This article is intended for instructors looking to create Total Calculation columns in Ultra Course View.
For Original Course View, refer to: Creating and Using Total and Weighted Calculated Columns - Teaching and Learning - UConn Knowledge Base
Overview
In the Ultra Gradebook, instructors can use Total Calculation columns to calculate grades based on other Gradebook columns.
A Total Calculation column can perform either:
A Points Calculation
A Weighted Calculation
Weighted:
When using a weighted calculation, you will assign percentages to assessment categories or individual assessments adding up to 100%.
The calculation page is organized around gradebook categories. (What’s a category?)
Your gradebook will take a category and calculate what its weight is in regard to the overall grade.
Example: If you have 7 assignments but want them to be worth 30% of the grade, in this case these assignments would have a weight of 30% on the overall grade.
When using a weighted calculation the total MUST add up to 100% to save the calculation.
Points:
When using a points system, your grade book will match the points that coincide with the value for each individual assignment.
This will be added together to form a total point value score with no weights.
Example: If you have two assignments worth 50pts. each, and four tests worth 100pts. your gradebook will look like this:
Creating a Total Calculation Column
From within your Ultra course, click the Gradebook tab from the top navigation menu.
A Total Calculation column can be created from either the Gradable Items or Grades tabs.
From Gradable Items:
Hover over any grey line between gradable items, then click the
. Then select Add Total Calculation.
From Grades:
Hover over any grey line between columns, then click the
. Then select Add Total Calculation.
This will open a Total Calculation window where you can adjust the following settings (pictured below):
Change the name of the calculation
Set the visibility status
Select the calculation type: Points or Weighted
Specify how the calculation will be displayed to students.
Setting up a Points/Weighted Calculation
B. Calculate the Total Calculation.
To view the assessment items included in a category, click the drop-down arrow.
To remove a category or assessment from the calculation, select the exclude (null) icon. When an item is excluded, the exclude icon will be highlighted purple. Click the icon again to re-include it.
Click the unlink icon to remove an assessment from it’s category. This removes the assessment from the category drop-down so it can be given its own separate percentage. (Click the unlink icon again to add it back to its categpru).
For weighted ONLY: Use the % text field to input the weight of a given category or assessment. Click the lock icon to lock the percentage value while you are adjusting the other percentages.
For weighted ONLY: The total weight will be displayed below the assessments. *Please note: if the total does not add up to 100%, it’s not possible to save your progress.
Editing Calculation Rules for Categories
To drop grades in a certain category, follow the instructions found here: Dropping Grades in Ultra Course View.
Additional information on the Total Calculation Settings
D. Click Save.
For more information or assistance with HuskyCT, please contact the Educational Technology Office at edtech@uconn.edu or (860) 486-5052 (M-F 9am-4pm).