Marks Return Gradebook
- Natalie Hugo
- Ian Shaw (Unlicensed)
This page explains how to apply the new Marks Return gradebook template.
From 2019/20, it will be possible to pass class marks from Myplace to the marks return system, from where they can be checked and then sent to the student record system. A new gradebook template has been created to support the interaction with the marks return system, although it is not necessary to use this template in order to pass marks to the new marks return system. It will be possible to pass a category total from any Myplace gradebook to the marks return system.
The Marks Return gradebook template will apply up to four categories to your gradebook - coursework, practical, project and exam. It will also automatically pass a class total to the marks return system.
All assessments must be represented in Myplace
For the correct class total to be sent to the marks return system, all assessments, including exams, must be represented in Myplace.
Issues to be aware of
- it is not suitable for Myplace classes that serve more than one class code (see Multi-class sites gradebook)
- it cannot be rolled back once it has been applied; the change is permanent
- the weighting of the four categories cannot be changed from within the class gradebook; there is a separate tool for this
The steps below demonstrate how to use the Marks Return gradebook template.
We have used an example class in the steps below with an assessment regime as follows:
- Essay (35%)
- Report (15%)
- Presentation (15%)
- Exam (35%)
Step 1 - Provide the weightings for each of the four categories
Four categories of assessment
Firstly, you need to determine the weighting that each of the four broad categories of assessment contributes to your class total. For example, 50% coursework and 50% exam.
| EXAM | Formal exam taking place in one of the University's formal assessment (exam) periods, ie, semester one, semester two or resit diet |
| PROJECT | A piece of project work carrying a significant number of credits, eg, a dissertation |
| PRACTICAL | Any practical demonstration of skills and knowledge, eg, labs, presentations, posters, building an application, etc |
| COURSEWORK | Everything else! For example, essays, reports, class tests, etc. |
Please email ema-project@strath.ac.uk with the information and the class code to which it should be applied.
Our example class would use the following categories and weightings:
- Coursework (50%) - the essay and the report
- Presentation (15%) - presentation
- Exam (35%) - exam
Step 2 - Wait for confirmation that the data has been entered
You will be emailed with confirmation once the data has been entered.
Step 3 - Apply the categories to your gradebook
Applying the categories is a permanent change
Once you have applied the Marks Return gradebook template, it cannot be rolled back; it is permanent. You will be able to change the weightings that each category contributes, or even to later include one of the categories of assessment that your class doesn't currently use but you will be confined to using these four categories and the additional tool for controlling their weighting.
From the Administration block on the left, select Gradebook setup.
Check whether you have a Summative category.
Navigate to the Electronic Management of Assessment tab by clicking on 'View' then 'Electronic management of assessment'.
Check that the weighting for each of the categories is correct. Then, apply the categories to your gradebook using the 'Create the standard gradebook for this class' button.
The button will not be available until 18/09/19.
Our example class gradebook would now look like this:
Step 4 - Move the assessment activities into the correct categories
Click the box on the far right of each assessment item you would like to move to your first category. For our example class, we will start with the Coursework category.
Use the 'Move selected items to' dropdown list to select the category into which you would like to move them.
The items will then appear in the category you have chosen.
Repeat this for the activities for each category. Our example class would then look like this:
Click the 'Save changes' button at the bottom of your gradebook to ensure your new categories are saved.
Step 5 - If necessary, weight the assessment activities
If you have only one assessment item in a category, it is not necessary to weight the activity. The value of 100 is applied to the weighting of a single item in a category which simply means that it is worth the whole value of the category. You can substitute a different value if you prefer and it will not affect the calculation (see below).
The boxes which contain the weighting for each assessment activity are greyed out. Tick the small box to the left of the weighting box to enable you to edit the weighting.
Then enter the appropriate weight. For our example class, this is only necessary for the Coursework category.
Weightings are interpreted by Myplace as ratios. In the example on the right, the values of 35 and 15 could be substituted with 7 and 3 or 70 and 30 and the same calculation would be performed. You can read more about weightings in an article on weighting activities on this site.
Click the 'Save changes' button at the bottom of your gradebook to ensure your new categories are saved.
Your gradebook should now be ready for marks return.