Grades and students being kept up to date
I use a free online teacher's tool called ENGRADE. The students can see everything and follow there progress in the course. It also has a messaging system built into it so I can send emails out to the entire class. I love it.
Cynthia,
Getting cuurent and accruate grade information is very important to students. As for instructors, it gives a chance to offer our advice and suggestions, along with words of support and encouragement.
Barry Westling
Our school uses Gradekeeper, however the students do not have access to it. Since the students want to know their test grades asap, I grade all tests within 24 hours. The students really appreciate my efforts!
I use Engrade too. It's so convienent and easy and the students really appreciate the immediate feedback of being able to see their grades right away.
I have used a similar product on TRACS at my previous university. This is an excellent tool for organization and also to allow the students to know there status throughout the school year. I would often post all grades, but not have them weighted until near the end of the term or semester. The reason that I would do this is to avoid having that student who say "i only need to make a ___ on the final to maintain my A or B. I want my students to try their best on every exam and not "calculate" what it would take to minimally maintain a certain course average.
