Overview
This guide explains how instructors can grade Discussion Checkpoints in Canvas. It covers the differences between grading non-group and group discussions, demonstrates how grades appear in the Gradebook, and outlines how to use SpeedGrader to evaluate both phases of participation. By following these steps, instructors can streamline the grading process, ensure students meet expectations at each stage, and maintain consistency across different types of discussion formats.
Gradebook Views for Non-Group vs. Group Checkpoints
Regular Discussions:
- Instructors see one column in the gradebook.
- All students post in the same thread.
- In SpeedGrader, instructors:
- See the full class discussion.
- Each student’s post and replies are highlighted for grading.
- Can enter scores for each checkpoint phase.
Group Discussions:
- Instructors see one column in the gradebook for the discussion.
- Grades are individual, even though students post within groups.
- In SpeedGrader, instructors can:
- View each group’s thread.
- Navigate between groups using the dropdown menu.
- Grade each student based on their contributions within their group.
Gradebook Important Note on Rubrics and Gradebook Policies
When grading checkpointed discussions, keep the following in mind:
- Rubric Scoring: If you attach a rubric, scores will not automatically populate into the checkpoint grade fields. You must manually enter points for each phase in SpeedGrader. To simplify grading, consider creating separate rubric rows for initial posts and replies.
- Gradebook Policies: If you have late or missing policies enabled in your course, test the checkpoint feature to ensure it behaves as expected. Checkpoints may not always align with automated late/missing rules, so it’s important to confirm settings before using them widely.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue: SpeedGrader isn’t showing replies.
Solution:
- Ensure the “Assign graded checkpoints” box is checked.
- Use the dropdown in SpeedGrader to switch between phases and view all student contributions.
- Also check that students have submitted replies in the correct phase—SpeedGrader only displays submitted content.
- If students report missing grades, verify that both phases were completed and graded.
Issue: Rubric scores aren’t populating.
Solution:
- Canvas does not auto-fill rubric scores for checkpointed discussions.
- Manually enter scores for each phase in SpeedGrader.
Resources
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