This entry relates to the Gradebook.

If you set up a marking guide (an advanced grading feedback form) when you created an assignment or forum, you can mark online in FLO.

• Mark an assignment using an online marking guide
• Mark a forum using an online marking guide

Mark an assignment using an online marking guide

1. Open the assignment. On the Grading summary page, either:
• click the View all submissions button and then click the Grade button for a particular student; or
• click the Grade button to grade the first student in the list of submissions
  
  
2. The marking guide will appear on the right side of the page in the Grade section
   
   
   To enlarge the marking guide:
   
   

   Option 1
   
   Click the Zoom in/out of region icon (in the grade section)
   
   
   

   Option 2
   
   Click the Collapse review panel button (bottom right of page)
   
   
   
   Click the Restore default layout (middle) button after you have finished marking

    



3. Click in the text box underneath the criterion to type any comments and/or click the Insert frequently used comment button if comments were set up when building the marking guide

   
   
   

4. Click in the grade box to provide a mark for the criterion

   
   
   
5. Continue including comments and a grade for all criterion

6. Save your changes

Mark a forum using an online marking guide

1. Open the forum and click the Grade users button
   
   
   
2. To search for a particular student to mark, click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the grading area, or use the arrow buttons to move through students sequentially
   
   
   
3. The marking guide will appear in the grading area on the right 
   
   
   
4. Enter a grade in the Score out of ... text box and any feedback in the Additional comments text box for all criterion
   
   
   
5. Click the Save button (top right of screen)
   
   Note: The Close button returns you to the forum activity

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

If you set up a rubric (an advanced grading feedback form) when you created an assignment or forum, you can mark online in FLO.

• Mark an assignment using an online rubric
• Mark a forum using an online rubric

Mark an assignment using an online rubric

1. Open the assignment. On the Grading summary page, either:
• click the View all submissions button and then click the Grade button for a particular student; or
• click the Grade button to grade the first student in the list of submissions
  
  
2. The rubric will appear on the right side of the page in the Grade section
   
   
   To enlarge the rubric:
   
   

   Option 1
   
   Click the Zoom in/out of region icon (in the grade section)
   
   
   

   Option 2
   
   Click the Collapse review panel button (bottom right of page)
   
   
   
   Click the Restore default layout (middle) button after you have finished marking

    



3. Click on the relevant performance standard for each criterion, they will appear in green

   
   
   

4. Click in the text box at the end of the criterion to type any comments

   
   
   
5. Save your changes

Mark a forum using an online rubric

1. Open the forum and click the Grade users button
   
   
   
2. To search for a particular student to mark, click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of the grading area, or use the arrow buttons to move through students sequentially
   
   
   
3. The rubric will appear in the grading area on the right 
   
   
   
4. Select the relevant performance standard option for each criterion (the default option is Not set) and include any comments in the Additional feedback text box
   
   
   
5. Click the Save button (top right of screen) to save the grades
   
   Note: The Close button returns you to the forum activity

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

If you set up a marking guide, rubric or checklist (an advanced grading feedback form) when you created an assignment or forum, you can mark using the feedback form online in FLO.

• Mark in FLO using a marking guide (assignments and forums)
• Mark in FLO using a rubric (assignments and forums)
• Mark in FLO using a checklist (assignments)
  Please note: Currently, the checklist can only be used in marking assignments (not forums)

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

Set up an assignment for offline marking using a feedback template

Uploading a feedback template (usually a Word document) will allow you (later, during the marking process) to download a zip folder containing a copy of the marking guide for each student with the correct naming convention to be uploaded back into the assignment. FLO refers to these as feedback files. You will then be able to complete the feedback file (marking guide/rubric etc) for each student, zip up all feedback files and return to FLO in a one-step process.

1. Create an assignment (Turn editing on > Add an activity or resource > Assignment)

2. On the settings page, look for the Feedback template option (under Feedback types)

3. Click Add to upload a file, and select the file on your computer. Alternatively, you can drag the file from your computer onto the file upload box

   
   
   
4. Click Save and display

Set up an assignment/forum for online marking using advanced grading

First, you need to decide which advanced grading method best suits your needs – a marking guide, rubric or checklist (see examples below). You can experiment with all of them, but once you have set up one type you will lose the settings you created if you switch to another type (ie you will have to build the new one from scratch).

Set up – all options (marking guide / rubric / checklist)

Marking guide example

A marking guide allows for a comment and score against each criterion. The score is determined based on marker discretion, out of a maximum score for each criterion. You can also set up frequently used comments. Build a marking guide

Rubric example

A rubric allows for a number of performance standards, a score and a comment for each criterion. The score is prescribed based on the performance standard reached. Build a rubric

Checklist example

A checklist allows for a series of items (ie criterion) and point values for each. The maximum value of the checklist is equal to the sum of all items. Students are awarded either all or no points for each item. Build a checklist

Glossaries give students the opportunity to create their own content and are a powerful tool for critical thinking, collaboration and sharing. 

The glossary can also become a legacy or resource for future topics. It is a product that could potentially be converted into a publishable resource (eg create your own textbook). 

1. Plan your glossary

The glossary tool enables participants (students) to create and maintain a list of definitions or to collect and organise resources/information. If the glossary auto-linking filter is enabled, entries will be automatically linked where the concept works and/or phrases appear within the topic.

A teacher can allow comments on entries (eg peer review, additional information). Entries can also be rated by teachers or students (peer evaluation). Ratings can be aggregated to form a final grade which is recorded in the Gradebook.

Glossaries have many uses, such as:

• a collaborative bank of key terms
• a 'getting to know you' space where new students add their name and key details
• a 'handy tips' resource of best practice in a practical subject
• a sharing area of useful videos, images or sound files
• a revision resource of facts to remember

2. Build your glossary

You have planned your glossary. Now you are ready to set up your glossary. Students will be able to create an entry and add comments (if you choose Yes), but will not be able to rate an entry without further steps (see Glossary - optional settings).

Create a glossary activity

1. In the topic, click Turn editing on 
    
2. In the week/module where you want to add the glossary, click Add an activity or resource  
   
   
   
3. Select Glossary and click Add
   
   
4. Give the glossary a Name and Description
   
   
5. Under Entries, amongst other options you can choose to allow comments (default is No)
   
   
   
6. Under Appearance, select Display format. There are 7 display formats: 
   
   • Simple, dictionary style - No authors are displayed and attachments are shown as links
   • Continuous without author - Entries are displayed one after another without any separation apart from the editing icons
   • Full with author - A forum-like display format showing the author's data and with attachments shown as links
   • Full without author - A forum-like display format without authors and with attachments shown as links
   • Encyclopedia - As for "Full with author" but attached images are shown inline
   • Entry list - Concepts are listed as links
   • FAQ - The words QUESTION and ANSWER are appended to the concept and definition respectively  
     
     
     
     Timeline block: Using the 'Expect completed on' date in the Activity completion section will show a date to students in the Timeline block.
     
     
7. Click the Save and display button
   
   
8. Click on the Browse by category tab (1), then the Edit categories button (2). Adding categories to a glossary means you can apply them to entries (and have more than one) which makes for easier searching/navigation
    
   
   
9. Click Add Category, and name your category
   
   
   
   
10. Use the Automatically link this category drop-down menu to select whether or not you would like to automatically link the category. For more information about auto-linking, see Set up auto-linking in a glossary entry
    
    
11. Click on the Save changes button. Repeat steps 9 & 10 as required (you can also return to this at any time).
    
    
12. The categories you create will allow users the option to browse by the glossary by category
    

Optional settings

See the following links for more options about using the Glossary activity:

• Moderate glossary entries before they are published
• Set up ratings in a glossary
• Set up auto-linking in a glossary entry

3. Test your glossary

To make sure your glossary works as expected, create a test entry (this can be deleted once you are happy with the result).

Add a glossary entry

1. Click the Add a new entry button
   
   
2. Fill in the required fields
   
   
3. Click Save changes 
   
   
4. Once your entry has been added, try searching for the entry. In the search box type in the name of your entry
   
   
5. Click search
   
   
   
6.  Your entry should now appear. To delete the entry press the trash icon. You can also preview the content by previewing it as a student.

4. Administer your glossary

In order to administer your glossary, you can use a variety of functions (listed below). You can moderate entries, set up ratings, import and export entries.

This entry relates to the Glossary activity.

Glossary has some optional settings which you can use, depending on the glossary's purpose and what you want students to do.

• Moderate glossary entries before they are published
• Set up ratings in a glossary
• Set up auto-linking in a glossary entry
  

Moderate glossary entries before they are published

1. Edit your glossary's settings
   
   
   
2. Open the Entries section and, change Approved by default to No
   
   
   
   
3. Click Save and display
   
   
4. To moderate glossary entries, view the list of glossary entries, and click on the Waiting approval link in the top right corner of the page.
   
   

Set up ratings in a glossary

You may wish students to rate other students' work (peer assess). If making this part of the assessment, you could then view the ratings and determine an overall rating for a student. Glossary entries can be rated using a scale. By default, only teaching staff can rate glossary entries, though students can be given permission to do so if desired (see step 2 below). Any ratings given are recorded in the Gradebook.

If you set up glossaries for rating, the glossary item will automatically appear in the Gradebook. Otherwise, if you want to assess the glossary you will need to manually add it to the Gradebook.

1. Edit the settings of the glossary you wish to set up ratings for
   
   
   
2. Under Ratings, check the Roles with permission to rate list. If you want students to rate posts, you will need to add Student to this list. To do this, contact your local eLearning support team 
   
   
3. Set the Aggregate type: 
   • Average of ratings (default) – useful if there is more than one post/one marker
   • Count of ratings: The number of rated items becomes the final grade. Note that the total cannot exceed the maximum grade for the activity
   • Maximum rating: The highest rating becomes the final grade
   • Minimum rating: The lowest rating becomes the final grade
   • Sum of ratings: All ratings are added together. Note that the total cannot exceed the maximum grade for the activity
     
     
4. Set the Scale Type:
• If you change the type to Scale, change the scale to Non-graded pass so no Maximum points can be set
• If you tick the box Restrict ratings to items with dates in this range: you will need to set the dates (From, To)
• If leave the type as Point, you can set the Maximum points (default is 100)
  Note: You can leave the default at 100, as if you set the weighting of the final grade for this assessment in Gradebook, the grade will be automatically scaled down
  
  
5.   If you tick the box Restrict ratings to items with dates in this range: you will need to set the dates (From, To)
    
   
   
6. Click Save and display

Set up auto-linking in a glossary entry

1. Open your glossary and click on the Add a new entry button
   

2. Enter the entry's Concept and Definition, along with any relevant Categories, Keywords and Attachments 
   
   
3. Under the Auto-linking heading, enable auto-linking by selecting the check box beside This entry should be automatically linked 
      
   
   
4. Click Save changes 
   
   

Enable auto-linking in an existing glossary entry

To enable auto-linking in an existing glossary entry, identify the relevant entry in the glossary and select the cog icon to the right of the entry.  Enable auto-linking as in step 3 above.

This entry relates to the Glossary activity.

Questions/problems

• Students can't comment on glossary entries

Students can't comment on glossary entries

Edit your glossary's settings. Under the Entries heading, make sure Allow comments on entries is set to Yes.

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

Manual grade items can be used to record grades for activities that are not undertaken through FLO (eg contribution to tutorial discussion, oral presentation). Most FLO activities you set up will appear in the Gradebook automatically (note that if you set up a forum and want to grade it, you will have to set it to be rated).

Steps

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link
   
2. Click on the Add grade item button, which will appear under the list of assessments
   
   
   
3. Give the item a Name
   
   
4. Set a Maximum grade
   
   
   
5. Click the Save changes button 

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

You can design and use checklists to mark assignments and forums online.

• Build a checklist
• Edit a checklist
• Student view
  

See also Mark in FLO using a checklist (assignments)

Build a checklist

1. Before you can build a checklist, you need to set up the assignment/forum for online marking using a checklist

2. Give your checklist a name (required) and description (optional)
   
   

3. Add a name for your group in the Click to edit group area
   
   

4. Add a description for your item in the Click to edit item area
   
   

5. To add more items, click the +Add item button
   
   

6. To add more groups, click the +Add group button
   
   

7. Select options for your checklist
   
   

8. Click the Save checklist and make it ready button
   

Edit a checklist

To edit a checklist (prior to opening the assignment for submissions):

1. Open the activity
   
   
2. Select Advanced grading from the Actions menu cog

 

3. On the Advanced grading page, click Edit the current form definition
    
   

4. To edit, click on the group name or checklist item (see step 3 onwards under Build a checklist above). To delete an item, click the cross icon
   
   
5. Once you have finished making changes, click the Save button
   

---

Student view

Students can view the checklist (Grading criteria) before they submit their assignment on the Submission status screen:

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

You can design and use marking guides to mark assignments and forums online.

• Build a marking guide
• Edit a marking guide
• Student view
  

Build a marking guide

1. Before you can build a marking guide, you need to set up the assignment or forum for online marking using a marking guide

2. Give your marking guide a name (required) and a description (optional)
   
   

3. Add a name for the criterion in the Click to edit criterion name area
   

4.  Add a description for students – type in the Click to edit area. You can also add a description for the markers (if required)
   
   

5. Allocate a mark for the criterion, type a number into the Click to edit area for Maximum score
   

6. Click the Add criterion button to add extra criterion
   
   

7. Move your criterion up and down using the arrows, or delete (x)
   
   

8. At Frequently used comments, type in the Click to edit area to enter a comment, then click the +Add frequently used comments button until you have finished entering the comments you want markers to use
   

9. Select options for your marking guide
   

10. Click the Save marking guide and make it ready button
    
    

Edit a marking guide

1. Open the activity
2. Select Advanced grading from the Actions menu cog

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

You can design and use rubrics to mark assignments and forums online. 

• Build a rubric
• Edit a rubric
• Student view
  

Build a rubric

1. Before you can build a rubric, you need to set up the assignment/forum for online marking using a rubric

2. Give your rubric a name (required) and a description (optional)
   
   

3. Add criterion in the Click to edit criterion area
   
   

4. Add performance standards in the Click to edit level areas
   
   

5. To add more performance standards, click the Add level button
   
   

6. Add marks per performance standard – click the points areas
   
   

7. To add extra criterion, click the Add criterion button
   
   

8. Move your criterion up and down using the arrows, or delete (x). You can copy a criterion (with performance standard and marks) via the duplicate icon – the copy will appear at the end of the list
   
   

9. Select options for your rubric
   
   

10. Click the Save rubric and make it ready button
    

Edit a rubric

1. Open the activity

2. Select Advanced grading from the Actions menu cog
   
   

3. On the Advanced grading page, click Edit the current form definition
   
   

4. Once you have finished making changes, click the Save button
   

Student view

Students can view the rubric (Grading criteria) before they submit their assignment on the Submission status screen:

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

Many Gradebooks can be set up quickly and easily using weightings. Weightings state how much each activity contributes to the topic's total, allowing FLO to automatically calculate the total for you.

Weightings are best used when they replicate the percentages in the Statement of Assessment Methods (SAM). For example an assignment worth 20% of the final mark would have a weighing of 20.

Steps

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link
   
2. In the Weights box next to each item, specify the percentage weight for each activity. For example, if Assessment 1 is worth 20%, put 20 in the Weight column
   
   
   You can ignore the Max Grade column - FLO will automatically take the maximum grade into account when determining the total mark.
   
   
3. If an activity doesn't contribute to the topic total, give it a weighting of 0
   
   
4. Click the Save changes button

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

Note: This page assumes you know how weightings are used in the Gradebook. If you are not sure how weightings work, first check out our guide on calculating a topic total using weightings.

In some topics, students may have a choice between multiple assessments, or may only receive marks for the highest of a group of assessments (eg the best 8 out of 10 weekly quizzes).

Steps

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

• Hide/show marks
• Show numerical marks as letter grades (e.g. 85→HD)
• Set a passing mark/grade

Hide/show marks

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then Gradebook setup 
   
   
   
2. For the item you wish to hide, select the Edit drop-down menu on the right (under the Actions column) and then click the Hide link. This closes the eye and greys out the item
   
   
   
3. To show a hidden assignment, repeat steps 2 and 3. There will be one slight difference: the Hide option will be replaced with a Show option. 

Show numerical marks as letter grades

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link
   
   
   
2. For the item you wish to change, click the Edit link to the right of the assignment and select Edit settings
   
   
   
3. Click the Show more… link to see advanced settings
   
   
   
4. Change Grade display type to Letter
   
   
   To show the mark again, change the Grade display type to Real.
   
   
5. Click the Save changes button

Set a passing mark/grade

When a passing grade is set, marks in the Gradebook are coloured to distinguish pass or fail. Any mark at or above the passing grade is coloured green, while any mark below the passing grade is coloured red.

A passing grade can be set for the topic total and for individual grade items.

The Grade to pass field also integrates with topic completion, and can be used as a pass mark for assignments, requiring students to resubmit until they've achieved the set passing grade.

Set a grade to pass for the topic total

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link
   
   
   
2. Click on the Edit link to the right of the topic name and select Edit settings
   
   
   
3. Click on the Show more… link within the Category total section
   
   
4. Enter the passing grade (50) into the Grade to pass field
   
   
   
5. Click the Save changes button
   
   

Set a grade to pass for individual grade items

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link
   
   
   
2. For the item you wish to change, click the Edit link to the right of the item and select Edit settings
   
   
   
3. Select the Show more... link within the Grade item section
   
   
4. Enter the passing mark in the Grade to pass field. Do not enter the percentage – enter the numerical mark that students must achieve
   
   
   
5. Click the Save changes button
   

This relates to the Gradebook.

This page has instructions on changing how grades are ordered in the gradebook. It is the partner page to Gradebook setup - changing the formatting of grades.

• Change the order of items in the gradebook
• Group activities into categories to improve navigation

Change the order of items in the gradebook

1. In the gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link.
   
   
   
2. Click on the arrow icon to the left of the activity you want to move.
   
   
   
3. A gap will appear between each activity. Click on the area where you want the activity to move to.
   
   
   
4. The activity will now appear in that location.
   
   
   
   

Group activities into categories to improve navigation

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

We strongly recommend that you check the Gradebook to make sure students only see what they are meant to, and that the topic total is calculating correctly. You may choose to do this at different times over the semester, depending on when grades are released in your topic.

• Preview grades as a student would see them
• Check that the topic total is correct

Preview grades as a student would see them

1. Go to the Navigation menu and click on Grades
   
   
   
2. Click the User report link
   
   
   
3. Select a student (or all students) from the Select all or one user drop-down menu on the right, making sure that View report as is set to 'User'
   
   
   This will display the grades for that student, as the student can see them (i.e. if a grade is hidden, it will not appear on this page).
   
   
4. To also view hidden grades, open the View report as menu and select 'Myself'

Check that the topic total is correct

If you are not sure that the topic total is calculating correctly, we recommend manually calculating the total using either a calculator or Microsoft Excel (pick the one you are most comfortable with).

As the semester progresses, you can check against results that your students have received. If you need to check more assignments than the ones that have currently been marked you can ask the eLearning support team to add a demo student to your topic, whom you can mark in advance.

If you would like someone else to check your calculations, you can also contact your eLearning support team.

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

You may need to export grades from the gradebook to an Excel file to finalise grades for exam board, or you might want a local copy for your records.

Steps

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

The Fail or Holding Grade column in the gradebook is used to indicate the status of grades where students have either:

• failed the topic
• have grades that are yet to be finalised (interim notations)
  

For more detailed information, view the Grading Scheme in the Policy Library

If you would like clarification about these grades, contact your college SAS team.

Fail or Holding Grade column

Follow these instructions or watch the video below:

• Setting up FLO to use the Fail or Holding grade column (turning on quick feedback)
• Using the Fail or Holding Grade column
• Checking you have entered all of the grades

Setting up FLO to use the Fail or Holding Grade column (turning on quick feedback)

Using the Fail or Holding Grade column

1. Holding grades are entered in the grader report.
   
   
2. As the majority of students who need a Fail or Holding grade will have a similar range of grades, you may find it easier to sort your gradebook by the Topic total. Click the arrows alongside the column name. Click once to sort from highest to lowest and click again to sort lowest to highest  
   
   
   
3. The column should be next to the topic total. If it is missing contact your college's SAS team.
   
   To enter a grade, click into the cell of the student who requires a holding grade. A drop-down menu (marked in red, left) and text space (marked in blue, right) will appear. First, choose the appropriate grade from the drop-down menu.
   
   
   
4. If you have entered an “I” grade also enter the date when the grade will be finalised. To do this, click into the text space, enter the date, then press the Enter key on your keyboard to save the date.
   
   Note that the date will seemingly disappear, as only the grade will display. If you click back to the cell you can confirm the date has been saved.
   
   
5. If you have more than one page of students make sure that you check all the pages.
   

Checking you have entered all of the grades

You can check that you have entered a date for all I grades:

1.  Click on the pencil icon in the column heading to take you to the Single view page.
   
   
   
2. The Single view page will show the fail and holding grades for the entire class. You can make further changes on this page.
   
   
3. Click on the Save button to save your changes. You will then see a confirmation screen showing you the changes that were saved.
   
   
4. Click the Grader report link to return to the spreadsheet like view.
   

This entry relates to the Gradebook.

Activities are locked in the gradebook to stop grades from being altered. When an activity is locked it is impossible to enter or change a grade. This has two main purposes:

1. It is often used by professional staff around exam board, to prevent changes while grades are externally reviewed and transferred into Student Management
2. It is used as a defacto cut-off date for University-wide activities like the academic integrity quiz, Library World and Pre-Place - these activities don't have a traditional due date, so locking the grades stops late submissions from being recorded in the topic

Steps

1. In the Gradebook, click on the Setup tab, then the Gradebook setup link
   
   
   
2. For the item you wish to change, click the Edit link to the right of the assignment and select Edit settings
   
   
   
   
3. Tick the Locked box
   
   
   
4. Alternatively, if you click on the Show more... link, you can set a date when the activity should be locked. However, it is important that you do not have both options in use simultaneously
   
   
5. Click the Save changes button.
   

Setting up the Gradebook

All grades recorded in FLO through an activity (eg assignments, quizzes) will appear automatically in the Gradebook.

• View the grades for multiple students
• View the grades for a single student
• Filter the Gradebook by group or grouping

You can control if/how students see grades in your topic.

• Hide/show marks in the Gradebook
• Show numerical marks as grades (e.g. 85 -> HD)
• Set a passing grade

Sometimes grades need to be entered in FLO without being tied to an activity.

• Add manual grade items

Setting up the topic total

In most cases, setting up the Gradebook will be a simple matter of setting weightings that match the Statement of Assessment Methods (SAM).

• Calculate a topic total using weightings

Grading students' work

Grading students' work should be done from inside the related activity wherever possible.

Assignments and forums can be marked using Advanced grading features (rubrics, marking guides, and checklists [currently only works for the assignment activity]):

• Set up a feedback template for offline or online marking
  

However, on some occasions it is easier to enter grades directly into FLO (e.g. for assessments that don't have an online component, like participation marks).

• Manually import grades from an Excel file
  This is better for importing multiple grades
  
  
• Manually enter a grade into the Gradebook
  This should only be done in exceptional circumstances  
  

Finalising grades for the semester

At the end of the semester the final marks will need to be imported into Student Management. 

• Lock the Gradebook
• Export grades to an Excel file
• Use the Results Processing Utility tool
• Using the Fail or Holding Grade column
  

 To request a change of grades after marks have been imported into Student Management, please contact the College based SAS team.