An aggregation method determines how the grade book calculates student grades. Moodle has a number of options for calculating grades, and this documentation covers the three most popular types.
Simple Weighted Mean
Simple weighted mean of grades takes into account different weights for items by the number of points assigned to that item. For example, a 100-point assignment has a weight of 100 and a 10-point assignment has a weight of 10. Moodle does this weighting automatically once you set the aggregation method.
- Once you have categorized all items, select Edit and then Edit Settings (located in the Actions column) for the top line of the gradebook. The name of the top line of the gradebook is always the same name as the course. This top line controls the aggregation method for the whole course. Make sure this is set to Simple Weighted Mean.
- Set all individual categories to Simple Weighted Mean.
- Ensure that all category totals and the course total are set to 100 under the Max Grade If they are not set to 100, change the value so they are set to 100.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes. The grade book is now set to simple weighted mean.
Weighted Grades
You can set weighted grades when you give a weight to different grade items or categories of grade items. An example of this is a grading system in which quizzes are worth 40% of the grade, assignments are worth 40% of the grade, and forums are worth 20% of the grade.
- Once you have categorized all items, select Edit and then Edit Settings (located in the Actions column) for the top line of the gradebook. The name of the top line of the gradebook is always the same name as the course. This top line controls the aggregation method for the whole course. Make sure this is set to Weighted Mean of Grades. A Weight column now appears with boxes for each category.
- Set all individual categories to Simple Weighted Mean.
- In the Weight column, fill in the appropriate weight for each category. You may fill out weights of all categories to equal 100 or to equal 1.00. For example, grade weights might appear as 40, 40, and 20, or as .4, .4, and .2. Either way, the result will be the same.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes. The grade book is now set up for weighted grades.
Natural (Points based)
You can use the Natural aggregation method for grading strategies in which the final grade is a sum of points from all items in the grade book. Usually, each graded item is worth a different number of points. Moodle then adds up all points and divides the total points earned by the total points possible to reach the final percentage grade. For instance, if a student earns 879 points in a class that has 1,000 points available, Moodle would calculate the grade as 879/1000, or 87.9%.
Instructors use categories for this aggregation method more for organizational purposes than because they are necessary to the final grade. If an item does not have the correct numerical value associated with it, locate the item on the main course page, and update the settings to reflect the correct point value.
- Once you have categorized all items, select Edit and then Edit Settings (located in the Actions column) for the top line of the gradebook. The name of the top line of the gradebook is always the same name as the course. This top line controls the aggregation method for the whole course. Make sure this is set to Natural.
- Set all individual categories to Natural.
- Ensure the total grade at the bottom of the Gradebook Setup page reflects the total number of points possible in the course.
- At the bottom of the page, click on Save changes. The grade book is now set up for Natural aggregation.
Interested in learning more about grading and feedback in your online course? Feel free to explore the following article on our Center for Teaching and Learning: