The document describes a grading system using total points. It outlines how 500 total points are distributed across assignments like labs, quizzes, and tests. Participation is worth 50 points (10% of grade), labs are worth 50 points (10% of grade), quizzes are worth 100 points (20% of grade), and tests are worth 300 points (60% of grade). It provides an example of one student's grades and calculates his total points and final grade. Finally, it demonstrates how to set up and use a total points grading system in the Blackboard grade center.

1. TOTAL POINTS
GRADING SYSTEM

2. GRADING WITH TOTAL POINTS
Total Points Available 500 Points
Participation 50 points
Lab 1 25 points
Lab 2 25 points
Quiz 1 20 points
Quiz 2 20 points
Quiz 3 20 points
Quiz 4 20 points
Quiz 5 20 points
Test 1 100 points
Test 2 100 points
Test 3 100 points

3. GRADING WITH TOTAL POINTS
Total Points Available 500 Points
Participation = 50 points 10% of total grade
Labs = 50 points 10% of total grade
5 Quizzes = 100 points 20% of total grade
Tests = 300 points 60% of total grade
TOTAL POINTS = 500 TOTAL PERCENT = 100%

4. SAMPLE STUDENT’S GRADES
John’s Assignments John’s Scores
Participation 50 points/50 points
Lab 1 15 points/25 points
Lab 2 20 points/25 points
Quiz 1 20 points/20 points
Quiz 2 10 points/20 points
Quiz 3 15 points/20 points
Quiz 4 18 points/20 points
Quiz 5 17 points/20 points
Test 1 92 points/100 points
Test 2 90 points/100 points
Test 3 87 points/100 points
TOTAL POINTS EARNED 434 points/500 points

5. CALCULATING JOHN’S GRADE
 To calculate John‟s grade:
1. Add the total number of points earned (434)
and divide by the total number of possible
points (500).
2. 434/500 = 0.868
3. If you round up, John received a final score
of 87.

6. CREATING A TOTAL
POINTS COLUMN IN
BLACKBOARD

7. CREATING TOTAL POINTS IN BLACKBOARD
STEP 1
STEP 2
1st Semester

8. CREATING TOTAL POINTS IN BLACKBOARD
STEP 3

9. CREATING TOTAL POINTS IN BLACKBOARD
STEP 4

10. CREATING TOTAL POINTS IN BLACKBOARD
STEP 5

11. USING TOTAL POINTS
IN BLACKBOARD

12. USING TOTAL POINTS IN BLACKBOARD
 Scenario: Let‟s say we would like to give a
total of five activities (worth 10 points each)
for the Participation grade.
 There are five activities that are included in a
Category called Participation.
 Category: Participation
 Columns: Activity 1: 10 Points
Activity 2: 10 Points
Activity 3: 10 Points
Activity 4: 10 Points
Activity 5: 10 Points

13. USING TOTAL POINTS IN BLACKBOARD
 TWO METHODS:
 1. Five columns can be set up to contain each
separate grade
 Example: Each column would contain one of the five
participation activities so that you can keep track of
each separate grade. Each column would be added
to the final grade individually.
 2.
One column can be created as a “total
column”
 Example: One column would contain all 5 participation
activities that would get added to the final grade as a
whole.

14. METHOD 1
 INDIVIDUAL GRADE COLUMNS

15. INDIVIDUAL GRADE COLUMNS (METHOD 1)
STEP 1

16. INDIVIDUAL GRADE COLUMNS… (METHOD 1)
STEP 2

17. INDIVIDUAL GRADE COLUMNS (METHOD 1)
STEP 3

18. METHOD 2
 ONE „TOTAL COLUMN‟

19. ONE ‘TOTAL COLUMN’ (METHOD 2)
STEP 1

20. ONE ‘TOTAL COLUMN’ (METHOD 2)
STEP 2

21. ONE ‘TOTAL COLUMN’ (METHOD 2)
STEP 3

22. BENEFITS OF TOTAL POINTS
 There are no pesky percentages to work with
or figure out.
 There is no guess work when it comes to a
student‟s grade.
 Categories can still be used.
 Assignments can still be designated to have
a certain “weight” on the total grade.
 It‟s EASY to use for faculty and students!
 Did I mention, this is a very easy way to
calculate grades in Blackboard?