Grading and Feedback

  • Students receive feedback at regular intervals throughout the course.

  • The course adheres to Schulich’s grading policies.

  • Multiple mechanisms are used for delivering feedback.

  • Feedback is prepared and returned using Canvas’ grading tools.

  • From the instructor perspective, the grading workload is manageable.

Tips & Considerations

  • If you haven’t done so already, become familiar with Schulich’s grading policies. They outline some important requirements that impact course and assessment design.
  • Avoid going long periods in the course without providing students with feedback on their performance. Because online courses lack the connectedness that comes with in-person meetings, they often require more regular check-ins and feedback opportunities than face-to-face courses. Students can feel disconnected from their online course if they don’t receive clear indicators of their progress throughout the term.
  • Delivering more regular feedback doesn’t have to mean more work for the instructor. Try building in alternative mechanisms for delivering feedback: auto-graded quizzes, student-student feedback, or make use of Canvas’ Speedgrader tool that increases the efficiency of the grading process. Speedgrader gives instructors a number of ways to mark-up students’ submissions. Instructors can see the submission and use text annotation, point annotation, highlight and strikethrough to provide fine-grain written or video feedback.
  • Build a grading rubric in Canvas to provide students with clarity on assignment expectations and how they will be assessed. Use of a rubric can also speed up the grading process for instructors.