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How Do I Assign Grades in Canvas?

Published in Canvas Grading 5 mins read

Assigning grades in Canvas can be efficiently done directly within the Gradebook or through the comprehensive SpeedGrader tool. Both methods offer distinct advantages depending on your grading needs, from quick score entry to detailed feedback provision.

Two Primary Methods for Assigning Grades

Canvas provides two main avenues for inputting grades for student assignments, quizzes, and discussions.

Method 1: Using the SpeedGrader

The SpeedGrader is a powerful tool designed for efficient grading, allowing you to view submissions, provide feedback, apply rubrics, and assign scores all in one integrated interface. This method is ideal for assignments requiring review of submitted files or detailed feedback.

To assign grades using SpeedGrader:

  1. Access SpeedGrader: Navigate to the specific assignment in your course. From the assignment page, click the "SpeedGrader" link, usually found on the right sidebar. Alternatively, you can access it from the Grades section by clicking the assignment column header and selecting "SpeedGrader."
  2. View Submissions: The SpeedGrader interface displays the student's submission on the left (e.g., documents, images, web links). You can use DocViewer to annotate documents directly.
  3. Enter the Grade: On the right sidebar, locate the "Grade" field. Enter the numerical score for the assignment. If you're using a rubric, click to score it, and the total will automatically populate the grade field.
  4. Provide Feedback: Utilize the feedback options below the grade field:
    • Text Comments: Type general comments in the comment box.
    • Media Comments: Record audio or video feedback for a personal touch.
    • Attachment Comments: Upload a file as additional feedback.
  5. Navigate Between Students: Use the arrow buttons at the top of the SpeedGrader page to move to the next or previous student's submission. You can also use the student drop-down menu to jump to a specific student.
  6. Post Grades: Grades are typically saved automatically as you enter them. Depending on your assignment settings, grades may need to be manually posted for students to view them.

For more detailed guidance, refer to the Canvas guide on How to use SpeedGrader.

Method 2: Entering Grades Directly in the Gradebook

For quick entry of scores, particularly for participation grades, offline assignments, or when you don't need to review submissions in detail, you can directly input grades into the Gradebook.

To assign grades directly in the Gradebook:

  1. Access the Gradebook: In your Canvas course navigation, click on "Grades." This will open the New Gradebook, displaying all students and assignments.
  2. Locate the Assignment Column: Find the column corresponding to the assignment you wish to grade. You can use the search bar or filters to quickly locate specific assignments.
  3. Find the Student Row: Scroll down or use the student search feature to find the row of the student you want to grade.
  4. Click and Type: Scroll to the cell where the assignment column intersects with the student's row. Click in the cell and type the score into it. Canvas automatically saves the grade as you enter it.
  5. Quick Entry Navigation: After typing a score, you can press the Enter key to automatically move to the cell directly below it in the same column, allowing for rapid vertical grade entry. You can also use your mouse or arrow keys to navigate to other cells.
  6. Grade Status Indicators: The Gradebook cells provide visual cues (e.g., a dash for no submission, a checkmark for graded, or an icon for late/missing) to help you track grading progress.

For further information on managing grades, see the Canvas guide on How to use the New Gradebook.

Enhancing Your Grading Workflow

Beyond the basic entry, Canvas offers several features to make your grading process more effective and efficient.

Utilizing Rubrics for Consistent Grading

Rubrics provide clear evaluation criteria and can significantly streamline your grading process. When a rubric is attached to an assignment and scored within SpeedGrader, the total score automatically transfers to the grade field, ensuring consistency and transparency in your evaluations.
Learn more about adding a rubric to an assignment.

Providing Effective Feedback

Constructive feedback is crucial for student learning. Canvas offers various ways to provide rich feedback:

  • Text Comments: Direct written advice or encouragement.
  • Media Comments: Audio or video recordings for personalized and engaging feedback.
  • DocViewer Annotations: Directly mark up submitted documents with highlights, comments, and drawings in SpeedGrader.
  • Rubric Comments: Add specific comments for each rubric criterion.

Managing Special Grading Situations

Canvas provides functionalities to handle common grading scenarios directly within the Gradebook:

  • Excused Assignments: You can mark an assignment as "Excused" for a student, which removes it from their grade calculation. Find out how to excuse an assignment.
  • Late Policies: Set up automatic late deduction policies in the Gradebook settings to apply penalties for overdue submissions, saving you manual calculations. Learn about setting a late submission policy.
  • Missing Submissions: Mark assignments as "Missing" to indicate non-submission, which can also trigger late policies.

Best Practices for Grade Management

Effective grade management ensures fairness, transparency, and supports student success throughout your course.

  • Regularly Update Grades: Enter grades promptly so students can track their progress and identify areas for improvement. Consistent updates help students stay engaged and informed.
  • Communicate Clearly: Inform students about your grading policies, including how assignments are weighted, any late submission penalties, and how grades will be finalized.
  • Use Grading Schemes: Define a clear grading scheme (e.g., letter grades, pass/fail) in your course settings to convert numerical scores into final grades consistently.
  • Finalize Grades: At the end of the term, ensure all grades are accurately entered and posted in Canvas before submitting final grades to your institution's official record system.