Here you will find an example of how the calculation of assessment averages on a gradebook is affected by choosing one of two different methods. These methods involve either calculating the average score for each type of assessment separately and then combining them or determining a weighted average of all individual assessments. Let’s explore how these methods differ by working through an example.
Scenario:
In this scenario, your course includes two types of assessments: Tests and Presentations. Here are the scores you received:
- Test Scores: 20, 17, 16, 16, 18
- Presentation Score: 15
We will calculate your final grade using both methods.
Method 1: Averaging the Averages of Each Assessment Type
This method involves calculating the average score within each type of assessment (Tests and Presentations) and then averaging these two averages to determine the final grade.
- Calculate the Average for Test Scores:
- First, sum up all your test scores: 20+17+16+16+18.
- The sum of your test scores is 87.
- Since there are five tests, divide the sum by the number of tests: 587.
- The average score for your tests is 17.4.
- Use the Presentation Score Directly:
- Since there is only one presentation, its score is 15.
- Calculate the Final Grade:
- Now, combine the test average (17.4) and the presentation score (15).
- Add these two numbers together: 17.4+15=32.4.
- Divide by the number of assessment types (2): 232.4.
- Your final grade according to this method is 16.2.
Summary for Method 1: By averaging the averages of each assessment type, your final grade is 16.2.
Method 2: Weighted Average of All Individual Assessments
In this method, you calculate the average of all your individual assessment scores, considering each assessment as equally contributing to the final grade.
- Calculate the Total Sum of All Scores:
- Add up all the scores from your tests and presentation: 20+17+16+16+18+15.
- The total sum of your scores is 102.
- Calculate the Total Number of Assessments:
- Count the total number of assessments: five tests plus one presentation equals six assessments.
- Calculate the Final Grade:
- Divide the total sum of all your scores by the total number of assessments: 6102.
- The result is 17.
Summary for Method 2: By calculating the average of all individual assessments, your final grade is 17.
Comparison and Conclusion
- Method 1 (Averaging the Averages): This method gives equal weight to each assessment type, regardless of how many assessments are in each category. In this example, it results in a final grade of 16.2.
- Method 2 (Weighted Average of All Assessments): This method treats each individual assessment equally, resulting in a final grade of 17.
These two methods can produce different final grades depending on how the assessments are distributed. Method 1 emphasizes the average performance within each assessment type, while Method 2 reflects the overall performance across all assessments. This comparison highlights how the method of calculation can affect the final outcome.
