Making the Grade

Engrade is a great tool for documenting and keeping track of students' grades. The software is very easy to use as it walks you through setting up your class. There are many things I like about the site. I like that you can easily input assignments into the calendar, and students as well as parents can access a monthly view of what is due or what it to come. In the calendar, students can access assignment descriptions and any attachments that the teacher uploaded. I think it's a necessary feature because students often lose important handouts. Parents often feel that they can't help or stay on top of their child, because they don't know what is due or have access to material. I also like the convenience of email or writing in comments for individual students directly on the site. This allows a convenient opportunity for students or parents to ask questions or give feedback about a particular activity, project, or grade. The individual comments for each student allows the teacher to give personal feedback to a student. It's also nice to communicate with parents and students all in one place. My district email right now is not connected to home access, which I believe is a negative aspect of the software we currently use. Home access to grades and assignments is an effective and, in today's world, necessary means of communication. Parents can keep track of their child's success. I found Engrade to be user friendly and the help topics guided me through the process. Keeping track of student grades by hand is just not effective or time efficient anymore. There are teachers who still do their own math because they don't trust technology. Parents and students can log-in anytime to check grades, keeping themselves informed and holding students accountable for their own learning as well. Teachers are providing constant updates to parents, improving the communication between home and school.
The one thing I felt was lacking was the ability to add links and video to the assignment descriptions. The text they allow you to provide is very simple and didn't allow access to the internet. This is why I feel websites are necessary. Teacher websites can include extension activities, links or tutorials that would help him/her be successful independently. I think that teacher websites and an online grading system are two necessary elements of a 2.o classroom.