The automatic zero grading feature consists of two functions:
- Automatically assigning grades of zero (0) on supported course activities that are past due.
- Auto-tagging of the automatic zero grade to differentiate the grade from zeroes that are assigned manually by the instructor.
The automatic zero functionality is off by default.
To enable:
- From the navbar, click the Gear icon (Admin Tools).
- Click Config Variable Browser.
- In the Search all Variables box, type Zero and click the Search icon.
- Enable automatic zero grading using one or both of the following configuration variables:
Configuration scenarios for Automatic Zero
| Scenario |
d2l.Tools.Grades.AutomaticZero (Org Unit) |
d2l.Tools.Grades.ShowAutomaticZerosetting (Org) |
Outcomes |
| Automatic Zero grading is enabled for the Org or org unit and visible to instructors |
On |
On |
Automatic Zero grading is applied to overdue submissions in all courses.
Instructors can toggle the setting on or off within their own courses, providing the option for them to turn on Automatic Zero grading to overdue submissions.
|
| Automatic Zero is enabled for the Org or org unit but hidden from instructors |
On |
Off |
Automatic Zero grading is applied to overdue submissions in all courses.
Instructors cannot see or toggle the setting in Grades settings in their courses.
|
| Automatic Zero is disabled for the Org but visible to instructors |
Off |
On |
Automatic Zero grading does not apply to missed submissions by default. Instructors can enable the setting in their own courses if they so choose. |
| Automatic Zero is disabled for the Org and hidden from instructors |
Off |
Off |
Automatic Zero grading does not apply to overdue submissions and instructors cannot see or toggle the setting in Grades settings in their courses. |
How Automatic Zero works
Once enabled, Automatic Zero operates on activities that have due dates. The system automatically assigns a grade of zero (0) to a learner once the activity due date or special access due date passes, provided there are no other exemptions or release conditions. This functionality replaces the need for an instructor to review and score missing items individually or via bulk score.
On Enter Grades, instructors see a dashed underline applied to automatic zeros (0) along with a tooltip that appears on hover to indicate that the system automatically applied the zero (0).
Figure: In the grade book, the automatic zero grade appears underlined with hover text indicating Automatic zero. Missing submission on the due date.
On View Grades, learners see a zero (0) grade appear, along with a default text message stating: This activity is overdue, and you haven’t completed it. Complete it now to update your grade. This default text is dynamic: learners can only see the message until the end date for the activity, at which time the feedback disappears. Instructors cannot edit this dynamic message. Instructors must manually enter their own feedback comments if they want the learner feedback to persist.
|
Note: This text does not appear in Data Sets. |
Edit default language in the automatic zero grading feature
The default language appears as “This activity is overdue and you haven’t completed it. Complete it now to update your grade”. This text assumes an open late submission policy which encourages users to submit and may require editing to suit your own institutional policies.
You can customize the default text to match your institution’s policy by editing the language pack key Grades.UserMain.txtOverdueComment (in all supported languages).