Gradescope
What is Gradescope
Gradescope was originally developed to digitize and streamline the grading and feedback process of paper based assessments and examinations. In recent years the tool has expanded to provide a variety of assessment types and online grading options, including bubblesheets, programing assessments, online rubrics, and online quizzes.
What is the purpose of Gradescope
Gradescope is used to efficiently distribute, organize, and/or grade paper or PDF based assessments. With the unique features like AI assisted grading, online rubrics, and collaborative grading, can speed up the grading and feedback process of assessments.
How to use Gradescope
Western users can access Gradescope at gradescope.ca. Users can login using their Western credentials via Single Sign-On (SSO).
Gradescope is also available via OWL Sakai and OWL Brightspace.
Instructors can distribute an assessment to students either in-person or online. Completed assessments can be photographed or scanned as a PDF and will be uploaded to Gradescope by either instructors or students. Once uploaded, instructor or students will have to map out questions areas throughout the pages in order to allow the tool to identify and organize student responses.
When student submissions are mapped out, instructors or teaching assistants can grade and provide feedback online using various grading, annotation, and feedback features.
Students are then able to access and review thier feedback online.
Where to find Support
This tool is centrally supported
Documentation
Additional information on Gradescope can be found on the Gradescope Help page.
Tool Evaluation
Functionality
| Rating | Rationale |
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ScaleGradescope can be scaled to accommodate any size class with the flexibility to create smaller sub-groups or communities of practice |
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Ease of UseGradescope has a learner interface that may be confusing to some; there is limited opportunity for personalization. |
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Tech Support/Help AvailabilityIn-person or email based technical support is readily available and aids users in troubleshooting tasks or solving problems experienced. |
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HypermedialityGradescope allows users to communicate through different channels (audio, visual, textual) but is limited in its ability to provide non-sequential, flexible/adaptive engagement with material. |
Accessibility
| Rating | Rationale |
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AODA FriendlyGradescope has some limited capacity to be fully accessible for users or for materials to be made AODA-friendly. |
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User-focused participationGradescope has some limited capacity to address the needs of diverse users, their various literacies, and capabilities. |
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Required EquipmentProper use of the tool requires equipment that is common and/or purchased at a low cost (microphone, speakers, cell phone, etc.) |
Technical
| Rating | Rationale |
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OWL IntegrationGradescope can be embedded within OWL but with limited integration and functionality. |
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Operating SystemsUsers can effectively utilize Gradescope with any standard, up-to-date operating system (i.e. Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS, etc.) |
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Web BrowserUsers can effectively utilize Gradescope with any standard, up-to-date web browser (i.e. Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, etc.) |
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Additional Tech RequirementsUsers can effectively utilize Gradescope without any browser extensions or downloaded software. |
Mobile Design
| Rating | Rationale |
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Mobile Operating SystemsGradescope is fully functional with a range of electronic mobile devices (laptops, tablets, touchscreens, mobile devices, etc.) |
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Mobile FunctionalityBasic features of the Gradescope are functional on the mobile app but advanced features are limited. |
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Offline AccessThe platform cannot be used in any capacity offline.
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Usage and Account Set Up
| Rating | Rationale |
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Sign Up/Sign InUse of Gradescope does not require the creation of an external account or additional login beyond OWL or Single Sign-On (SSO) login
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Cost of UseAll aspects of the tool can be used free of charge. |
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Archiving, Saving, and Exporting DataThere are limitations to archiving, saving, or importing/exporting content or activity data. |
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Data Privacy and OwnershipUsers maintain ownership and copyright of their intellectual property/data; data is shared publically and cannot be made private. Gradescope's Terms of Use states: "The content you post or generate on the Service is yours, and you warrant that you have all rights to provide it. You agree that others may have access to your content, in accordance with your settings and these terms." |
Social Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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CollaborationGradescope has the capacity to support a community of learning through asynchronous but not synchronous opportunities for communication, interactivity, and transfer of meaning between users. |
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User AccountabilityInstructors can control student anonymity; Gradescope provides technical solutions for holding students accountable for their actions. |
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DiffusionStudent familiarity with Gradescope is likely mixed, some will lack basic technical competence with its functions. |
Instructor Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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FacilitationGradescope has easy-to-use features that would significantly improve an instructor’s ability to be present with students via active management, monitoring, and feedback. |
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CustomizationLimited aspects of Gradescope can be customized to suit the classroom context and learning outcomes. |
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Learning AnalyticsInstructor can monitor students’ performance on a variety of responsive measures. |
Cognitive Presence
| Rating | Rationale |
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Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s)Gradescope acts as a direct tool substitute with no functional change to engagement in the targeted cognitive task(s). |
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Higher Order ThinkingGradescope may engage students in higher order thinking skills, given significant consideration to design, facilitation and direction from the instructor. For example, instructors may direct students to review detailed feedback submit a reflect on feedback received, areas of strength, and areas for improvement. |
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Feedback on LearningThrough Gradescope, students can regularly receive formative feedback on learning (i.e. they can track their performance, monitor their improvement, test their knowledge, etc.) |
Security and Privacy
This tool has been formally reviewed by Western’s Technology Risk Assessment Committee
Security and Privacy Flags
Information Collection
- Application collects information that could identify the user specifically (email address, class schedule, etc..)
Integration
- This application saves grading information independently from OWL
- This application transmits data (grades, student data, etc...) to or from a Western system of record
Last Updated: February 21, 2024
Rubric
The eLearning Toolkit Evaluations are made available under the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
Feedback
Leave feedback to comment or request that the tool be re-reviewed
Topic at a Glance
Gradescope is used to distribute assessments, grade, and evaluate students' understanding of course content.
The tool can efficiently grade and provide feedback for paper based assessments on an online platform.
