Adding Grading Schemes in ISU Canvas

This article provides instructions on how to use grading schemes in ISU Canvas at Idaho State University (ISU).

A grading scheme is a set of criteria that measures varying levels of achievement in a course. On a course level, instructors can apply grading schemes to both students' final grades and for individual assignments. Without a grading scheme, by default scores are not measured against any specific standard. Note: Account-level (traditional letter grade) grading schemes automatically appear by default within all ISU Canvas courses. 

There are basically three types of grading schemes: Letter grades with a percentage range, GPA Scale and Performance. Letter grades will be the most commonly used grading scheme. However, some faculty may want to modify the letter grade percentages or create a scale such as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. 

• Grading Schemes Frequently Asked Questions
• Additional Resources
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Q: How do I add a grading scheme?

• A: To add a new grading scheme, click on Settings in the navigation menu.

1. Scroll down to the Grading Scheme settings. You can View the default letter grade scheme, copy one and modify it, or create a New Grading Scheme. 
2. After creating the new grading scheme, select it so that it appears in the Grading Scheme window and select the box next to Enable course grading scheme
3. Select Update Course Details
4. To add it to an assignment, Edit the assignment settings:
5. Set the number of points possible
6. Select the Assignment Group
7. Select the Display Grade as type and click on the selection menu below the Display Grade as and choose the new grading scheme that you created.

Q: How do I add a grading scheme to an assignment?

1. A: Select New Grading Scheme either in the course settings or from within an assignment
2. The Grade by will be Percentage
3. Delete all the default letter grade rows leaving only the number of rows you will need for the scale. For example, if the scale is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory you would only need two letter grade rows.
4. Click in the Letter Grade boxes and type the text you want and set the ranges.

Q: How do I add a scale grading scheme to an assignment?

• A: The assignment will need to be worth at least 1 point and the Display Grade will be Letter Grade
• Select the grading scale from the menu and Save

Q: How do I grade an assignment with a scale grading scheme?

1. A: Select the assignment and then select SpeedGrader
2. In the Grade box under Assessment, type a 1 for Satisfactory and a 0 for Unsatisfactory
3. When you select Submit, the information in the Grade box will change from the number you entered, to the scale text

Q: What will students see when I grade with a scale grading scheme?

• A: If the grade is Satisfactory, students will see 1 (Satisfactory) - if the grade is 0, they will see 0 (Unsatisfactory).