Canvas SpeedGrader

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Accessing SpeedGrader
  3. Using Other Devices with Canvas SpeedGrader
  4. Creating Self-Assessments
  5. Creating and Attaching Rubrics
  6. Grading by Secret Numbers
  7. Statistics for Grading Calibration

Introduction

SpeedGrader is a electronic grading tool from Canvas that had been adopted by the University of Washington School of Dentistry to facilitate digital grading. Digital grading has many advantages over paper grading, namely:

  • Enhances student access to accurate grades.
  • Allows instructors to provide instant, high-quality feedback.
  • Minimizes the risk of lost or doctored forms.
  • Addresses unnecessary paper waste.
  • Allows staff to view relevant statistics for grading calibration and consistency.

Like any other tool, SpeedGrader does have certain limitations and drawbacks:

  • Requires a stable, high-speed internet connection.
  • Does not inform incomplete grading for a student.
  • Can override entered grades if multiple instructors grade the same student concurrently.

Accessing SpeedGrader

Prior to attending your clinic session, have the following ready:

  • Your UW NetID and corresponding password. (Note: Your UW NetID is the first part of your UW email. For example, if my email was ‘johndoe@uw.edu’, my UW NetID would be ‘johndoe’.)
  • Your mobile phone that serves as your two-factor authentication (2FA) device.

If you are unsure of your UW NetID, ask one of the course directors, program coordinators, or administrators to retrieve it for you. Alternatively, use this tool to retrieve your UW NetID. If you have forgotten your password, refer to this page.

In order to access SpeedGrader on the iPad, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to Canvas in the Safari web browser. Alternatively, click on the Purple UW bookmark from the homescreen dock to navigate to this page.
  2. Login with your UW NetID credentials. You may be asked to sign in with two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
  3. You should now see the Canvas dashboard page. Using the purple navigation bar located on the left-side of the screen, click on ‘Courses’. You will see a list of courses that you have been added to. Locate and click on the course that you are grading for. You should now see that course homepage.
  4. Using the blue courses navigation links on the left, locate and click on the ‘Assignments’ link. Under ‘Assignments’, locate and click on the assignment that you are grading.
  5. On the page of the assignment, find ‘Related Items’ on the right side of the screen. Underneath ‘Related Items’, click on ‘SpeedGrader’. Adjust the viewfinder by moving the divider.
  6. Click on ‘View Rubric’ to start grading the assignment. Once you are done with the entire rubric be sure to hit ‘Save’. Canvas will not let you know if you have missed a criteria for grading so be sure to double-check you have graded everything. If you do not hit ‘Save’ you will lose what you have graded thus far.
  7. To add comments to a critera, hit the dialogue button. You can type up comments, write them using an Apple Pencil, or use dictation. Once you have graded the parts of the assignment and have left any comments, be sure to hit ‘Save’. If you do not hit ‘Save’ you will lose any comments.

    The video below simply demonstrates using an Apple Pencil to write comments.

Using Other Devices with Canvas SpeedGrader

SpeedGrader gives you the flexibility to use other devices besides iPads as well since it can be accessed through any web browser. In order to access SpeedGrader on another device (Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, etc.), follow the steps similarly outlined above. Instead of Safari, you can utilize any web browser of your choice insetad.

Creating Self-Assessments

Program coordinators are able to assist you with creating digital self-assessments. If you would like to learn how to create and use self-assessments for your course, reach out to Jason. Otherwise, contact one of the program coordinators for assistance.

Creating and Attaching Rubrics

Program coordinators are able to assist you with creating and attaching rubrics. If you would like to learn how to create and attach your own rubrics in, reach out to Jason. Otherwise, contact one of the program coordinators for assistance.

Grading by Secret Numbers

Program coordinators have the necessary files to enable grading by secret numbers. Coordinators also have the necessary files to enable grading by pentagon numbers as well. Grading by secret or pentagon numbers requires you to create Canvas groups that link each student to a group that corresponds to their secret number.

For more details or assistance with setting up digital grading with secret numbers, please contact one of the program coordinators.

Statistics for Grading Calibration

Program coordinators are able to assist you with pulling the data required for grading calibration.

Please contact one of the program coordinators for assistance with this.