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How Do I Set Up Weighted Assignments Groups for Grading?

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When you have different assignment types (e.g., assignments, discussions, quizzes, etc.), and a weighted grading system, you may use Canvas’ Assignment Groups to calculate weighted grades and organize the assignments. Based on the information you’ve articulated in your syllabus, you can quickly set up Assignment Groups. 

How to Create Assignment Groups

You can use Canvas to organize your assignments for your courses by creating assignment groups. The groups can help you manage the weighting of various assignment grades in the final grade. 

  1. Log in to Canvas at canvas.brown.edu and select your course from the Global Navigation menu on the left.

  2. Click Assignments in the Course Navigation menu.

Canvas Course Navigation menu with the "Assignments" tab selected

The Assignments page lists all the assignments you have created for your course and their respective assignment groups. You can edit, delete, and add assignments as well as assignment groups. Assignments might not be enabled in your course navigation, but you will still navigate there to set up Assignment Groups.

Canvas "Assignments" page displaying a list of assignments for the course
  1. Click + Group
"Group" and "Assignments" buttons, each marked with a plus icon, allow users to create new groups or add assignments quickly "Group" and "Assignments" buttons, each marked with a plus icon, allow users to create new groups or add assignments quickly
  1. Enter the name of the assignment group in the Group Name box.

  2. Enter the percentage of the total grade in the % of total grade box. You can leave the box empty and/or change the number later.

  3. Click Save.

Create Weighted Assignment Groups for Grading

  1. Click the Assignments Settings icon above the list of assignment groups.
Three-dot settings menu  beside "Group" and "Assignment" buttons used to manage assignment groups
  1. Click Assignment Groups Weight then select Weight final grade based on assignment groups

You have to first create your assignment groups to use this option.

  1. Enter the percentage of the total grade for each assignment group in their respective % boxes.

  2. Make sure the Total is 100%.

  3. Click Save.

You have to first create your assignment groups to use this option.

"Assignments Groups Weight" panel with  fields to enter percentage weights for each assignment group

Manage Assignment Groups

  1. To add a new assignment to a group, click the + icon to the right of the group name.
Assignment group, with highlighted plus button to add a new assignment
  1. To edit a group, click the Edit (gear) icon next to the + icon, then click Edit.
 Quizzes group menu opened from the three-dot icon, showing options to edit, delete, or move the group or its contents

In the window that appears, you can define various grading rules.

  1. Edit the Group Name and % of total grade in their respective boxes.

  • Enter the number of scores to drop from each student's final grade in the Lowest Scores and Highest Scores boxes.

  • In the Never Drop section, click Add an assignment to include one or more assignments in the final grade regardless of score.

Edit Assignment Group Panel, with options to change a group's percentage weight and exclude certain scores
  1. To reorder an assignment group in the Assignments page, click and drag the assignment group.

  2. To delete a group, click the Edit (gear) icon to the right of the group name, then click Delete. You can delete the assignments within the assignment group or move them to another assignment group.

For more information on Assignment Groups, please see the following link: How do I Weight the Final Course Grade Based on Assignment Groups  

Need Additional Help?

  • Click the Help button in Canvas to connect with 24/7 Canvas support by phone or chat

  • For help with Canvas, please contact [email protected]

  • To discuss strategies for implementing Canvas and DLD approved integrated learning tools into your course, please contact [email protected]

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