Steps for Setting Up an Online Gradebook

There are many reasons why you might want to set up an online gradebook. Perhaps you want to save paper and be more eco-friendly, or maybe you find it more convenient to keep all your records electronically. Whatever your reasons, setting up an online gradebook is easy to do and can save you a lot of time in the long run. Here are some simple steps to get you started.

1. Choose a gradebook software or website.

There are many different options available, so take some time to research the different features each one offers. Some things you might want to consider are ease of use, price, and whether or not you need parental access or student login accounts.

2. Set up your account.

This will usually involve creating a username and password, and entering some basic information about your school and students.

3. Help Parents Set Up Their Account

If you want parents to be able to access the gradebook, you’ll need to provide them with instructions on how to create their own account. This is usually a simple process, but it will vary depending on which software or website you’re using.

4. Enter your students’ information.

You will need to input each student’s name, ID number, and contact information. You may also want to include other data such as birthdate, gender, and ethnicity.

5. Add your courses.

For each course you will need to input the course name, credit value, and grading scale. You may also want to add a description or syllabus.

6. Start entering grades.

You can either input grades manually as you go, or wait until the end of the term and input all grades at once. Be sure to keep track of assignments, tests, and quiz grades in a separate place so you can easily transfer them into the gradebook.

7. Run reports.

Most online gradebooks have built-in reporting features that allow you to generate progress reports, grade histories, and even custom reports. These can be very useful for parent-teacher conferences or progress checks throughout the year. Some of the most useful gradebook reports are  the ones that show how each student is performing in comparison to the class average.

8. Share grades with parents and students.

Once you have input all of your grades, you’ll need to decide how you want to share them with parents and students. Some gradebooks allow you to post grades online for parents and students to view at any time, while others send out periodic email updates or progress reports.

9. Keep your gradebook up to date.

It’s important to keep your gradebook accurate and up-to-date, so be sure to input grades as soon as possible after each assignment, test, or quiz. You should also run reports periodically to check for errors, and make sure all your courses and students are still set up correctly.

10. Back up your data.

Since your gradebook will contain a lot of important data, it’s a good idea to back it up regularly. Most online gradebooks have some sort of backup feature built in, or you can export your data to a file on your computer. Either way, it’s important to have a backup in case something happens to the original gradebook.

By following these simple steps, you can easily set up an online gradebook that will save you time and effort. Once you get started, you may even find that you prefer this method to traditional paper gradebooks. Give it a try and see for yourself!Zara Raza is the Head of Marketing at SchoolCues. SchoolCues was founded in 2010, and provides small schools with an all-in-one platform to manage all school administration activities.