These are examples of the Canvas gradebook flexibility. It is important that the gradebook is set up correctly to avoid misunderstandings on student progress. If your course grades need to reflect something more complex, contact your Academic Technology Services Director (ATSD) for assistance.
Points vs. Weighted Gradebook
Selecting the grading system you will use is the first step in building your course grade book. Grading systems dictate how the graded items in your course will calculate students’ final grades. Graded can include:
- Assignments (i.e. homework, papers, projects, etc.)
- Discussions
- Quizzes/Exams
- Participation
Typically two types of systems are used 1) Total Points or 2) Weighted Grades
Canvas allows instructors to setup the gradebook with either points or weights. An examples of both are listed below:
Points System Example
| Writing assignment #1 | 500 points |
| Writing assignment #2 | 500 points |
| Quiz #1 | 200 points |
| Quiz #2 | 200 points |
| Participation | 100 points |
| Total | 1500 points |
|---|
Weighted System Example
| Quizzes | 25% of grade | |
| Quiz #1 | 100-point scale | |
| Quiz #2 | 100-point scale | |
| Writing assignments | 50% of grade | |
| Writing assignment #1 | 100-point scale | |
| Writing assignment #2 | 100-point scale | |
| Participation | 25 % of grade | |
| Participation | 100-point scale | |