With the roll out of the new CCAPS-ATD Template, we advocating the use of weights for your class structure. If you use a raw points structure, the way you distribute the points across the course takes into consideration that a final exam or project is worth more than discussions or class participation. Some assessment/engagement categories are worth more than others. Thus, weights in a raw points structure have already been considered.
By using weighted grades in Canvas rather than a raw points structure, it offers more flexibility to easily make changes to the grade book structure:
- If you decide to add or subtract activities. You won't need to reassign points to all the other assignments, discussions or quizzes to re-balance the weights manually.
- If you wish to make certain categories of assessment in your class worth more of the grade, it is as easy as just changing it's weighted percentage rather than going into each activity and changing the points.
- In past CCAPS online courses, the grading structure had to be manually updated in the Google Doc syllabus if changes were made in the course site's grading structure. Now, changes made to the grading structure reflects the category weights in the Syllabus automatically. Also students can be directed to view the Assignments page to see a more up-to-date and detailed view of the points and weights structure of the course.
If your worry is how to figure out the math if students are asking about where they can focus their efforts on getting that A or B they desire, the "What-If" feature can take on the burden of that responsibility. A link to the Canvas Community resource will be linked in your Syllabus under Course Policies > Grade Calculation.
A great example and example of how weighted grades work can be seen in this wonderful video by Brent Warner: How Weighted Grades Work.
If you want to know how to make changes to your grade book weights, please read our tutorial on Changing Weights.
