This guide provides best practices for creating Google Classroom assignments that will work seamlessly and effectively with VelociGrader, ensuring accurate and efficient automated grading.
The quality of your assignment instructions directly impacts VelociGrader's ability to understand and grade student work accurately. Think of the AI as a very diligent, but literal, student.
Be Explicit: Clearly state what you expect students to do for each part of the assignment. Avoid ambiguity.
Use Action Verbs: Start instructions with clear action verbs (e.g., "Describe," "Calculate," "Analyze," "Explain").
Define Key Terms: If you use specific terminology, ensure it's defined or clearly understood within the context of the assignment.
State Expectations for Answers: For example, "Your answer should be at least three sentences," or "Provide only the numerical answer."
If you're providing a template file (like a Google Doc or Google Sheet) for students to copy and complete, keep its structure as straightforward as possible.
Minimal Formatting: Avoid overly complex layouts, excessive graphics, or intricate tables unless they are absolutely essential to the task. Simple, clean layouts are easier for the AI to process.
Clear Sections: If the template has different sections, use clear headings or dividers.
No Unnecessary Text: Remove any extraneous text that isn't directly part of the assignment's content or instructions.
Optimal Attachment Strategy: One Template is Best! For the most efficient and accurate grading with VelociGrader, it is highly recommended to provide only one attachment that serves as the student's template (e.g., a single Google Doc or Google Sheet). While Google Classroom allows multiple attachments, a single, focused template simplifies the AI's task of identifying and processing the student's work, leading to more reliable results. If multiple files are absolutely necessary, ensure each file has a clear, distinct purpose.
This is one of the most crucial steps for VelociGrader's accuracy. Numbering helps the AI clearly identify and grade each individual question.
Sequential Numbering: Always use sequential numbering for each distinct question or task.
Good Example:
Explain the process of photosynthesis.
Calculate the area of the rectangle.
List three causes of the American Revolution.
Avoid Sub-bullets without Clear Numbering: If you have sub-parts to a question, consider numbering them as well (e.g., 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) or ensure the main question is clearly numbered.
Consistency: Be consistent in your numbering style throughout the assignment.
The VelociRubric allows you to define specific grading criteria directly within a Google Sheet, giving the AI precise instructions on how to evaluate student work. This is particularly powerful for complex assignments.
What is a VelociRubric? It's a Google Sheet that you attach to your Google Classroom assignment. VelociGrader reads this sheet to understand your custom grading criteria and scoring levels.
How it Works:
Create a Google Sheet.
Define your criteria and levels in a structured way within the sheet. You'll typically have columns for "Criterion," "Description," and then columns for each "Level" (e.g., "Level 4: (100)", "Level 3: (75)", etc.) with corresponding descriptions for each level.
Attach this Google Sheet to your Google Classroom assignment as a "material" (not a student copy).
Benefits:
Granular Control: You dictate exactly how each aspect of the student's work should be assessed.
Consistency: Ensures consistent grading across all submissions, even with AI.
Transparency: Provides clear expectations to students about how they will be graded.
Rich Feedback: The AI can generate feedback that directly aligns with your rubric criteria.
When creating your assignment in Google Classroom:
Create Assignment: Go to "Classwork" -> "Create" -> "Assignment."
Add Instructions: Use the "Instructions" field for your clear, numbered instructions as described in Section 1.
Attach Template (Optional but Recommended): If you have a template (e.g., a Google Doc with numbered questions), attach it from Google Drive and select "Make a copy for each student." This is the file VelociGrader will compare against student submissions. Remember the recommendation for a single template attachment here.
Attach VelociRubric (Highly Recommended for Detailed Grading): If you've created a VelociRubric Google Sheet, attach it from Google Drive. Ensure you select it as a "material" (not "make a copy for each student"). This tells VelociGrader to use your custom rubric.
Set Points: Define the total points for the assignment.
Assign: Post the assignment to your students.
By following these guidelines, you'll empower VelociGrader to provide the most accurate, consistent, and helpful automated grading for your Google Classroom assignments!