Setting up your grade book effectively to ensure learners understand how their grade is calculated is important. Particularly important for transparency are establishing clear assignment group weights and incorporating extra credit. These features, along with many others, can be managed in the Canvas grade book.
Assignment Settings
The grade book can typically be set up in two ways: a percentage-based system or a points-based system. When using a points-based system, you do not need to assign weights to different groups of assignments. Instead, you can adjust how many points each assignment is worth in the Assignments tab of your course.
When using a percentage-based system, it is important to assign a percentage to each assignment group. If grade weights are already set up, you will not be prompted to configure them again in the Assignment settings. To set up grade weights, click the three-dot menu and select “Assignment Group Weights.” From there, you can adjust the weights for each group.
Course Settings
Under the Course Details section in the Settings tab on the left-hand navigation bar of your Canvas course, you can change your course grading scheme. By default, Canvas uses a standard grading scheme, but you can adjust it to your preferences. You can modify the grade ranges for A’s, B’s, C’s, and so on.
Grade Book
The gradebook displays all individual assignments. After these, you will see the assignment group grades. Using the search bar, you can look up any student in the course and view their assignment grades. You can also use it to search for specific assignments. Using the filters, you can sort by assignment groups, student groups, status, submissions, and start or end dates.
The gradebook settings can significantly impact how you manage grading. For example, you can apply automatic late penalties to assignments submitted after the deadline. Additionally, you can adjust the grade posting policy by choosing whether grades are posted automatically or manually. You can also enable a final grade override in the settings, which can be useful for adding extra credit to a student’s overall grade.
Another way to add extra credit is by using SpeedGrader. First, click on an individual quiz in the gradebook, then open SpeedGrader. Once there, you can add extra credit points in the Fudge Points section. Alternatively, you can create an extra credit assignment within your assignment groups and manually enter points for it in the gradebook.
Want to learn more? Check out the recorded Quick Hits: Grade Weights, Extra Credit, and Canvas Gradebook Settings.
Upcoming Events
Workshop Wednesday: Designing Effective Rubrics in Canvas
May 27th, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
Facilitated by Digital Learning Strategist James Butler
Join this workshop to learn about designing effective rubrics! Drawing on best practices in online teaching, this training will offer multiple approaches to consider when designing rubrics for various assignments. This training will also cover how to build a rubric in Canvas and attach it to an assignment for clear and convenient grading.
Register for Workshop Wednesday!
WCAG 2.1: What does it mean for your course?
June 3rd, 1:30-2:30 PM
Facilitated by Browning Blair
Join this session to learn about the new federal standards for online accessibility! This training will introduce you to WCAG 2.1 AA, the new legal standard for digital accessibility! You’ll learn how to check the accessibility of your own Canvas course and online teaching materials. When registering, please include any questions you have about this training topic.
Clemson Online Summer 2026 Events Calendar
Review our Summer 2026 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
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