Grading and feedback in activities

In MoodleRooms, assignments can be graded in two ways. It depends on the activity type used if it is possible to use both of the following or only the latter. 

A. Grading within the activity

B. Grading in the gradebook

Activities linked to the gradebook

The activities marked with green in the image below have a potential link to the gradebook. This means that if grading is turned on in the activity settings, the grades marked by teachers in the activity are automatically visible in the gradebook. The grading can be done either in the activity itself or in the gradebook.  

If other activities need to be graded, a new graded item must be created manually in the gradebook. Grading is done in the gradebook, although teachers have to check the completion in the activity. 

How to turn grading on in an activity?

In an activity linked to a gradebook, grading is turned on in the activity settings. Whenever you are adding a new activity, the settings page opens up. If you need to change the settings of an already existing activity, click on the pen icon below the activity on the course area (see the first image below). However, if you have already opened the activity, settings can be accessed by clicking the admin wheel and choosing settings (see the second image below). 

Once the activity settings are opened, choose the title Grade (titles listed in the right hand side).

In the image below you'll see an example of an assignment's activity settings, the grade title opened and highlighted. The grade title is found in the same location on all of the activity types allowing grading. The drop down menus under the Grade title are a bit different, depending on the activity. Below there is an example of an assignment's grade settings.

1. Type drop down menu

There are three types of grading: points, scale and no grade. By default with newly created assignments, the grade type is always points and usually it should be changed! 

  • Points maximum is 100, and teachers may set the maximum points between 0 and 100. Choose points only if you are grading the submission with points. Points do not mean numerical grading! In the quiz activity points is the only allowed type of grading (quiz activity).
  • Scales are pre-defined scales. When you choose this grading type, you also need to define the exact scale in the next drop down menu.
  • None means that the activity is not graded and will not appear in the gradebook.  

2. Scales drop down menu

This drop down menu is activated when you choose scale in the Type menu. The pre-defined scales are organized alphabetically by title. Scales can be created on a course level, but by default in the drop down menu you will see the scales defined by administration. If you want to use your own scales, create them before setting up grading in activities. The maximum grade will change automatically to match the chosen scale. 

  • Completion is the default because it is first in the alphabetical order. Choose this scale if the activity is marked either completed/not completed.
  • Pass/fail is the English equivalent of Hylätty/Täydennettävä/Hyväksytty.
  • Numeraalinen arviointi/numeral grades are used when grading is done with the Finnish general scale 1 to 5.
  • Suoritusmerkintä is the Finnish equivalent of Completion

 3. Maximum grade

The maximum points will change automatically to match the chosen scale. The change will appear after saving changes. If you are using Points, you may define the maximum points here (between 1 and 100).

 

4. Grading method

Keep it with simple, direct grading. It is possible to create evalution rubrics, evaluation phrases and checklists and turn them on here. These grading methods, however, are not used in Diak. 

 

5. Grade category

You may choose a grade category only if you have created new categories in the gradebook manually. Otherwise the default category is used.

 

6. Grade to pass

Grade to pass defines the level after which the submission is automatically marked as passed and given a green colour in the gradebook. Submissions below the level are shown with a red colour in the gradebook. The colours are only visible in the grader view so students are not able to see them. This feature is useful if you are considering the automated progress along a path of many activities on a course area.