Creating calculated columns in the grade book

[perrotti]

I would like to create calculated grade columns in the grade book. I've talked with the Canvas help desk and was surprised to learn that this simple, basic LMS function is not possible in Canvas. However, I'm sure that some of you have figured a workaround.

Here is how the final grade for the course is calculated:

6 exams total

5% extra credit

Lowest exam score is dropped from final grade calculation.

Blackboard and WebCT both permit users to weight the grade columns and create calculated grade columns so that one formula will dictate the average of the highest 5 of the 6 exams for column X. Another column can be created to calculate what is presented in column X plus any extra credit bonus. I know that my grading scheme is fairly straight forward and not at all unique. Has anyone figured out how to create these columns to display these grades for the students? 

Thanks in advance for your help/advice.

[amy_gullickson]

I agree! Why is this simple function not available! Such a headache.

My students have 30% of their grade related to online community participation across 8 weeks. If they lead the session, it's 10 points, if they participate, it's 5 points. This is easily tracked in my excel gradebook, but incomprehensible to include in Canvas gradebook without uploading or downloading the whole thing. OMG. I am so frustrated. @perrotti Did you solve it?

[leslie_irvine]

I would love Canvas to have this basic function used by instructors across all levels! 

[skyarmy888]

Calculated formula is essential function for gradebook. It should happen.  

[GuylaEvans]

I just want to add my voice to stress the importance of this feature. Not having the flexibility to create calculated columns/nested weighting groups is a huge step backward for former blackboard users. 

For me, this problem manifests itself particularly in clinical rotations, where certain content is done in one department at Hospital A and in another department at Hospital B. At Hospital C, more than one content area is done in a department. Currently, I solve the problem with Microsoft Excel. It would result in greater transparency for the students if these calculations could happen in Canvas.

[nwilson7]

The initial post to this is completely possible.  It sounds like you just need to use weighted categories (and then turn on the drop lowest) tool.

• How do I add an assignment group to a course?

• How do I weight the final course grade based on assignment groups?

• https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-create-rules-for-an-assignment-group/ta...

Some of the other comments are looking at sub weights which is not currently a Canvas feature.  This is accomplished by points which I know some people are not in favor of.  

• Quizzes (30%):
• Homework (40%):
• Discussions (30%):
• Extra Credit (5%)

Total is 105%, yes that locks the extra credit to a 5% bump and is something Canvas will recognize.  Then let's say I want my final to be 20% of the 30% for quizzes, I would do that by points.  Super simple example math wise:

• Quiz 1 - 10 points
• Quiz 2 - 10 points
• Quiz 3 - 10 points
• Quiz 4 - 10 points
• Quiz 5 - 10 points
• Quiz 6 - 10 points
• Test 1 - 20 points
• Test 2 - 20 Points
• Test 3 - 20 Points
• Test 4 - 20 Points
• Test 5 20 Points
• Final - 40 points

Total is 200 points (40/200 = 20%) so my final is 20% of a category worth 30% accomplishing the sub-weights.

Again, I know not everyone is happy with this method and would prefer to just sub-weight them.  I do know this idea has been floated before:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Idea-Conversations/assignment-weighting-in-assignment-groups/idi-...

-Nick