Skip to main content

Using outcomes to assess with partial points

If you want to assess an examination assignment with partial points, the Canvas function "Outcomes" can be used to document and compile the results. You create outcomes for each sub-assignment, link the outcomes to the Canvas assignment, and assess with rubrics. The results compiled in or outside Canvas depending on the complexity of the compilation.

Outcomes for assessment with partial points

Learning outcomes can be used to assess an assignment in Canvas with points for subassignments. This may be suitable, for example, if you have imported scanned exams or if the examination is divided into several Canvas assignments.

Create outcomes for each sub-task

Start by creating an outcome for each sub-task and use the following settings:

  • For criterion ratings, it is enough to set two levels, one for the lowest and one for the highest score. If there are very few points, it may be appropriate to have a level for each point.  
  • Mastery determines the color that Canvas shows for the outcome in, for example, the learning mastery gradebook. Decide for yourself what is an appropriate level. In the example, it is set to a score to indicate that points have been awarded.
  • Set Calculation Method to "Most Recent Score" .

If you need more help creating outcomes, use the guide Adding and adjusting settings for outcomes .

Example of an outcome. The levels are "5" and "0", mastery is set to 1 and the calculation method is set to "Most Recent Score".

Align outcomes to assignment(s)

Once outcomes have been created, you need to create a rubric to align them with your assignment(s).

Note! Be careful to link the rubric to the outcomes you have created and that you don't create local criteria in the rubric. It is not possible to use local criterion for combining results.

Create a rubric for your assignment. If you need help, you can use the guide Using outcomes to assess assignments . In the guide, the recommendation is to remove the points from the rubric, but if the rubric is used for partial points, the points should remain.

If the result of the assignment is directly linked to the sum of the points on the sub-tasks, you can select "Use this rubric for assignment grading". Then the points will be summed up and displayed as a result for the assignment. If the assignment is set to use letter grades, it is translated into a letter according to the grading scheme. Keep in mind that the total points for the assignment needs to match the total points for the rubric. You also need to make sure that the grading scheme matches the levels you want. Learn more about grading schemes on the page about Letter grades and grading schemes .

Assess the assignment(s)

When you assess the students' submissions in SpeedGrader, enter how many points the student receives for each sub-task in the rubric. Read more about assessment with outcomes in SpeedGrader .

Example of a filled out rubric for assessment in Canvas. The rubric has three outcomes, and the points for each assignment is written in the column "Points". The total points are shown at the bottom right corner.

Assessing at the same time in SpeedGrader with a rubric for outcomes

Note that if you have chosen to add a rubric with outcomes for the assessment in SpeedGrader, only one teacher at a time can handle the students' rubrics. The assessment rubrics are saved with the save button, but the page must be reloaded in the browser in order to be updated. Anyone who writes in a rubric without first updating the page will delete everyone else's notes in the rubric. Updating the page takes different amounts of time depending on how many students need to be assessed, which means that it is not always a sustainable way of working. The recommendation is that you and assessing colleagues decide the time when each person can edit the students' rubrics.

Assessing with SpeedGrader's other notation tools works for co-assessment at the same time.

Compile results

If you've used outcomes on multiple Canvas assignments, or you want a more advanced compilation than summing up scores, you'll need to export the Learning Mastery Gradebook. Learn about how to find the learning mastery gradebook .

Click "Export report”. The result is exported to a CSV file that you can open and process in, for example, Excel.

Show "Unassessed students" to include everyone in the export

If you want to be able to import the results into Canvas, it makes it easier if the student lists match each other. Make sure you export the outcomes for all students by clicking on the three dots to the right of "Students" and selecting "Unassessed students" if it is not already preselected.

Import results back into Canvas

Once the result is compiled, you can import it back into the Canvas Gradebook to allow students to see their results in one place. If so, start by creating and publishing an assignment for final result in Canvas. Then export the Gradebook and transfer the compilation you made based on the export of the outcomes to the column of the assignment you just created. After that, you can import the results back into Canvas.

Learn more about importing results on the page Manage results with Canvas .

Did you find this page useful?
Thank you for helping us!
Page responsible:e-learning@kth.se
Belongs to: KTH Intranet
Last changed: Feb 28, 2024