E-gradesFAQ
From Academic Computing
[edit] How do I use e-Grades?
A: There is online documentation here with step-by-step directions for using e-Grades.
[edit] How will I know which students I need to enter midterm grades for? Do I have to consult my roll sheet to figure out which ones are freshmen?
A: During midterm grading, Blackboard will automatically draw the information from Oasis regarding freshman status, and the students who require grades will be highlighted, with a grading option next to their name. Students who do not require grading will be "grayed-out" and will not need any assignment. Once the freshmen have been given grades, simply click Submit, and the request will process. Any problematic grades will show up on the confirmation screen. Note that during final grading all students in the list will require grades, as anyone having dropped the course will be automatically removed from this list.
[edit] What are the differences between the two types of sources, Gradebook vs. Manual Entry?
A: If you use Blackboard's Gradebook tool and are happy with the Total column in it as an assessment of the students' final standing, use Gradebook as the source and the grades will automatically be drawn in from it. With this method, you will still have an opportunity to modify grades before submitting them. If you do not use the Gradebook tool, use Manual Entry and you will be assigning each grade individually. If you use the gradebook tool, but wish to use a column that you have calculated personally, choose the apropriate column name where you have entered those grades from the drop-down menu when using the gradebook option as the source of grades.
[edit] What happens to my midterm grades once the final grading period begins? Will I be able to look at them?
A: Up until the start of final grading, the midterm grades will display whenever you return to the e-Grades link for your course. Once final grading opens, this screen will instead appear "open" so that you can begin to enter the final grades. However, the midterm grades will still be accessible through a link at the top of the screen.
[edit] If, at some point during the open grading period, I realize that I have made an error and need to change one or two grades, do I need to reset everything and start over?
A: No. When you re-enter the e-Grades submission area from your Control Panel, scrolling all the way down you will see a Modify button. Click on this to enable changing of individual grades. When you are finished, re-Submit and you will get a new confirmation with the modified grades.
[edit] What is the function of the "type Yes box"?
A: At any point during the open grading period, an instructor may wish to reset the grading process and start from scratch, and this option is available to you. Since, in so doing, you are completely clearing all your previus work on the Blackboard side of e-Grades, the "Yes" box prevents anyone from accidentally doing so and potentially losing work. Note that once the final grading deadline passes, any grade changes will need to be performed by the "change of grade forms through the Office of the Registrar. When resetting, you are clearing your previous records on the Blackboard side of e-Grading, but any previously submitted grades will still be in OASIS until replaced with new grades.
[edit] Why do I need to enter "date last attended" when assigning a grade of "I" or "F" to a student?
A: By law, the Financial Aid Office is required to report to the government any students who are collecting financial aid but not attending their courses. The eGrading system allows an unprecedented level of recording of this information, so Financial Aid has requested it be used in this fashion. The Office of the Registrar can give you more information on this requirement.
If a precise date is not known, please approximate to the best of your knowledge. If your course has an online element, Blackboard offers a useful tool for tracking students' involvement called the Student Performance Assistant, which can be accessed from its link in your Control Panel. For more information on using SPA, check out this link: http://wiki.acomp.usf.edu/index.php/Student_Performance_Assistant
[edit] Is there any way that I can have my TA do my e-Grades for me?
A: Only the Instructor of Record for a course can submit grades electronically, since it is the same academic process as signing the bubble sheet in the former system. However, if you would like to allow a TA to perform the tasks of tallying and grade assignment this is certainly possible. Have them implement the Gradebook tool for you, and when you are satisfied that the Total column reflects an accurate final standing for your students, simply enter e-Grades submission from your Control Panel and use Gradebook as the source. The grades will be filled in automatically for you; click Submit and you are done.
[edit] Do I submit e-Grades if my course has no students enrolled?
No, if you don't have any students, you do not need to submit grades. Doing so may cause backups in the system and the administrator would need to be contacted.
[edit] What grade do I submit for students who have audited?
For students who have audited the course, select an arbitrary grade to submit. The grade will not be recorded in OASIS, so any grade is fine.
[edit] What do I do about "Z" graded courses?
As in past terms, the "Z" grade is assigned by the University Registrar before grading begins. No e-Grades action from the instructor is required for thesis and dissertation sections. I agree that it would be helpful if Blackboard gave an indication as to which students have received an automatic grade (i.e. W, N, Z, and -).
The grading system established by the university faculty does not provide for a "blank" grade. Faculty are required to provide a valid grade from the approved university grading system by the deadline set by the Provost (11:59 p.m., Tuesday, December 19).
[edit] Where can I find a copy of the grading policies from the registrar?
The complete grading system is available for review here.
[edit] When is an "I" grade appropriate?
An "I" grade may be assigned if the student has not completed the coursework. Please see the undergraduate catalog for the requirements the faculty have set for assigning an "I" grade which is located here.
[edit] What do I do if a student has applied for a late drop?
If a late drop is approved then the grade will be completely removed from the student's transcript. The instructor waiting for the approval of the late drop needs to assign the grade that reflects the student's performance regardless of any pending appeal.
[edit] What happens if I don't assign a grade for a student?
Failure to assign a grade only delays the ultimate assignment of an "F" or "U." The missing grade is converted to an "M" when it is applied to the student's transcript. This can have immediate dire financial aid consequences for the student; especially when no date of last attendance is provided. After only a semester the "M" is converted to an "F" or "U" grade anyway.
