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{{Course admin}}
{{Grades}}
Scales are a way of evaluating or rating a students' performance. Administrators can create standard scales which are available across the site, and teachers can create custom scales just for their own course. (If you prefer, you can use [[Grade points|grade points]] or no grade at all.)


'''Scales''' may be used in [[Forums]], [[Glossaries]] (for rating) and [[Assignments]] (for grading). Custom scales can be created where you would like to assign non-numerical or non-numerically assigned lettered grades.
Scales may be used in [[Forums]], [[Glossaries]] and [[Assignments]] for rating and/or [[Grades|grading]] a student's activity.  


* The interface for creating scales is accessed by clicking the "Scales" link in any course [[Administration block]].
* Scales may be created for individual courses by Teachers with editing rights or Administrators.
* Administrators may create site-wide scales by "promoting" a scale created for a course. To achieve this, add a new scale, then use the move down arrow to move the scale from custom scales to standard scales (i.e. site-wide).


==Creating a scale==
==Creating a new scale==
New scales can be created by teachers with editing rights or by administrators or by any user with the [[Capabilities/moodle/course:managescales|manage scales role capability]].


If you choose to ''Add a new scale'' from the '''Scales''' administration menu, you can create a custom scale for your course.
===Creating course scales===


;Name
*Click the "Add a new scale" button in ''Course administration > Grades > Scales''.
:A recognisable name for your scale that will identify it among other scales.
*On the next page give your scale a name in the Name box that will identify it among other scales.
*'Standard' scale is a scale which can be applied to every course in Moodle. Only those with site permissions such as administrators can make a new scale 'standard'. A regular teacher can only create a scale for their own course.


;Scale
[[Image:newscale.png|center|thumb|480px|Creating a new scale screen: Name, Scale, Description areas]]
:Define the options for your scale using comma separated options. For example if you would like two options in your scale (complete and incomplete) type: ''incomplete, complete''. You can use as many options here as you require. Other examples could include a four option scale ''refer, pass, merit, distinction'' or ''Excellent, Average, Acceptable, Hesitant (Fail)'' depending on your curriculum/course needs.


;Description
:Explain the methodology and/or purpose of this grading scale if necessary.


==Using a custom scale==
*In the Scale box, create your scale. Each item in the scale should be separated by a comma. You can use as many options here as you require. You must order the comma  separated elements in increasing order of value. '''For example, an A,B,C,D scale must be entered as D,C,B,A'''.
*Write a detailed description in the Description box to remind you (or other teachers) of how the scale is to be used.
*Save the changes.
====Single rating scale====


When you create a new graded or rated activity, you should find the name of your scale in the drop-down '''Grade:''' option. When you mark the activity you will now be given the options defined in your scale rather than the standard numerical values.
Only selecting one option allows you to create a "Like" scale similar to Facebook or a "Useful" scale similar to that on Moodle.org.
[[File:Like28.png|center|thumb|600px]]
 
===Creating a standard scale===
 
An administrator can create a standard scale which can be used in any course in ''Administration > Site administration > Grades > Scales''
 
==Using scales==
A teacher  may select a scale by going to  the ''Edit settings'' screen of an activity, for example an [[Assignment|assignment]],scrolling to 'Grade' and then selecting 'Scale' from the ''Type'' dropdown:
 
[[File:scale1.png]]
 
This will then open up the 'Scale' dropdown, allowing them to choose the scale they wish to use.
 
==Editing a scale==
If a scale has not yet been used, you will see an edit, move, and delete icon in the edit column.[[Image:scalesedit.png|Editing a scale]]
 
Once a scale is used for an activity, it is no longer possible to move or delete it, and you can only edit the scale name and description.
 
==Example scales==
 
*''The Cool Scale'' - Not cool, Not very cool, Fairly cool, Cool, Very cool, The coolest thing ever!
**(Valued as 0/5pts, 1/5pt, 2/5pts, 3/5pts, 4/5pts, and 5/5pts respectively in '''any normalized aggregation method''')
**(Valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively in the '''sum aggregation method''')
 
*''General Introductions (The Affirmative Scale)'' - Welcome!, Glad to have you here!, Great post!
**(Valued as 0/2pts, 1/2pt, and 2/2pts respectively in any '''normalized''' aggregation method)
**(Valued as 1, 2, and 3 respectively in the '''sum''' aggregation method)
 
*If you would like two options in your scale (incomplete and complete) type "incomplete, complete" in the scale box.
**(Valued as 0/1pts and 1/1pt respectively in any '''normalized''' aggregation method like weighted mean, mean, simple weighted mean, etc.)
**(Valued as 1 and 2 respectively in the '''sum''' aggregation method)
 
*''Generic Social Forum'' (This scale only worked prior to the averaging function) - Please clarify., I don’t understand., Hmmm.  Tell me more., Interesting, Very cool., Awesome!
**(Valued as 0/6pts, 1/6pt, 2/6pts, 3/6pts, 4/6pts, 5/6pts, and 6/6pts respectively in any '''normalized''' aggregation method)
**(Valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 respectively in the '''sum''' aggregation method)
 
*"Refer", pass, merit, distinction
**(Valued as 0/2pts, 1/2pt, and 2/2pts respectively in any '''normalized''' aggregation method)
**(Valued as 1, 2, and 3 respectively in the '''sum''' aggregation method)
 
*"Hesitant" Fail, Acceptable, Average, Excellent
**(Valued as 0/3pts, 1/3pt, 2/3pts, and 3/3pts respectively in any '''normalized''' aggregation method)
**(Valued as 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively in the '''sum''' aggregation method)
 
*"Stars" ☆----, ☆☆---, ☆☆☆--, ☆☆☆☆-, ☆☆☆☆☆
**(Valued as 0/4pts, 1/4pt, 2/4pts, 3/4pts, and 4/4pts respectively in any '''normalized''' aggregation method)
**(Valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively in the '''sum''' aggregation method) <br>
 
==Values calculated as percentage scores==
Moodle uses the last entry to determine the number of points in the scale for computing percentages. For example, if your scale is 0,5,6,7,8,9,10 then Moodle will use a 0-6 or 1-7 point scale depending on your chosen aggregation method.
*When using a '''normalized''' aggregation method, 0 will become 0/6, 5 will become 1/6, 6 will become 2/6, 7 will become 3/6, 8 will become 4/6, 9 will become 5/6, and 10 will become 6/6 for grade computation, respectively.
*When using the '''sum''' aggregation method, 0 will become 1, 5 will become 2, 6 will become 3, 7 will become 4, 8 will become 5, 9 will become 6, and 10 will become 7.
 
Either way, the numbers you enter for your scale are '''NOT''' calculated as entered, the system calculates the number of non-zero entries and then creates a scale from 0 to the total number of entries (n) with their values calculates as 0/n, 1/n, 2/n, 3/n....
 
:''TIP:'' If your scale is a custom non-value (not a number), Moodle's behavior in combining or averaging the scores into a percentage value is unpredictable. When an average or aggregate is important, then it is a good idea to stick with the standard 100% scale  to compute an overall grade.
 
:''Tip:'' Some sites do not like the "0" (zero) in any normalized aggregation method.
 
==Scales capabilities==
 
*[[Capabilities/moodle/course:viewscales|View scales]]
*[[Capabilities/moodle/course:managescales|Manage scales]]


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Outcomes]]
*[[Ratings]]
Forum discussions:
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=106031 gradebook letter grade an item]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=142262 Creating a new scale]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=152689 Standard letter scale reversed] for information on how to delete a scale


*[http://download.moodle.org/docs/using_moodle/ch12_grades.pdf Using Moodle Chapter 12: Grades and Scales]
Blog post by Matt Bury: [http://blog.matbury.com/2014/02/15/implementing-star-ratings-in-moodle/ Implementing star ratings in Moodle]


[[Category:Administrator]]
[[de:Bewertungsskalen]]
[[Category:Teacher]]
[[es:Escalas]]
[[Category:Forum]]
[[fr:Barèmes]]
[[Category:Glossary]]
[[Category:Assignment]]

Latest revision as of 14:42, 20 April 2015

Scales are a way of evaluating or rating a students' performance. Administrators can create standard scales which are available across the site, and teachers can create custom scales just for their own course. (If you prefer, you can use grade points or no grade at all.)

Scales may be used in Forums, Glossaries and Assignments for rating and/or grading a student's activity.


Creating a new scale

New scales can be created by teachers with editing rights or by administrators or by any user with the manage scales role capability.

Creating course scales

  • Click the "Add a new scale" button in Course administration > Grades > Scales.
  • On the next page give your scale a name in the Name box that will identify it among other scales.
  • 'Standard' scale is a scale which can be applied to every course in Moodle. Only those with site permissions such as administrators can make a new scale 'standard'. A regular teacher can only create a scale for their own course.
Creating a new scale screen: Name, Scale, Description areas


  • In the Scale box, create your scale. Each item in the scale should be separated by a comma. You can use as many options here as you require. You must order the comma separated elements in increasing order of value. For example, an A,B,C,D scale must be entered as D,C,B,A.
  • Write a detailed description in the Description box to remind you (or other teachers) of how the scale is to be used.
  • Save the changes.

Single rating scale

Only selecting one option allows you to create a "Like" scale similar to Facebook or a "Useful" scale similar to that on Moodle.org.

Like28.png

Creating a standard scale

An administrator can create a standard scale which can be used in any course in Administration > Site administration > Grades > Scales

Using scales

A teacher may select a scale by going to the Edit settings screen of an activity, for example an assignment,scrolling to 'Grade' and then selecting 'Scale' from the Type dropdown:

scale1.png

This will then open up the 'Scale' dropdown, allowing them to choose the scale they wish to use.

Editing a scale

If a scale has not yet been used, you will see an edit, move, and delete icon in the edit column.Editing a scale

Once a scale is used for an activity, it is no longer possible to move or delete it, and you can only edit the scale name and description.

Example scales

  • The Cool Scale - Not cool, Not very cool, Fairly cool, Cool, Very cool, The coolest thing ever!
    • (Valued as 0/5pts, 1/5pt, 2/5pts, 3/5pts, 4/5pts, and 5/5pts respectively in any normalized aggregation method)
    • (Valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively in the sum aggregation method)
  • General Introductions (The Affirmative Scale) - Welcome!, Glad to have you here!, Great post!
    • (Valued as 0/2pts, 1/2pt, and 2/2pts respectively in any normalized aggregation method)
    • (Valued as 1, 2, and 3 respectively in the sum aggregation method)
  • If you would like two options in your scale (incomplete and complete) type "incomplete, complete" in the scale box.
    • (Valued as 0/1pts and 1/1pt respectively in any normalized aggregation method like weighted mean, mean, simple weighted mean, etc.)
    • (Valued as 1 and 2 respectively in the sum aggregation method)
  • Generic Social Forum (This scale only worked prior to the averaging function) - Please clarify., I don’t understand., Hmmm. Tell me more., Interesting, Very cool., Awesome!
    • (Valued as 0/6pts, 1/6pt, 2/6pts, 3/6pts, 4/6pts, 5/6pts, and 6/6pts respectively in any normalized aggregation method)
    • (Valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 respectively in the sum aggregation method)
  • "Refer", pass, merit, distinction
    • (Valued as 0/2pts, 1/2pt, and 2/2pts respectively in any normalized aggregation method)
    • (Valued as 1, 2, and 3 respectively in the sum aggregation method)
  • "Hesitant" Fail, Acceptable, Average, Excellent
    • (Valued as 0/3pts, 1/3pt, 2/3pts, and 3/3pts respectively in any normalized aggregation method)
    • (Valued as 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively in the sum aggregation method)
  • "Stars" ☆----, ☆☆---, ☆☆☆--, ☆☆☆☆-, ☆☆☆☆☆
    • (Valued as 0/4pts, 1/4pt, 2/4pts, 3/4pts, and 4/4pts respectively in any normalized aggregation method)
    • (Valued as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively in the sum aggregation method)

Values calculated as percentage scores

Moodle uses the last entry to determine the number of points in the scale for computing percentages. For example, if your scale is 0,5,6,7,8,9,10 then Moodle will use a 0-6 or 1-7 point scale depending on your chosen aggregation method.

  • When using a normalized aggregation method, 0 will become 0/6, 5 will become 1/6, 6 will become 2/6, 7 will become 3/6, 8 will become 4/6, 9 will become 5/6, and 10 will become 6/6 for grade computation, respectively.
  • When using the sum aggregation method, 0 will become 1, 5 will become 2, 6 will become 3, 7 will become 4, 8 will become 5, 9 will become 6, and 10 will become 7.

Either way, the numbers you enter for your scale are NOT calculated as entered, the system calculates the number of non-zero entries and then creates a scale from 0 to the total number of entries (n) with their values calculates as 0/n, 1/n, 2/n, 3/n....

TIP: If your scale is a custom non-value (not a number), Moodle's behavior in combining or averaging the scores into a percentage value is unpredictable. When an average or aggregate is important, then it is a good idea to stick with the standard 100% scale to compute an overall grade.
Tip: Some sites do not like the "0" (zero) in any normalized aggregation method.

Scales capabilities

See also

Forum discussions:

Blog post by Matt Bury: Implementing star ratings in Moodle