How do I weight the final course grade based on assignment groups?

Weighting assignments in the Canvas Gradebook ensures that grades accurately reflect the relative importance of different assessments and learning activities. Thoughtful weighting provides students with a clearer picture of what matters most in the course while promoting consistency, transparency, and alignment between assessment and course learning outcomes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. By default, Canvas calculates the Total grade based on the points possible for a student. Alternatively, you can weigh final grades based on the assignment groups.
2. Navigate to the Assignments page of your course.
3. Verify that you have assignment groups that match your desired grading categories.
4. If needed, additional assignment groups can be created by selecting the Add Group button.
5. Click the Assignments Settings three-dot icon and select the Assignment Groups Weight option.
6. Click the Weight final grade based on assignment groups checkbox.
7. Enter the percentage weights for each Assignment Group.
8. The weights will show up in the Gradebook for both students and instructors. In most cases, the Total should equal 100%.
9. If using the group for Extra Credit, it is best to weigh the group at 0% until the course nears completion. Then the extra-credit group weight should be adjusted to the desired percentage of the total grade you want to allocate as extra credit. Note that this will result in a total grade greater than 100%.
10. Click the Save button.
11.  To see how the weights affect the Total grade in the course, navigate to the gradebook. Confirm the assignment groups are accurately weighted.

TLC Pro-Tips for Course Enhancements

• • Data-Informed Insights: If utilizing Canvas Quizzes or New Analytics, check your course data after the first week of the term. This insight will help you identify which resource folders students are accessing most frequently.
  • Accessibility Check: Always run the native Canvas Accessibility Checker (the small person icon at the bottom of the Rich Content Editor) before publishing a new content page. This ensures all tables, text colors, and media elements remain fully accessible to all modern learners.
  • Student Interaction: Consider integrating short, informal Canvas surveys. This active feedback measure lets you stay highly responsive to ongoing student academic and personal growth needs.
  • Question Stem Construction: Follow the faculty item development guide to have the strongest, concise question stems that will help lead to better assessments with better measurable results. 

Additional Resources

Canvas: How do I create a quiz using New Quizzes?

Canvas: What is New Quizzes?

Canvas: How do I use the Moderate page in New Quizzes?

Need Extra Support?

We are here to partner with you as you enhance your courses. If you run into technical issues or want a collaborative consultation on designing custom interactive modules, please reach out to our team:

• Email: tlc@neco.edu
• Office Hours: View our current consultation schedule on the TLC website portal