Using LMS Assignments with Gradescope as off-campus digital open book exams

Gradescope can be used to set up exams in which students are given a set of questions that can be answered digitally or on paper. Students can scan their responses and upload as a PDF. Staff can  mark the submissions by student, or by question.

Gradescope guides

• About Gradescope
• Guide for LMS Assignments with Gradescope as off-campus digital open-book exams.

Exam types suitable for Gradescope

• Exams that allow students to upload handwritten complex equations, diagrams, script or sketches as a PDF
• Exams that can be presented in a variety of formats using your own templates
• Exams that have short answer and multiple-choice questions
• Exams that allow staff to mark by question
• Exams that will utilise the Gradescope dynamic marking rubric.

Features

• Offers several assignment types that are used for uploading handwritten assignments, or responding by writing in a text box
• Some assignment types can implement a timer to help students keep track of time
• Grading can be completed by question rather than by student. This allows for questions to be allocated to a marker for more consistent marking
• The grading rubric can be created and updated as staff mark the exam
• A technical buffer of 30 minutes is set up between Due date and Until date to separate writing time and submission time. Assignments submitted in that window are identified as late. The student is unable to submit after the Until date and time has been reached
• Students will receive an email confirmation in addition to an on-screen confirmation of their submission.

Other considerations

• Gradescope is an external tool that will need to be set up in addition to an LMS Assignment shell
• Alternative exam arrangements (AEA) are not integrated, and will need to be managed by faculties
• Matching availability times (to each student’s AEA where applicable) also need to be set in the Gradescope interface
• Students will need to be given an opportunity to practice the technology prior to the exam, as the student experience can be complex
• The grading rubric can be changed by any marker during the marking process, proper instruction and training will be required for all markers. See the Gradescope guides or contact the Exams Office for more information.