7 helpdesk (1-888-889-6599).
i. For example:
1. Weighted:
a. Assignments Category
(20% of final grade)
2. Points:
a. Assignments Category
(40 points)
6. Select continue at the bottom of the page.
7. When
the page refreshes, select Calculated Final Grade as this option will
allow students to view their grade as they continue in the course.
Additionally, instructors will still have the option to make final grade
adjustments when utilizing the calculated final grade option.
Note:
Calculate Final Grade and Automatically Release Final Grades will be selected
by default).
8. Select continue at the bottom of the page.
9. When
the page refreshes, choose the desired grade calculation. It is recommended to
select drop ungraded items and give zeros when grading throughout the weeks if
students do not submit their work. This will give students the most accurate
picture of their grade.
a. Drop Ungraded Items -
This option will not calculate the empty cells in the gradebook into the final
grade. Students will start out with an A in the course.
Note:
If zeros are not entered into the empty cells where students did not submit
until the end of the term or semester, the students will see a drop in their
grade and may be surprised by the change.
b. Treat Ungraded Items as
0 - This option would automatically give all empty cells in the gradebook
zeros. Students will start the course with an F and will need to earn their way
up the gradebook.
10. Next,
select automatically keep final grade updated
11. Select continue at the bottom of the page.
12. When
the page refreshes, choose the default grade scheme: Percentage or
Letter Grade
13. Select continue at the bottom of the page.
14. When
the page refreshes, choose the number of decimals to display for the
instructor view of the gradebook. The value must be an integer between 0 and 5.
The default decimal place is 2.
15. Select continue at the bottom of the page.
16. When
the page refreshes, select the student view display of the gradebook by
choosing the options below:
a. Choose the Grade
Details will automatically have the points grade, grade scheme symbol and
grade scheme color selected by default.
b. Enter the number of
decimals you want to display for your gradebook. The default decimal place
is 2.
c. Enter the number of
characteristics to display for text items. 50 characters is the maximum and
the default number.
d. The Final Grade
Calculation will automatically be selected.
e. Select Continue
f. Review the grades setup
summary then, select Finish
g. Choose Personal Display
options by selecting the Settings gear icon in the top right-hand corner
of the screen.
i. Choose if you want to
see students’ ID and username in the gradebook by selecting the
corresponding checkboxes.
ii. Select the instructor
view display of the gradebook by choosing the preferred grade details:
1. Points Gradebook
a. Points Grade - Achieved
points over total grade item points
b. Grade Scheme Symbol -
Percentage or Letter
c. Grade Scheme Color - a
color scheme that shows how students are performing per grade item:
i. Blue – A
ii. Green – B
iii. Yellow – C
iv. Light Orange/Peach - D
and above 50%
v. Red - Under 50% total
grade
2. Weighted Gradebook
a. Points Grade - Achieved
points over total grade item points
b. Weighted Grade -
ID&T does not recommend showing this option unless you want to see the
weight that grade items holds. This option will appear as a percentage.
c. Grade Scheme Symbol -
Percentage or Letter
d. Grade Scheme Color- a
color scheme that shows how students are performing per grade item
iii. Select the number of
characters cisplayed in the feedback Column. 50 characters is the maximum
and the default number.
iv. The number of
columns before user details repeat option is no longer valid and used due
to a system update. The User Details now scroll along as you move through the
page. Please skip to the next step.
v. Select the number of
users before the column header repeats to choose how often the grade item
titles repeat in the gradebook. The number of users are now managed through the
pagination at the bottom of the page. Please skip to the next
step.
vi. The Repeat Final
Grades option is automatically selected based on the Final Grade
Calculation chosen - This option allows for the Final Grade Column to be added
to the beginning of the Enter Grades view of the gradebook. ID&T recommends
leaving the repeat calculated final grade at the start of the user list checked
by default.
vii. The default page that
instructors see when navigating to the Grades tool is set to the Enter Grades tab. The start page view is optional and can be changed. However,
please keep in mind that when Grades is selected in the Navbar, the page that
is selected is the page that will appear. ID&T recommends keeping the
default enter grades page as your start page.
viii. Select Save
