Innovations_Gradebooks

= **Electronic Gradebooks!** =

Group member names and date: AMY BYERS, NATALIE HARRIS, ASHLEY MCDONNELL NOVEMBER 2, 2010

__** A. What is a Electroinc Gradebook? **__

An electronic grade book is a student information system which is used to record pupils' grades, attendance and other data which is then made available online to parents, students and administrators. Some examples of services that provide grade books are PowerSchool, Spiral Universe, Easy Grade Pro, ProgressBook, QuickSchools.com, Infinite Campus, GPA Teacher, and more. All these provide an easy way to update grade-book information about each student as well as the ability to transfer this information into the end-of-term report cards. 

__**Reasons to use Electronic Gradebooks... **__  Easy Manipulation of Data: You can effortlessly compute class wide averages, compile lists of missing assignments, compile lists of students who need remediation for particular assignments, and automatically update averages and totals as new data is entered or old data is modified. It is much easier to see where the need for reteaching/remediation exists when you have software that can help point out the patterns. Grades and notes only need to be entered once, but can be instantly recalled in a variety of combinations and formats.

Your Time is Better Utilized: These types of tasks take considerably longer when they are done by hand. Although the data entry time is roughly the same whether entering data into a paper grade book or into a grading program, the real time saver is when data needs to be manipulated and reported.

=== Professional Appearance: Reports created by grade book programs are neatly formatted and present a professional appearance. Often the amount of detail is greater than a hand-written report would provide. The professional quality of computer-generated reports gives parents and administrators the message that you are organized and you know what you are doing. === === Student Motivation and Performance May Improve: In classes in which teachers used the capabilities of gradebook software to frequently provide students with feedback regarding performance, student performance and motivation increased. Once an electronic gradebook's controls are understood, it is practically a trivial matter to create a summary that shows students exactly where they stand. With such instant feedback available, students are able to focus their efforts where improvement is needed. === ===Pressure is Removed: Grading programs can quickly provide an up-to-date report for any given student. This can be done with only a moment's notice. No doubt at some point in your career you have been asked (or will be asked) to provide a summary of a student's current grades on short notice. Perhaps the student is moving, a counselor or administrator needs the information for a conference, or a parent drops in with a request. === Your Job Performance is Documented: One of the most important professional duties we have is documentation. A large part of a teacher's job involves documentation. We must document student performance, document contacts we have had with parents, and document the intervention strategies we have tried. In fact, we must document nearly every aspect of our job to demonstrate that we are meeting or exceeding the standards we are given. Gradebook software facilitates documentation. It is easy to provide documentation in the form of progress reports, remedial lists, missing assignment lists, and notations. It is easy to prove that parents have been regularly notified of student progress, when with just a few clicks of the mouse, you can generate a set of weekly progress reports, including a return receipt that must be signed by the parent and returned to you. An electronic gradebook is practically self-documenting.

__**B. Facts or Need to Knows **__ Electronic Gradebooks allow teachers to monitor, assignments, attendance, and grades. Reasons for using Electronic Gradebooks: 1. Keeping detailed records of grades and attendance 2. Communication with the students 3. Communication with the administration <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">4. Communication with the parents <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">5. Communication with other teachers

__**<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">C. How to Create Your Own **__ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">First you will need to get a password, this option will come up when you first sign on. Now you will be creating a folder for your classes. After you have created your class you will need to create categories and the weight of each categories, such as tests, homework, quizzes, etc. Now you will need to select your grading scale, since students are initially assigned scale #1 your main scale should be in that position. Your grading scale maximums and minimums will need to be added; and of course, you have to add your students (very important step not to miss) in this section. You will add the student's guardians, classes, counselors, etc. To add an assignment you have to go set up and add assignments. Here you can add the names of the assignments and what the point value will be. The score chart can print reports of student's scores and assigments. This is helpful because you can print a poster displaying a student ID number with their score. The report setting can also do a seating chart, student charts, student progress reports, class roster, and attendance chart for the teachers benefit. You can set up the spreadsheet to display absences, tardies, and the students overall grade. You can also print this out to give to the student. __**<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">VIDEOS **__ <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">D. general uses

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">1. Teacher Uses
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Easy to Use
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Grade Any Time, Anywhere
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Standards-based Assessment
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Track Attendance
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Weigh Assignments
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Compute Term & Final Grades
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Create Customizable Reports
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Communicate with Students & Parents
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Create Class Webpage
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Includes Quiz Maker

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">2. Student Uses > With Parents and Print Reports.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Access Class Webpage
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Check Grades & Assignments Online
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Get Class Information
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Take an Online Quiz
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">The Faster, Easier Way To Communicate

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">3. Parent uses (if applicable)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Access Class Webpage
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Check Grades & Assignments Online

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">F. Resource links to examples of classroom uses or articles/online sources with suggestions for use in the classroom, lesson plans: Some sites to try out an electronic gradebook are: <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• A2Z Gradebook - [Win] stores grades, calculates averages, and generates reports. Merge files from multiple teachers to create comprehensive reports. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Altissima - [Win] gradebook with capabilities for keeping comments on students. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Class Action Gradebook - [Win, Mac] tracks grades, attendance, and seating. Generates reports, letters, and graphs. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Class Commander - enterprise-level web-based class management system designed for use in school districts large and small. Satisfies specific requirements of the 'No Child Left Behind' Act with ClassTrak and ClassTell parental reporting and ClassConX and ClassScor online student testing and automatic gradebook recording. One year trial period. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Class Mate Grading Software - [Win] teachers grading package. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• ClassMaster - [Win, Mac] an electronic gradebook that calculates, records, reports, and forecasts student and class performance. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• ClassBuilder - [Win, Mac] gradebook software with Palm support. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• ClassRoom Windows - [Win] free gradebook and class management program for teachers. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Easy Grade Pro - [Win, Mac] an electronic gradebook which can store student, assignment, score and attendance data on all classes and subjects for a year. Data can be manipulated and analyzed in a variety of ways. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Easy Gradebook - [Win] shareware gradebook program. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Excel-lent Gradebook - [Win] a gradebook program that runs inside of Microsoft Excel. Shareware. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• EZ Grader - [Win, Mac] manage lesson plans, class information and grading software. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Grade Machine - [Win, Mac] for grading and classroom management, and for getting a quick, detailed, school-wide picture of any student's performance. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Grade Point - [Win] helps you create progress reports, average grades, prepare report cards, create student rosters and checklists, publish seating charts, plan for small flexible remedial groups, and track missing assignments. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Grade Speed - [Win] prides itself in its simplicity. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Gradebook1 - [Win, Mac] features password protection, auto-save, easy backup, birthday reminders, score calculator. Shareware. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Gradebook 2.0 - [Win] many features and report options. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Gradebook Power - [Win] over 40 academic reports including attendance and seating charts. Import and export to school administrative software. Supports block schedule, traditional and trimester school years. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• GradeBusters - [Win, Mac, Palm, Casio] electronic grade book system with free upgrades for life. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• GradeGenie - gradebook and attendance program. Many configuration options for customization. Security features. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Gradekeeper - [Win, Mac] gradebook software that can also create a web site so parents and students can check their grades online. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• GradeQuick - [Win, Mac, Palm] calculates grades, tracks attendance, creates reports, and more. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Grades - [Mac] tailored for university, college and high school professors to administer students' grades, exams, assignments and grade reporting. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Gradesheet.com - [Win] gradebook server software. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• GradeSource - web-based instructor course management tool with student viewable web page reports. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Master Grade - [Win, Mac] culmination of extensive software development, field-testing, and research into usability and satisfaction of existing teacher gradebook software. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• MicroGrade - [Win, Mac] computerized gradebook program that offers secure grade posting with free WebGrade service. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• MyGradebook.com - web based gradebook. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• The Pretty Good Grading Program (PGGP) - [Win, Mac] gradebook software specifically for the elementary teacher. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• ThinkWave - [Win] gradebook software and complete classroom organizer. Manages attendance and lesson plans. Allows publishing grades to the web and facilitates e-mail to parents. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">• Tiny Red Book - [Palm] gradebook software for the PalmOS.



<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">** G. Citations/Works Cited (in APA style) ** <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">** Make sure to include adapted from (give credit to any former mini-teach site you used) **