Applying Weighting to Course Grades in ISU Canvas

Description

This article provides instructions on how to applying weighting to course grades in ISU Canvas at Idaho State University (ISU). In ISU Canvas, you can weight final grades based on assignment groups. Selecting this option assigns a weight to each assignment group, not the assignments themselves. Within each assignment group, a percentage is calculated by dividing the total points a student has earned by the total points possible for all assignments in that group.

Guide Navigation

Adding Weights to Assignment Groups

In ISU Canvas, weights are added to course grades by creating groups in the Assignments page:
  1. From your course, in Course Navigation, click the Assignments link.
  2. Click the Assignments Options icon (3 dots) and select the Assignment Groups Weight option.
  3. Click the Weight final grade based on assignment groups checkbox.
  4. Enter the percentage weights for each of the different Assignment Groups you created. The percentage weights you specify here will determine how Canvas calculates the final grade for your course. 
  5. Click the Save button.

For more information see, How do I weight the final course grade on assignment groups? (external link).

Commonly Asked Questions About Course Grade Weighting

Q: Can I modify the weights after grades have been posted?

  • A: Yes. Weights can be changed at any time and students will be notified when any changes are made.

Q: Will students see the weights in the gradebook?

  • A: Yes. Weights will show up in the Gradebook for both students and instructors.

Q: Do the weights have to total to 100%?

  • A: No. The total percentage of all assignment groups can be set above or below 100%.
  • If an assignment group is weighted to zero percent, any course items added to the group will not count toward the final grade.
  • Assignment group weights can include decimals.

Q: How does the math work?

  • A: Within each assignment group, a percentage is calculated by dividing the total points a student has earned by the total points possible for all assignments in that group. For example, if an assignment group included three assignments totaling 25 points, and a student's scores totaled 15 points, the student would earn 60% for the assignment group (15/25). This percentage is then multiplied by the selected group weight. Each assignment group calculation is added together to create the final grade.
  • Another example: An instructor created three assignment groups (A, B, and C) weighted at 20%, 50%, and 30%, respectively. The total score equation for a course with three assigned groups would be (percentage A x weight A) + (percentage B x weight B) + (percentage C x weight C) = final course percentage. If a student scored 75% in Group A, 98% in Group B, and 87% in Group C, the final score would be calculated as (.75 x .20) + (.98 x .50) + (.87 x .30) = .901 or 90.1%.
  • The final score calculation is changed if there are no graded items in an assignment group. In this case, all assignment groups with graded items will be divided by their combined weight, and the assignment groups without graded items are removed from the equation. For example, if the previous example were adjusted so Group C contained no graded discussions, assignments, or quizzes, the calculation for final score would be [(.75 x .20) + (.98 x .50)] .70 = .9143 or 91.43%.

 

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