Module 6: Grading
Grading criteria: Ensure that the grading criteria and requirements for your course are clearly stated in your syllabi. Students should know ahead of time which assignments contribute to their final grades.
Use a grading rubric: For written assignments or projects, use a grading rubric. A rubric will help you maintain a more structured and consistent way of grading. This is a good way to provide feedback to accompany the grade. And please remember that, even in large classes, an encouraging general feedback message can go a long way.
Post grades: Post your grades via a secure channel as soon as you have completed the evaluation. Blackboard Grade book is the simplest and most secure way to display grades to students enrolled in your course. Blackboard is FERPA compliant, as it requires UTEP’s single sign-on system. Thanks to Cigdem Sirin, a comprehensive webinar on Blackboard Grade book is now available in this community. To access this resource, click on "How-To Tutorials" under Getting Started in the navigation menu.
Be mindful of FERPA guidelines: UTEP email is another official, approved method to share private information about the student’s record. We offer the following recommendations when using UTEP email:
- Ensure that the correct student’s email address is selected, as there are often several students with similar or even the same names.
- Avoid using non-UTEP email addresses (such as Gmail, etc.) provided by the student. Your correspondence with each student needs to come from your UTEP email account and go to the student’s UTEP email account.
- Ensure other students’ information is not included in email attachments (such as grade rosters).
As always, the central priority is to keep the students on-track with their courses and degree plans. Your thoughtful communication and flexibility are allowing them to finish this semester strong and stay on course.
And, again, please take a moment to encourage your students to get in touch with their advisors and get registered for summer and fall courses. You steadfastly enhance student success and social mobility when you encourage them to stay enrolled and focused on graduating in as timely a manner as is possible.
Visit the UTEP Help Desk page to learn more about the Blackboard Grade Center.