Working with rubrics

Here are some good sources for working with rubrics:

Rubistar You can create a rubric by selecting a subject, then the specific criteria you want to use.

Simple rubric template Template can just be filled in with your own criteria and performance guidelines.

Rubrics in a nutshell The basics of creating a rubric.

Rubric collection 1 Collection from a graduate school that works with educators

Rubric collection 2 Another collection for educators

Rubric collection 3 Another collection for educators

Formatting student Edline reports

                Would you like more control over your reports in Edline?  There are a few things you can easily change that will make your reports more meaningful.

1.  While in Gradequick, and in one of your classes,  click on Reports, then on Edline Reports, and then on Single Term Only.  (This one is formatted for Edline, so is your best bet.)
2. You’ll see a possible report for one student.
3. Under Options, you may wish to uncheck Print Grade Scale (since it’s not the SBS grade scale).  You uncheck it by clicking on the check mark that’s there.
4. Under Tests, click on Test Info.  Here you’ll have many choices.  Do you want your students to compare themselves to the average (Mean), or do you want them to compare themselves to the high score (High Score).  I click on Use long test names so that the long description of each assignment is on the main part of the report, rather than at the bottom (reduces parent and student questions). 

You may want to experiment to see what you like.  You’ll have to click on OK to see what each of your choices looks like. 

Similarly under Tests there is Score Info.  You have some choices here, too. 

1.  Under  Students and Student Overall Statistics, you can add some statistical information to each student’s report.  Many reports when we first see them from Edline start with Rank showing, but I find it makes kids nastily competitive, so I have unchecked rank. 
2. When you have the report the way you want it, you want to save what you’ve selected.  This will save the report format for all your classes.  Click on Print, then Save Report Configuration.  That saves the report format for the Single Term Only report.

Making a paper backup of Gradequick gradebook

                Since many of us have dispensed with paper gradebooks, we may want to make a paper backup periodically.  While the Gradequick gradebooks are backed up electronically, it never hurts to have an extra backup (especially for those times when the computers are not available, or after the end of the school year).  Here’s how to do it:

1.  Click on Reports, then Spreadsheets, then Single term gradebook spreadsheet.
2. You will see a report that first lists all the assignments for the quarter (showing the long names), then a listing showing each student name going down the left side of the page, with each assignment (using the short name) going across the page.   The assignment information includes the date, possible points, and average score.
3. Print the report and now you have a paper backup.

Use Gradequick to make classlists

Using Gradequick to get a class list for recording grades by hand

                Sometimes you want to record student grades away from the computer.  Maybe you’re grading a discussion, or you have a pile of essays and want to record all the results in one place (so that you can enter it into Gradequick later).  Here’s how to do it:

1.  While in the specific class in Gradequick, click on Reports, then Spreadsheet.
2. There are several choices here:  blank spreadsheet, blank spreadsheet with numbered columns in portrait format (tall) , and blank spreadsheet with numbered columns in landscape format (sideways).
3. Choose the one you want and print it.

Shortcut for posting to Edline

Finding posting your Gradequick grades to Edline rather tedious?  Here’s a shortcut that sends all your grade reports at the same time.

1. Click on Reports, then Edline Reports, then Single Term Only.
2. Click on Print, then Send to Edline.
3. Here, click on Send several files and click on OK (usually you do this a class at a time).
4. Click on the classes you want to include.  Click on OK.
5. Click on Select all to select all your students. Click on OK.
6. Enter the name of the report, or just use a report name you have already used (click on the down arrow, then on the name you want to use).  I use Progress Report.
7. Click on Send this report.
8. You’ll get an Edline message telling you how many student records were updated for each class.

Other questions?  Let me know.

Fran Lo       Room 224