Using Moodle

Creating Scales

Scales are a non-numeric way of evaluating students’ performance. Instead of giving an assignment a number from 1 to 100 as a grade, you can give the student a word or a small phrase as standard feedback.

Moodle’s default scale–"Separate and Connected was of knowing"-gives you three options: Mostly Separate Knowing, Separate and Connected, and Mostly Connected Knowing. These phrases relate to a theory about how people approach the world. Separate knowers try to remain objective and avoid personalizing knowledge. They like to debate and critique new ideas. Connected knowers learn in a socially connected, empathetic way. They try to find consensus instead of confrontation.

This scale comes with Moodle as a default. Some people use it, but many create their own. You can create a scale using any rating system you choose. You can even create a different scale for each assignment.

To create a new scale:

1. Click on the Scales link in the Administration panel.

2. On the Scales page, shown in Figure 12-5, click the “Add a new scale” button.

   

   Figure 12-5. Scales page

3. On the next page, shown in Figure 12-6, give your scale a name.

4. In the Scale box, create your scale. Each item in the scale should be separated by a comma. For example, a good–bad scale would be very good, good, fair, poor, very poor.

   Figure 12-6. Adding a new scale

5. 5. Write a detailed description for your scale. Your students ...