jensen@unmvax.UNM.EDU (Kris Jensen) (08/13/87)
A friend of mine (a teacher--public school junior high science) is
thinking about buying a computer. She'd really like a Macintosh
(having been spoiled by occasional use of mine) but can't find a
grading program that does what she wants. So I thought I'd see if
anyone knows of some software that will meet her needs. (She's found
a program for Apple II's or IBM PC's called Report Card that pretty
much does what she wants, and she'll probably buy a clone unless I can
come up with some Mac software for her.) So this is what she'd like:
1. Unlimited number of excused or no-grade assignments
2. Ability to drop the lowest grade in computing averages
3. Capacity: At least 35 students/class; 50 grades/student
4. Entering data:
a. Enter all students' names at one time.
b. Enter all grades for one activity at one time.
c. Enter a sequence of grades for a student at one time.
5. Reports:
a. One student with all grades, average, and letter grade
b. All of one class's grades for a particular assignment with
class average and distribution
c. All classes' averages for a particular assignment
6. Ability to edit all data
7. Ability to set her own points-to-letter-grade scale.
I've seen a public domain grading program that won't work (for several reasons,
but the main one is that it only allows 20 grades/student). I've taken a look
at an Excel grading template, and it doesn't allow the excused or no-grade
option (I could, I suppose, modify it for her, but I'd rather find a stand-alone
program).
I think she'd find a Mac much easier to use than a clone, but she's
rationalizing her computer purchase by using the computer for grading, and she
wants good software. If you know of any grading software that might do what she
wants, please let me know via mail. I'll summarize to the net if there's
interest. Thanks.
Kris Jensen
jensen@unmvax.UNM.EDU