The CLE utilizes "Aggregation" to combine multiple scores into a single score. The default method is "Natural Aggregation," which offers options such as the Sum of grades, mean of grades, and weighted mean of grades, with or without extra credit, based on instructor preferences. It is generally advised to stick with the default Natural Aggregation. However, there are alternative aggregation methods available that might be suitable for different contexts or the same course.
To configure grade calculations, select an aggregation method in the Category Settings. The chosen method will determine course totals and subtotals for categories.
Please follow the steps below or contact the Learning Technology Group at Learningtech@ucsf.edu for further assistance.
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On the Gradebook Setup (Grades>Setup>Gradebook setup) page, locate the row that contains the title of the category.
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Click Edit In the Actions column (at right). The edit category page will open.
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Under the Grade category section, select a calculation method from the Aggregation drop-down menu.
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Mean of Grades
Method:
- Calculates the average of all grade items in the category (the sum of all grades divided by the number of grade items).
- If items in the category have point values different from the Max Grade of the category, grades will be adjusted proportionately.
- Does not allow grade items to be marked as Extra Credit.
- Allows categories to use Drop the lowest.
Best Use:
- To find the average percentage of multiple items.
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Weighted Mean Of Grades
Method:
- Each graded item is assigned a value (Weight) used to determine its relative importance in the overall calculation. Items with higher values will count more toward the final average. The weight does not need to be the same as the possible points for an item. If an item weights "0," that item will not be calculated in the total.
- If items in the category have point values different from the Max Grade of the category, grades will be adjusted proportionately.
- Does not allow grade items to be marked as Extra Credit.
- Allows categories to use Drop the lowest.
Best Use:
- To work with items or categories that are each worth a different percentage of the final grade. If using this method to compute the course total, we suggest weights add up to 100.
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Simple Weighted Mean of Grades
Method:
- When the "Simple weighted mean" aggregation strategy is used, a grade item can act as Extra credit for the category.
- The grade item's maximum grade will not be added to the category total's maximum grade
Best Use:
- an easy way of displaying percentage-based grades in real time.
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Mean of Grades
Method:
- Calculates the average of all grade items in the category (the sum of all grades divided by the number of grade items).
- If items in the category have point values different from the Max Grade of the category, grades will be adjusted proportionately.
- Does not allow grade items to be marked as Extra Credit.
- Allows categories to use Drop the lowest.
Best Use:
- To find the average percentage of multiple items.
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Natural
Method:
- Finds the sum of points for all items in the category.
- Allows grade items to be marked as Extra Credit.
- Allows categories to use Drop the lowest when specific criteria are met.
Best Use:
- To see the total number of points a student has earned out of the total points possible. A category total can be changed to display a percentage of points earned instead of the real numerical points.
To learn about other aggregation methods or look for contextualized examples of the aggregation, please check out the Grade Aggregation.
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- Configure other settings for the category as needed. To learn more about the category setting, please check out the grade category settings.
- At the bottom of the page, click Save changes. The grade book will automatically recalculate the subtotals for categories based on the aggregation method selected, and the course total based on the default (Natural) aggregation method.
- Click Continue to go back to the gradebook setup page.
Just as the category aggregation method determines the way the gradebook calculates the grade items in the category, the course aggregation method determines the way the gradebook calculates the course subtotals (aggregated scores in the categories). To configure the aggregation method for the course:
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On the Gradebook Setup (Grades>Setup>Gradebook setup) page, locate the row that contains the title of the course (top row of the gradebook).
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Click Edit In the Actions column (at right). The edit category page will open.
- Under the Grade category section, select a calculation method from the Aggregation drop-down menu. To learn more about aggregation methods, please check out the Grade Aggregation.
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At the bottom of the page, click Save changes. The grade book will regard each subtotal as an individual grade item and automatically recalculate the course total based on the aggregation method selected.
- Click Continue to go back to the gradebook setup page.