Overview
Paradigm supports the use of concurrent grading systems to give providers flexibility on how academic outcomes are awarded to course enrolments, unit enrolments, and assessments. The grading system within Paradigm is also equipped to handle changes to grading schemas that are necessary to make over time. This knowledge article will provide a detailed workflow on how you can search, add, and edit grade type according to the business requirements of your institution.
Complexity: MEDIUM
Navigation
Key Terms and Concepts
Select the sections below for a detailed explanation on some of the key terms and concepts in relation to this Paradigm feature.
Grade Type fields
1 Grade Id – System generated ID Code that identifies the grade.
2 Grade Type Id – System generated code that identifies the type of grade.
3 Grade – Abbreviated code for the grade e.g. HD, DN CR
4 Grade Points – The number of points contributed to the Grade Point Average and the calculation of Weighted Average Mark.
5 Order – The order or sequence number for the grade to appear in the drop box.
6 Visibility – This will let you set the visibility status to Hidden or Visible.
7 Description – Full name of the grade e.g. High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, etc.
8 Descriptor – [Optional] It is an alternative description used for system generated report.
BE ADVISED: Setting the Minimum and Maximum Mark should not overlap, otherwise Paradigm won’t know which grade to choose to make the conditions true.
9 Minimum Mark – The minimum percentage grade required to achieve this grade.
10 Maximum Mark – The maximum percentage grade required to achieve this grade.
11 Result Status – The unit status that is paired with this grade e.g. when setting a pass equivalent the status should be "Completed", and when setting a fail equivalent the status should be "Fail".
12 Contributes to Credit Points – Indicates whether this result contributes to a Grade Point Average.
INFO: This field is not required and should be left blank for Higher Education Grading System.
13 Outcome Identifier - National – The AVETMISS compliant national code for this grade that identifies this result.
14 Allowed to Recalculate – If set to NO, this will not change the final unit outcome.
15 Final Mark Result – This field is only to be used at the Assessment Level. If a student obtains enough marks or less to pass a unit but still fail on the hurdle condition.
Implications
BE ADVISED: Changing any of the grade values will cause historical reports to print according to the new grade values. Consult with your "nominated contact person" or other Paradigm Expert before making any changes. If you are the "nominated contact person" or Paradigm Expert for your institution and need further help, please consult the Silverband Helpdesk for more information.
NOTE: Updating the grading system is not a frequent or regular occurrence, and is usually done when the institution is changing from one grading system to another e.g. from numerical grades to letter grades, or when adding a new grading system (e.g. Vocational Learning of Competency Achieved, Competency not Achieved).
Workflow
STEP 1 Choose from below your action with Grade Types:
A.Search for a Grade System
Choose the System menu.
Choose Search Grade Type.
Click the SEARCH GRADE TYPES button.
After doing the steps above, a list of all Grade Types will appear as shown below. Select on the Blue hyperlink next to the Grade type to be viewed (e.g. Assessment Grade, Competency Grade, Course Grade, ELICOS Grade, or Unit Grade)
5. After choosing a Grade Type to view, a screen the same as below will display all the possible grades a student can achieve on that specific Grade Type.
INFO: In the example above, all possible grades a student can get after completing a unit is displayed.
B.Add new Grade System
STEP 1 Choose 1 System > 2 Search Grade Type > 3 Click the SEARCH GRADE TYPES button.
STEP 2 A list of all Grade Types in the system will appear, as shown below: 4 Select the Grade Type that you want to add another possible grade.
STEP 3 After selecting a Grade Type to add another possible grade, a screen the same as below will display all the possible grades a student can achieve on that specific Grade Type. 5 Click the ADD GRADE button to add another possible Grade of that chosen Grade Type.
INFO: In the example above, a UNIT_GRADE Type is chosen.
STEP 4 A form to add another possible grade of your chosen Grade Type will appear. 6 Fill out the “GRADE ITEM DETAILS” Form. Refer to the Fields within the Grade Types section above for the description of each fields. 7 Once all the details have been filled out, click the SAVE GRADE button to add the newly created possible grade a student can get on that Grade Type.
C.Edit existing Grade System
STEP 1 Choose 1 System > 2 Search Grade Type > 3 Click the SEARCH GRADE TYPES button.
STEP 2 A list of all Grade Types in the system will appear, as shown below: 4 Select the Grade Type that you want to edit.
STEP 3 After selecting a Grade Type to edit, a screen the same as below will display all the possible grades a student can achieve on that specific Grade Type. 5 Select the Grade that you want to edit and click the PENCIL📝 button to edit.
NOTE: In the example below, the D grade under the UNIT_GRADE Type has been chosen.
STEP 4 A form to edit the details and conditions of the chosen possible grade under a Grade Type will appear. 6 Edit/Update the required fields. Refer to the Fields within the Grade Types section above for the description of each fields. 7 After editing the fields, click the SAVE GRADE button to apply the changes.
