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.

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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 1	Numeric	Quizzes	100	50
Exam 2	Numeric	Quizzes	100	50
Essays				20
Essay 1	Numeric	Assignments	100	50
Essay 2	Numeric	Assignments	100	50
Lab				20
Lab 1	Numeric	Assignments	100	50
Lab 2	Numeric	Assignments	100	50
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 1	Numeric	Quizzes	125
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.