InterPro - Online Learning - Teaching Resources for Instructors - Why it's important to enter missing assignments as zero in the grade book

The following document illustrates why it's important to enter missing assignments as zero in the grade book.

It is important to provide timely and accurate grading. 

When a student does not submit a required, graded assignment, it is important to enter a zero (0) in the grade book for that assignment. 

If you do not enter a zero (0) in the grade book for these missing assignments, students will have an inflated grade that does not accurately represent their grade in the course


The following exampleS illustrate the difference between leaving missing assignments as ungraded vs. entering missing assignments as zero (0):

Example 1 

Before Missing assignments are not calculated, so final grade is inaccurate.  

706_example2A_annotated.png

After Missing assignments are calculated, so final grade is accurate. 

706-2B_annotated.png




Example 2 

Before Missing assignments are not calculated, so final grade is not calculated. 

missing-ungraded.png

After Missing assignments are calculated, so final grade is accurate. 

Gradebook-missingzero.png


To assist with this process, you can apply a Missing Submission Policy in the grade book settings, so missing assignments are automatically entered into the grade book as zero (0)

Canvas-missingassignmentpolicy.png

Accurate and timely grading is very important, providing valuable information to students, instructors, and staff.