on line grade books
I have just set up my first online grade book. at first it was a challange, but now my life has been made easier, my students have feed back that they can use to keep themselves on track, and by keeping a tally on their grades, when i go to close out the class all it now takes is a click of the button.
I definitely agree. My first quarter teaching, I did all the grades myself. Afterwards, I was introduced to the EGB and have been loving it ever since. It's the greatest invention since "sliced bread" in my opinion. I would recommend all instructors to use it to simplify their academic lives.
I've tried some online grade books, but instead now use an Excel document that I modify for use in my classes. It was found online by someone sharing teaching templates. It was very well done, with areas for varying percentage of tests vs. quizzes, attendance, etc.
I think that an electronic gradebook would be very helpful but I agree that I don't think that students should have unlimited access to it. I think their grades should be communicated to them in person.
I am in love with the online grade book in Blackboard. Grades are so simplified -- I just enter everything as assignments are graded, and when mid-quarter comes about, I just print off individual reports using the built-in reporting tool. Couldn't be simpler!
Yes, once you get the hang of it, electronic grade books really are much easier than old conventional grad books. When instructors are new to these tools, they often have to invest a little time figuring them out. But the investment is well worth it!
That's great Gerry! Electronic grade books really do help you stay organized and you're right. You don't have to give students access to it at all. It can just serve your organizational needs.
I have never taught a class that didn't have an EGB. I can't imagine having to put all that info in a grade book by hand. Electronic Grade Books are the only way to go.
I use an electronic grade book. I just don't post it where the students have unlimited access to it.
Im have used electronic grade books for quite a while. they are so much easier and more organized than the old conventional grade books.
One of the risks of giving students comlete access to their grades as they go along is motivation. Many students will do only what they need to get by. Many others are only concerned with "the grade." I think the focus should be on what they learn, not necessarily the grade they get. I have had students who learned much more by failing at a task several times than they would have learned by muddling through it the first time. I think our entire education system is to geared towards "grades" and trying to come up with some method of measuring performance. I have an electronic grade book. I work with the students individually and can create "what if" scenarios to guide them. I try to stress the concept of understanding their results. They will tell you that one of the things I most dislike is when, in response to a question about a result they answer "I don't know, that's what I got." Maybe you have more students to keep track of than I do or maybe yours are more self motivating, but I don't feel mine would benefit from unlimited access.
