Difference between a Weighted and Points Gradebooks

In D2L you can use either a Points grading system or a Weighted system. Either is a valid choice. But whichever you use, it must be the one you describe in your syllabus.

Weighted by Category

  • The grades are organized by category.
  • Each category is assigned a weight.
  • All category weights add up to 100%
  • The number of points any grade item is worth is irrelevant because the percent score is multiplied by the category weight.

Points by Activity

  • Grades may be organized by category, chronologically, or in any order desired.
  • Each grade item is worth a certain number of points toward the total points possible.
  • The more points an item is worth, the more weight it will have in the final grade. 
  • The final grade is calculated by dividing the number of points attained by the total points possible.
      
RECOMMENDED:  It is helpful to students for you to organize your gradebook the way it is in your syllabus. 

For example, if your syllabus contains the grading structure below: 

Weighted System

Exams - 25%
Essays - 20%
Lab - 20%
Quizzes - 20%
Discussions - 15%

Then your Manage Grades tab should look like this:

Grade Item
Type    
Association    
Max. Points
Weight
Exams



25
    Exam 1NumericQuizzes10050
    Exam 2
Numeric
Quizzes
10050
Essays



20
    Essay 1
Numeric
Assignments
10050
    Essay 2
Numeric
Assignments
10050
Lab



20
    Lab 1
Numeric
Assignments
10050
    Lab 2
Numeric
Assignments
10050
Etc.



Points System

Exams - 250
Essays - 200
Lab - 200
Quizzes - 200
Discussions - 150

Then your Manage Grades tab should look like this:

Grade Item
Type    
Association    
Max. Points
Exams



    Exam 1NumericQuizzes125
    Exam 2
Numeric
Quizzes
125
Essays



    Essay 1
Numeric
Assignments
100
    Essay 2
Numeric
Assignments
100
Lab



    Lab 1
Numeric
Assignments
100
    Lab 2
Numeric
Assignments
100
Etc.