Game Changer: Canvas Learning Mastery Gradebook and Standards Based Grading

Game Changer

You know when you have one of those AHA moments? The ones that make you wish you knew something much sooner so it could save you time in the long run? I had one of those moments in the fall when I started to discover outcomes in Canvas. I started digging and eventually found that using standards as outcomes for assignments is a serious game changer when it comes to standards based grading.

Now you are probably wondering how this works and why it is so great?

HOW:

Step 1- Enable Learning Mastery Gradebook under the Settings tab and Feature Options in Canvas.

Step 2- Add standards that will be reported for each subject area under the Outcomes navigation tab and Manage under Outcomes in Canvas. Use the Find tool to add the state standards to your outcomes.

Step 3- Set the outcome Mastery Scale under the Mastery tab in Outcomes.

Step 4- When an assignment is created that will be used for standards assessment, add a rubric and the outcomes (standards) that match the assignment.

WHY:

This has been such a time hack for me! As I think back to going back at the end of the nine weeks to assignments and looking at the standards and how students did on each standard, this makes it so much easier to add it as you go. When it comes time for standards based reporting, the work is done for you!

Erin Freestone

4th Grade Online Teacher & White River Elementary Media Specialist