How do I set up weighted grades in Talon?

How do I set up weighted grades in Talon?

Weighted grades let you assign specific percentages to grade categories or individual items (e.g., 60% exams, 40% homework) in Talon. Unlike using points, this method allows you to give more importance to certain categories when evaluating learners overall.

Weighted Grades Setup in Talon 

  1. Before starting, determine the grading categories and weights. For example Weekly Reflection Assignments 20%, Weekly Quizzes 40%, Final Exam (Project) 40%. The sum of all categories should equal 100%.
  2. In “Grades” select “Settings” near the top-right. 
    Grade tool settings
  3. The Personal Display Options screen will appear. Select the "Calculation Options" tab.
    Calculation options page showing the weighted option selected and the Save button
  4. Check "Weighted" under the Grading System options.
  5. Click “Save” to save your changes and "Close" to return to the Grades tool.
  6. Return to the “Manage Grades” page if you aren't already there.
  7. To edit existing categories, click the category name, or to create a new category, Click "New" and select "Category" from the drop-down.
    create a new grade category
  8. On the Edit/New Category screen, enter a name for the category.
  9.  Scroll down to the Grading section. Enter the weight for the overall category in the Weight text box. If you are using any bonus items within the category, you may also choose to allow the weight to exceed 100%.
    weight of 10 entered for a new category
  10. Under the Distribution options, one of the distribution settings are recommended. If you want all grade items within the category to be equal, then choose "Distribute weights evenly across all items", but if you want some grade items to count more, then choose "Distribute weights by points across all items..." The manual option is also available, but it is less adaptive to changes, and adds more time and math to your setup.
  11. Click "Save and Close" to complete your work on the category, or click Save and New to create a new weighted grading category.
  12. Review the weighting by navigating to Grades and clicking the Manage Grades, and review your weighting scheme.

Assigning Weights with Bulk Edit

Entering weights and categorizing grade items can be more quickly accomplished using Bulk Edit on the Manage Grades page.
  1. On the Manage Grades page, check the box at the top of the list to select all Categories and Grade Items in the gradebook.
  2. Click the Bulk Edit icon to open the Bulk Edit Items and Categories page.
    bulk edit button with all grade items selected
  3. Select all Categories and Grade Items.
  4. In the Weight column, enter a value between "1-100" to assign weights to the categories and items.
  5. Click "Save" to save your changes