Calculated Columns can be used to take previous grades in the gradebook, as shown in individual-item columns, and aggregate them in order to calculate a final grade total based on specific criteria. Using a Calculated Column can save an instructor considerable work in calculating overall grades throughout the semester, and provide a student with a quick snapshot of their progress. To create a calculated column, navigate to the Gradebook. If you have not already done so, the bottom of the gradebook will have a specialized button prompting you to set up an overall grade.
You will be given three options to choose from: Points, Weighted, and Advanced. Select the type you wish to create to enter into the column details and click Next. Please note that this decision is not permanent, and can be changed on the following window.
You will be brought to a window where you can set up your calculations.
Points
The Points option shows a list of all the content categories available in Ultra Courses (Ex. Tests, Assignments, etc.), as well as the total point values present in that category at the time this calculation is being created. From this list you can remove categories from the calculation by using the Exclude button, or Expand the category to remove or unlink specific items within that category.
Each category also provides a button labeled "Edit Calculation Rules". Clicking this opens a sidebar that provides options to customize how that particular category is calculated, such as dropping scores that meet a specific calculation or only including specific scores. If you edit the calculation rules in this sidebar, click 'Continue' at the bottom to ensure your new settings are saved.
On the left-hand side of the window you can select settings to determine how the grade being calculated is displayed to students. It is recommended that the first checkmark in this space remain checked; this setting determines that the score being presented is part of a RUNNING calculation, and does not include items that have not been graded yet as a 0.
When you have finished creating your calculations, click "Save" to save your new calculation to your Gradebook.
Weighted Points
The Weighted Points option is structurally identical to the Points option, with one major exception: Instead of displaying the total number of points assigned in each category, Weighted Provides each category with a percent weight, and defaults to giving each category an equal weight. This field is editable, with some constraints:
1. Editing one weight will automatically alter the weights in any of the weight fields that have not also been edited. This is intended to ensure that the total weights add up to 100%.
2. Editing a weight will lock it, which prevents it from being automatically being altered again when you edit other weights. This is reversible by clicking the lock icon next to the weight field.
Advanced
The Advanced calculation space is more complex than the Points or Weighted calculation, in that it allows you to create a custom calculation for your Grade center. To do so, you can drag and drop either categories or individual grade items into the space given, as well functions such as Totals or Averages, or operators like Add or Subtract. To create a calculation, drag a function into the space, then use the dropdown for that space to select the category or individual item that function applies to. You can then chain these functions together using the operators.
(Note: This particular calculation space is also outside of the Overall Grade. How to locate this calculation separately, as well as a more detailed explanation of how to create a calculation, will be in the Creating Calculations In The Gradebook article.)
Regardless of which calculation you select, click 'Save' at the bottom of the page when you have finished customizing your settings. The new external grade will be created, and visible on the top of the Gradebook.
