Using the WebCT Gradebook

The WebCT Gradebook is located in the Manage Students area of WebCT, and is also called the Student Record Table.

Accessing the Gradebook

1. Click the [Control Panel] button.
2. Under Manage Course, select Manage Students. WebCT displays the Gradebook (student data table) with a column for Last Name, First Name, Student ID, and each assignment or quiz that exists in the course.

Working with Columns

The Manage Columns function allows you to edit student records, scored quizzes, and the column characteristics that contain the data.

1. From the Manage Students view under Organize, select Manage Columns, and then click Go. WebCT displays a column type for each column alphanumeric, numeric, letter grade, selection box, calculated, text, and quiz.

2. You can use the Actions panel on the right side of the screen to check the status of columns: hidden or released. Remember: Students cannot see grades stored in columns that have not been released.

3. The Actions panel allows you to: Change column label, Align columns, Release columns, Show statistics, Show decimals, Allow self-registration (not applicable for our campus), Add column, Delete columns, Convert column type, Move item left, Move item right, and Set column defaults.

Setting Up a Calculated Column

A calculated column provides a column that allows you to calculate a total based on existing columns.

1. Add a new column. Enter the column name in the Label field.
2. In the Type field, choose calculated.
3. In the Actions panel under Organize, select Setup column. WebCT displays the Calculation Editor. You must use the mouse to click the keypad to enter a formula, including (parentheses), {brackets}, plus (+) and minus (–) signs.
4. First select the function: maximum, minimum, or sum. This example will add the points for all columns in the Gradebook. Choose sum.
5. Click Start list to enter the list of items to be added for a total. The Column menu (drop-down list) displays a list of quiz scores and assignment scores that you can insert into your formula with the [Insert] button. Insert the first item.
6. Click Next item to insert additional items.
7. When you have finished inserting items in your formula, click End list.
8. For more complex formulas, use the parentheses and the maximum and minimum functions.
9. When you have finished entering your formula, click the [Update] button at the bottom of the screen.

Sample Formulas for Calculated Columns

You can choose a function from the drop-down list and enclose the items in parentheses that you want that function to calculate, or you can insert the items and the calculator numbers and functions to create the formula.

Plan A

SUM{[Quiz1],[Quiz2],[Quiz3]}

1. Select sum from the Function menu.
2. Click Start list.
3. Insert the first item.
4. Click the [Next item] button.
5. Insert the second item.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all items have been added to the formula.
7. Click End list.
8. Click [Update] to save the formula.

Plan B

[Quiz1]+[Quiz2]+[Quiz3]

1. Insert the first item.
2. Click + on the calculation editor.
3. Insert the next item.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all items have been added.
5. Click [Update] to save the formula.

Both methods produce the same results.

Dropping the Lowest Grade   

To calculate a grade consisting of three quizzes, dropping the lowest grade:

SUM{[Quiz1],[Quiz2],[Quiz3]}-MIN SUM{[Quiz1],[Quiz2],[Quiz3]}

1. Select sum from the Function menu.
2. Click Start list.
3. Insert the first item.
4. Click the Next item button.
5. Insert the next item.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all items have been added.
7. Click End list.
8. Click the [–] button.
9. Select minimum from the Function menu.
10. Click Start list.
11. Insert the first item.
12. Click the Next item button.
13. Insert the next item.
14. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until all items have been added.
15. Click End list.
16. Click [Update] to complete the formula.

Making Grades Available to Students

The My Grades tool must be in your WebCT course.

Enter grades in the Manage Students area of the Control Panel.

You must release a column in order for students to be able to see their grades.

1. In the Actions panel of the Manage Columns window, click the list arrow to the right of Release columns.
2. Select Yes.
3. Click Go.

Creating a Letter Grade Column

A letter grade column can generate a letter grade from numeric grades in a numeric, calculated, or quiz column in the Gradebook. You create the letter grade column and select a numeric range for each letter grade. The default range is 0% to 100%. (You can create an alphanumeric column if you want to enter letter grades manually.)

1. Add a column.
2. Type the label in the Label field, and select Letter Grade in the Type field.
3. Click Manage Students in the breadcrumbs list at the top of the window.
4. Click the Grading Scheme link in the new Letter Grade column.
5. Click the list arrow next to Apply grading scheme to and select the column you’ve just created.
6. Click Use WebCT default to apply the default as shown. If you have already created a default for the course, click Use course default. You may edit the grading scheme shown.
7. If you’ve edited the default grading scheme, click Refresh ranges.

Column Attributes

Last Name, First Name, and User ID columns are required and appear as the first three columns in your Gradebook. These columns are not editable.

Attribute	Description
Label	The label is the column name, and each label must be unique.
Type	Type is a single letter code identifying the column type.
Alignment	Allows you to align the column left, center, or right.
Hidden	Allows you to hide a column in Manage Students, and is useful when you want to look at a few of many columns without having to scroll. Hiding a column does not affect the student’s ability to see it in My Grades if the column has been released.
Released	Allows you to selectively release columns to students for viewing. Students can only see columns that are released.
Statistics	Allows you to look at statistics for a column. This attribute applies only to numeric, quiz, and calculated columns. Options: None. No statistics are displayed. All: minimum, maximum, average, and median scores are displayed along with a histogram of score distribution. Mean Only: just the average score for that column is displayed.
Decimals	Allows you to control the number of decimal places displayed for a column. These options apply only to numeric, calculated, and quiz columns. Options: All: all decimals are displayed. 0: only integer values are displayed. 1: one decimal place is displayed. 2: two decimal places are displayed In all cases, values are rounded down. For example, a field containing a value of 79.6 would be displayed as 79 if the decimals value of the column is set to 0.
Account Creation	This feature does not apply on our campus.

Column Types

Type	Editable?	Description
A Alphanumeric	Yes	Column contents can contain letters and/or numbers.
N Numeric	Yes	Column can contain numbers only.
L Letter Grade	No	Column can contain generated letter grades equivalent to numeric grades in a specified numeric, calculated, or Quiz column.
S Selection Box	Yes	Column contains a drop-down list from which the Course Designer can select.
C Calculated	No	Column contains results of a formula created in the Calculation Editor.
M Text	No	Column can contain letters and numbers that require several lines. You might use it for comments or addresses, for example.
E Assignments	Yes	Column is created automatically when an Assignment is added with the Assignments tool.
Q Quiz	No	Column is created automatically when a Quiz is created with the Quiz tool. You can edit quiz scores by using the Submissions button in the Quiz tool.