During the Spring 2022 semester, the Division of Online Studies surveyed the eMentor committee to explore a recommendation to alter two default settings in the Falcon Online gradebook. The options are ‘automatically release final grades’ and ‘drop ungraded items’. There was an abundance of valuable information and thoughtful dialogue within the eMentor committee before we released the survey for a response. The majority of eMentor Committee members selected "yes" to update these default grade book options to 'Automatically release final grade’ and ‘Drop ungraded items’ as the new default settings for those limited areas within the grade book. Thirty-three eMentors responded to the survey, with 55% selecting "Yes," 36% selecting "No," and 9% selecting "Other," and provided additional context to their response.
Previously, the Grade Calculation option was set to ‘treat ungraded items as 0’. Faculty members did not have to enter a 0 for students that did not do an assignment; thus, ending any oversight and ensuring they scored all students on the same overall points. Conversely, faculty members must add the 0 for students that did not do an assignment to ensure every student is being evaluated on the same overall points total, and they are aware of their current standing. However, the connotation is students are at a constant deficit throughout the semester.
The benefit of selecting ‘Drop ungraded items’ opposes the earlier mindset by placing the students in a position of strength from the outset. The two most powerful predictors of persistence for DSC students are related to the LMS grade book. The rationale behind this recommendation is to allow students to view their current grades and better understand their ongoing success in their classes. Dropping ungraded items avoids the student perception of starting with a deficit overall grade.
Dr. Taryn Brown, a faculty member at the Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality & Culinary Management, made a video that she shared with her fellow instructors after an Assessment Day meeting, which illustrates the process and highlights the benefits to her students after opting to 'drop ungraded items'. She has graciously allowed us to share this with the DSC community at large. Clearly, Dr. Brown and the students prefer this gradebook option because it is transparent and helps to keep the students on track!
Next, let’s examine the other switch to the default gradebook settings. The Final Grade Release section has a choice to ‘Automatically release final grade’. The intent is for students to be informed of the ongoing status in the course.
As this choice is enabled, “… the system automatically marks the final grade as released. The system does this at the time the final grade is saved for the user. If this option is not checked, the instructor must manually release users’ final grades.” This process will publish your grades and feedback immediately so it's one less manual task for you as the instructor and one more tool for students to track their up-to-date progress.
Fortunately, a ready step is available to know if the final grades are released. If the gradebook is set up with a Final Calculated Grade choice and not an Adjusted Final Grade, there will be an open eye after the student’s name. Choosing an Adjusted Final Grade will not present this option.
The new default is for these two specific settings in the Falcon Online gradebook, based on instructor feedback. Instructors can change their settings to match their preferred display options as before. In fact, if the course is copied and all components are selected, the gradebook settings stay the same. We always want our instructors to be aware of changes within Falcon Online. So, please subscribe to our blog to ensure you are current on matters related to Online Studies.
Aaron Sunday
Instructional Designer, Division of Online Studies
aaron.sunday@daytonastate.edu | 386-506-3209
Online Studies | Faculty Innovation Center (FIC)
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