Gradebook - need automatic way to reduce final grade by X points for unexcused absences

[lettgo583]

We need a way to automatically reduce students' final grades for unexcused absences. 

The roll call tool doesn't allow for grade deductions and is based on a percentage vs straight deduction point/s. 

We tried a workaround that adjusted the final grade automatically, but it was confusing to students and instructors, alike. So, now we're adding a notes column in the gradebook where absences are recorded (so students can see this. actually, students CAN'T see the comments column) and then manually reducing the final grade outside of Canvas. 

Please add a way to automatically adjust the final grade (by point/s) that also provides documentation within Canvas (that students can also see).  

[ColtonSwapp]

Hello @lettgo583 

I do see how that would be useful for reducing a students final grade for unexcused absences. There is a way to override the final grade option that can be used in the gradebook. But it only allows you to enter a final grade for students that that is different from the grade automatically calculated by the Canvas gradebook. 

This would make a fantastic feature request for future canvas releases. Have you tried to submit this as a possible feature request yet? 

HERE is a link to where you can submit that idea. 

-Colton

[lettgo583]

I just submitted it, Colton. Thanks!

[AndreaPacor]

We also have the same problem. Frankly, the entire attendance tool should be redesigned and should be native to Canvas. Attendance is a fundamental element in education and for an LMS to rely on external tools that are clearly not built for school is rather disappointing. The fact that to check attendance instructors have to click on the "more" button for each student instead of seeing the situation for the entire class at a glance is very annoying. The export to cvs function is also useless as it delivers a file with all the information in the world except what is needed. I hope this comes across frank rather than harsh as I don't mean it like that. Canvas has much going for it but attendance is not one of those things.