Rate Forum Posts

By default, forums in Course Site have no grade associated with them. However, forums have a rating option that, when enabled, allows instructors to rate student forum posts.

There are two basic ways to rate posts.

• Use a set number of points, for example 1-5.
• Use a preset scale with a variety of scores or text options (for example: Complete/Incomplete).

Both types of ratings will appear in the Gradebook, but only ratings with a point value will contribute to a course total grade.

Whole forum grading is preferred if you wish to associate a grade with the forum.

Setting up rating options for a forum

1. Create your forum. Give your forum a name and choose a forum type.
2. Scroll down and click Ratings to expand options.
   Note - You'll only see the option "Aggregate type" until you select an option, once you select your aggregate type the other rating options will appear.
   
3. Choose an Aggregate type. The aggregate type defines how ratings are combined to form the final grade in the gradebook.
   • Average of ratings - The mean of all ratings.
   • Count of ratings - The number of rated posts becomes the final grade. Note that the total cannot exceed the maximum grade for the activity.
   • Maximum rating - The highest rating becomes the final grade.
   • Minimum rating - The smallest rating becomes the final grade.
   • Sum of ratings - All ratings are added together for a total score. Note that the total cannot exceed the maximum grade for the activity.
     Note: No aggregation method can exceed the maximum point value of the numeric scale chosen for rating
     Example: If you set Maximum points = 10, and Aggregate type = Sum of ratings, a student who has four separate posts that are all rated at 3 points each will still only receive 10 points total for the forum.
4. Choose a Scale Type:
   • For Scale, choose a Scale from the drop-down list. Scales that include point values will appear in the gradebook, scales with no point value will not.
   • For Point, enter a point value in Maximum points. Rating values will appear in the gradebook.
5. Scroll down and click Save and display.

Rating an individual post

1. Find the post you want to rate.
2. Choose a rating from the Rate drop-down menu at the bottom of the post.
   
3. View the student’s score.
   • Instructors see the rating, as well as the aggregation method, the student’s current score, and the Rate menu.
   • Students see their own rating and the aggregation of their scores in this forum. Students only see their own ratings or scores.
4. Rate other posts as necessary.
5. When you are done return to your course homepage.