The Final Windows Shareware CD/_.img/winshare/educate/gb301/readme.doc

Text File | 1993-09-25 | 39KB | 665 lines

                         GRADEBOOK for Windows

Program Author:

  Russell Stevens
  5191 Pine Grove Dr.
  Spruce, MI 48762
  517-727-2066
  CompuServe 70150,323

Important Note:

  GRADEBOOK requires the Visual Basic Runtime dynamic link library
VBRUN300.DLL in order to run.  This file is widely available and may not
have been included to save disk space and or download times.  If you do not
yet have this file you may obtain much more detailed program information
from the included GRADEBK.HLP on-line Windows help file.  To view this file
do a File, Run from the Windows Program Manager and run the WINHELP.EXE
file which is located in the \WINDOWS subdirectory.  After the help program
starts, do a File, Open and select the GRADEBK.HLP file.  You may then
browse through the help file.  If you have difficulty obtaining the
VBRUN300.DLL file, you may order a complete review copy of the program from
the author for $3.  The review program includes an automatic install
program and all required files.  The $3 is deductible if you later register
the program.

ASP Information:

  This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware related problem
with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to
help.  The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an
ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or
send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to the ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.

Program Description:

  GRADEBOOK allows you to keep student scores and calculate grades
automatically.  Because every instructor records and calculates grades
differently, the program was designed to be flexible.  GRADEBOOK can be
used by elementary, junior high school, high school and college
instructors.  It sets no practical limit on the number of terms, classes,
students or tasks.  Multiple periods per term and custom term names are
supported.

  GRADEBOOK keeps track of student scores on various tasks in up to ten
different categories.  All categories except extra credit are user-
definable.  GRADEBOOK will keep your student list in alphabetical order or
you may place the students in any desired order to agree with a manually
kept grade book.  Reports may be in rank order if desired.  Student names
and optional ID numbers may be entered manually or optionally imported from
an ASCII file.  All program input is checked for validity as it is entered.

  Using GRADEBOOK, you can calculate your grades by summing the
individually weighted raw scores (total points), by using percentage scores
and assigning weighting factors to particular categories of tasks (category
weights), or by combining both methods (total points with category
weights).  You have the option of ignoring low scores in each category when
you calculate the final grade.  Several options are available for extra
credit and not counted scores may be entered.  Scores may be incremented,
scaled or adjusted to obtain the desired mean or standard deviation.
Custom scores may be calculated as a function of other scores.

  GRADEBOOK can calculate and plot the distribution of scores for a single
class or for several combined classes, for a single task or for all the
tasks.  Based on this distribution, you specify the interval of scores for
each letter grade.  GRADEBOOK then automatically calculates the final grade
for each student.  GRADEBOOK can assign either A, B, C, D, and E grades, or
plus and minus grades.  Custom letter grades may also be assigned.
GRADEBOOK can automatically support pass/fail, 4.0, 7.5, etc., type
systems.  Grades may be manually overridden.  GRADEBOOK can also calculate
and plot the distribution of grades for a single class or for several
combined classes.  Grades and scores may be printed on an instructor
summary sheet for your use or as individual student reports.  Different
report formats are available.  You can issue progress reports any time
during a grading period and GRADEBOOK will automatically calculate the
appropriate interim weights.  Progress reports may contain teacher notes.
If you wish, reports can be printed for posting using student ID numbers.
GRADEBOOK allows you to revise any data including student and task order at
any time.  GRADEBOOK will quickly calculate what score would be required on
the final exam to get a particular term grade.  GRADEBOOK allows students
that have different grading criteria to be extracted from the main class
and allows extracted students to be combined back into the main class.
Students, tasks, scores and averages may be automatically transferred to
new classes or summary classes.

  GRADEBOOK will work with any printer (optional) that is supported by
Microsoft Windows.  Full font support is provided for Window's printer and
screen fonts.  GRADEBOOK may easily be interfaced with other programs.
Student names and ID numbers may be imported from ASCII files.  Student
names and ID numbers, score lists, attendance lists and grade lists may be
exported to ASCII files.  In addition GRADEBOOK allows you to use the
Windows clipboard to import and export GRADEBOOK data and charts to other
Windows applications.  You may copy term lists, class lists, student lists,
score lists, attendance lists, score distributions, grade lists, grade
distributions, interim weight reports and required final scores using the
clipboard to programs such as Excel and Word for Windows.  The score
distribution charts and grade distribution charts may also be copied into
other applications.  Scores and attendance may also be copied from other
programs using the clipboard.

  GRADEBOOK includes commands for easily backing up and restoring your
student data for extra security.  It may be used to generate statistics for
an entire department or school.  GRADEBOOK will keep its data files on the
hard disk, or if you prefer, it will keep your data files on floppy disks
for added security.  An optional password may be used.  GRADEBOOK allows
the data files to be kept in separate subdirectories if several instructors
must share one computer.

System Requirements:

  GRADEBOOK requires Windows version 3.0 or later running in standard or
enhanced mode.  Microsoft recommends at least a 10Mhz 80286 computer with 2
MB of memory for running Windows applications.  GRADEBOOK requires 768 K of
extended memory.  Because memory is usually added in .5 MB or 1 MB or 2 MB
increments, this requires a computer with 2 MB of memory installed.
Windows 3.0 may operate in three modes, real, standard or enhanced.  Real
mode is the only mode available for computers with less than 1 megabyte of
memory (640K conventional, 256K extended).  Enhanced mode requires at least
1024 K of extended memory and a 386 or 486 computer.  You may determine
what mode Windows is operating in by clicking on Help from the program
manager and then clicking on About.  Please refer to your Windows manual
for more information on how to change modes.  Note that in version 3.0 of
Windows it is possible to start Windows when Windows is already running.
If you start Windows and then double click the DOS icon, you are returned
to the DOS prompt.  Typing WIN to start Windows from the DOS prompt will
then start a second instance of Windows.  Even though the first instance of
Windows was in standard mode, the second instance of Windows will start in
real mode.  The correct way to return to Windows from the DOS prompt is by
typing EXIT.  If you get an error message saying that this program needs
Windows in standard or enhanced mode you need to restart Windows in the
correct mode.

Shareware Information:

  GRADEBOOK is a shareware program.  You can think of shareware as try
before you buy software.  It is not free software or public domain
software.  If you like the program and use it for more than a 30 day trial
period, you must register the program by sending in payment with the
registration form, by calling 800-242-4775 and ordering item number 10763
by credit card or by registering program ID number 685 on CompuServe (GO
SWREG).  A registered copy of this program is required for each computer
operating the program simultaneously whether the computer stands alone or
is on a network.  The shareware version of GRADEBOOK has all the features
and capabilities of the registered program.  You may make and distribute
copies to others and are encouraged to do so.  You should distribute the
self extracting GB.EXE file which is a compressed file containing the
GRADEBOOK distribution files.  You may also distribute the GB.ZIP file
which requires a program such as PKUNZIP to decompress the files.  These
file names may be followed by the program version number such as GB203.EXE
or GB203.ZIP.

  GRADEBOOK is continuously being revised to incorporate user suggestions.
Please let the author know of any improvements or features that you would
like to see in the program.  Low cost disk updates or review copies
(includes install program and VBRUN300.DLL) are available for $3.00 to both
registered and unregistered users directly from the author.  Unregistered
users may deduct the $3.00 if they later register the program.  The latest
unregistered version of the program may be obtained and downloaded from the
Edforum or WinShare forum on Compuserve (file GB.EXE).  It is usually less
expensive to order a copy from the author than it is to download it.

  In an effort to make it easier for you to obtain your favorite software,
the latest updates of many ASP authored programs can be found on the BBSs
listed below.  These BBSs are members of the ASP Hub Network (AHN).

Zone 1 - East Coast USA

     North-East Coast                      Mid-East Coast

[Site #1]                             [Site #2]
     The Consultant BBS                    The Break RBBS <East>
     Jay Caplan                            Bruce Jackson
     P.O. Box 8571                         4660 Whitaker PL
     New York NY 10116-4655                Dale City, VA 22193-3011
     Data1) 718-837-3236                   Data1) 703-680-9269
     Data2)                                Data2) 703-551-0000

Zone 2 - North Mid-USA               Zone 3 - Southern Mid-USA

[Site #3]                             [Site #4]
     The Twilight Zone                     The DataExchange BBS
     John Hrusovszky                       Don Morris
     1119 E. Main St                       119 Herring St.
     Auburndale, WI 54412                  Leesville, LA 71446
     Data1) 715-652-2758                   Data1) 318-239-2122
     Data2)                                Data2)

Zone 4 - West Coast USA

[Site #5]                            [Site #6]
     Attention to Details BBS             Space BBS
     Clint Bradford                       Owen Hawkins
     5085 Trail Canyon Dr                 PO Box X
     Mira Loma CA 91752                   Menlo Park, CA 94026
     Data1) 909-681-6221                  Data1) 415-323-4398 (ASP Files)
     Data2)                               Data2) 415-323-4193 (Other Files)

Zone 5 - Canada

[Site #7]
     Knightec BBS
     Phil Knight
     35 Robb Blvd #6
     Orangeville, ONT L9W 3L1
     Data1) 519-940-0007
     Data2)

  These BBSs are bound by special agreement with the ASP.  In the case of a
dispute contact the ASP Omsbudsman.

  Although the unregistered version is fully functional, there are several
advantages to registering the program.

1.  Registered users may obtain program support directly from the author.
Please contact the author at the following address.

       Russell Stevens
       5191 Pine Grove Dr.
       Spruce, MI 48762

  Telephone support is available by request (517-727-2066).  Comments and
suggestions are welcome.  If you have a problem with the software, report
what you did (the steps or procedures you followed) leading up to the
problem.  Also report the exact error message, if one appeared and any
pertinent information about your hardware or software configuration.  You
may also contact the author by leaving a message on CompuServe to Russell
Stevens, 70150,323.  The latest unregistered version of the program may be
downloaded from the Edforum or WinShare forum on CompuServe (file GB.EXE).
Registered users may obtain a registered version of any future update to
the program for $3.00.  User manual updates are also available.

Additional support is available by request for customized program features,
user training, interfacing with other programs and system wide data
collection and analysis.

2.  Registered users receive a 140 page bound, laser printed, illustrated
and indexed user manual and the latest program version.  The manual
includes an extensive tutorial to help get proficient at using the program.
The manual also includes samples of all the different types of reports and
charts that may be generated by the program and by the supplied Word for
Windows and Excel macros and Works worksheet.

3.  The unregistered version starts up with a copyright notice (nag screen)
stating that it is an unregistered copy.  This notice will stay on screen
for a few seconds or you may press any key to bypass it.  Registered
versions of the program contain your name in the copyright notice.  The
"Unregistered Copy" watermark note on some of the printouts does not appear
in registered versions of the program.

4.  Registered users receive a collection of Word for Windows and Excel
templates, macros and workbooks which allow custom reports to be
automatically generated from GRADEBOOK data.  Word for Windows may be used
to reformat grade and score lists to include a large number of tasks on a
single page in either a horizontal or vertical layout.  Teacher notes and
graphics such as grade and score distribution charts may also be included.
The charts may be pasted, linked or embedded and may be further modified
using Microsoft Draw.  The user may modify styles as desired.  The Excel
workbook can also be used to reformat GRADEBOOK reports and to prepare
grade and score distribution charts using any of the Excel chart formats
such as exploded pie charts, 3-D charts, overlaid frequency and cumulative
frequency charts, etc.  Raw GRADEBOOK score data may be extensively
analyzed using the Analysis ToolPak.  An Excel worksheet is also furnished
that will track various types of attendance and calculate an attendance
score that may be copied into GRADEBOOK.  Requires Word for Windows version
2.0, Excel version 4.0 and 4 MB (recommended).  A Works for Windows
worksheet is also included for attendance tracking.  All macros may be
modified by the user if desired.

5.  Registered users may purchase the GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT program described
below.

6.  The program author appreciates and needs the support to continue
improving the program.

  You may register the program by sending in the registration form with a
check for $34.  You may print out a registration form by selecting Help
from the GRADEBOOK menu bar and then selecting Registration.  Educational
system purchase orders are accepted.  To order by credit card (MC, Visa,
AmEx, or Discover) call 800-242-4775 (item # 10763).  This number is for
ordering only.  Contact the program author for order status, latest
available version, technical information or return authorizations.  You may
also register on CompuServe (GO SWREG) by ordering program ID number 685.

The GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT program:

    Registered users of GRADEBOOK for Windows may purchase the GRADEBOOK
ASSISTANT program.  GRADEBOOK for Windows will satisfy the grading
requirements of most teachers.  However, the GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT program is
ideal if you need the ability to customize reports, include multiple class
or subject information on a single report, generate report cards, prepare
mailing labels, create phone lists, create seating charts, create form
letters, prepare reusable lesson plans with class calendar schedules,
automatically generate tests, and the ability to track a large amount of
student information on a school or department wide basis.

    The GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT program generates a Microsoft Access relational
database of all your GRADEBOOK for Windows data.  The database contains
tables for classes, students, tasks, scores, grades, attendance, attendance
scores, and miscellaneous student data.  A separate database is generated
for lesson plans and test questions.  Numerous reports are supplied with
the program in various formats for doing class lists, student lists, task
lists, score lists, grade lists, attendance lists, address lists, mailing
labels, phone lists, student school data, student parent data,  user
specified student data, incomplete assignments, tests and answer sheets,
and report cards.  In addition to the normal field types such as parent
names, addresses, phone numbers, age, etc., you may also specify and record
user defined data fields.

    Teacher notes for student reports may be input or modified separately
for each student prior to printing reports.  Seating charts may be easily
prepared by dragging and dropping students to the desired location.  Lesson
plans may be prepared by subject and easily reused from term to term.
After entering your class schedule by clicking dates on a calendar, each
lesson is assigned a date and time.  Since the number of classes may vary
from term to term, you may easily insert, delete or rearrange lesson plans.
Different formats are available, including weekly, multiple subject,
calendar summaries.  Test questions and answers may include a graphic and
may be arbitrarily selected.

    When printing or print previewing reports, you may select the desired
classes and students to be included.  The reports may be exported in a
variety of formats for use in other programs.  The reports may contain
different fonts, font sizes, and use boldfacing, italics and underlining.
Lines, boxes, shading, drop shadows and logos may be incorporated.  If one
of the supplied reports does not satisfy your requirements, the program
author can prepare a report based on your specifications for a nominal
charge.  Alternatively, you may modify one of the existing reports or
prepare your own custom reports using Microsoft Access or Crystal Reports
(not supplied).  Reports may be prepared simply by dragging the desired
database fields to the report and setting the various properties.  Reports
that are prepared or modified using Crystal Reports, may be easily
installed and used by the GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT program.

    The GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT and GRADEBOOK for Windows may also be used on a
school or department wide basis.  All the classes may be set up on a master
computer (not required).  The students may be manually input or use a
student list generated from another computer or program.  A floppy disk
containing each instructor's classes may then be generated.  This disk may
be used by the instructor to automatically enter his classes and students.
At the end of a period, each instructor may turn in a floppy with their
student data for use by the master computer.  School or department wide
reports may then be generated.  Report cards which contain all the grades
for all the subjects for each student may be easily prepared.  It is not
required that all or any of the instructors use GRADEBOOK for Windows in
order to generate school wide reports.  Elementary teachers who teach
several subjects can prepare progress reports which contain all the
subjects even if they use a separate class for each subject.

    In addition to being able to use Microsoft Access to prepare custom
reports, you may use it to easily interface with or connect to other
database programs.  You may interface with Btrieve, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox
and ODBC databases such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle.  You may also
export selected fields to a merge file.  This allows form letters to be
easily generated using programs such as Word for Windows.  Form letters for
progress reports, report cards, school announcements, etc., may be prepared
for any set of classes or students.

    The GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT has extensive on-line help and comes with a
printed manual.  The manual includes a tutorial, a detailed description of
the database design, samples of all the included reports, and sample form
letters.  Microsoft Access or Crystal Reports may be used to generate
custom reports but are not required.  Custom reports may also be generated
using a word processor's data merge capability.

    A 486 computer with at least 4 MB and Windows version 3.1 is recommended
for the GRADEBOOK ASSISTANT.  It will be available to registered users in
October 1993.  Pricing will be announced.

Automatic Installation (if SETUP.EXE is included):

  First start Windows in standard or enhanced mode.  Place the GRADEBOOK
distribution disk in drive A or B as appropriate.  From the Windows program
manager, click on File and then click on Run.  Type in A:SETUP (or B:SETUP)
and then press the <Enter> key.  You may revise the default subdirectory
C:\GRADEBKW if desired.  The install program will create the subdirectory
if required and copy all the necessary files to it.  The install program
will not modify your CONFIG or AUTOEXEC files.  The install program will
add a GradeBook group window to the program manager and will install the
GRADEBOOK icon in this group.  You may then drag the icon to another group
if you desire and delete the GradeBook group.  To run the GRADEBOOK
program, just double click its icon from the Windows program manager.
Additional information on how to use a command line parameter to store your
data on a floppy or separate subdirectory may be found in the manual or in
the on-line help.

Manual Installation:

  The shareware version of GRADEBOOK is contained in a compressed file
named GB.EXE or GB.ZIP.  The file may also be named GBxxx.EXE or GBxxx.ZIP
where xxx designates the version number.  It may be downloaded with a modem
or supplied on a floppy disk.  To minimize download time and disk space the
shareware version of GRADEBOOK may not include the automatic install
program or the Visual Basic dynamic link library VBRUN300.DLL.  This file
is available on most bulletin boards and may be downloaded separately if
you do not already have a copy.  It may also be found on the WINFUN or
WINSHARE forums (library 1) on CompuServe.  Copy the GB.EXE or GB.ZIP file
to a separate subdirectory on your hard disk such as \GRADEBKW.  The GB.EXE
file is a self extracting file.  Extract the GRADEBOOK files by running the
GB.EXE file from the DOS prompt by typing GB.  If you have the GB.ZIP file,
decompress the files using a program such as PKUNZIP.  The following files
should be included in your copy of GRADEBOOK:

  GRADEBK.EXE       GRADEBOOK executable program
  GRADEBK.HLP       GRADEBOOK on-line help file
  FA90_1.DAT        Sample class file
  FA90_1.ATD        Sample attendance file
  README.DOC        This file
  NOTE.TXT          Sample teacher note
  VENDOR.DOC        Vendor information file
  FILE_ID.DIZ       BBS ID file
  GRID.VBX          Grid interface dynamic link library

  You also need to copy the GRID.VBX and VBRUN300.DLL files to your
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory if you have not previously installed them.
The GB.EXE or GB.ZIP file may be deleted after the files are extracted.
Then start Windows in standard or enhanced mode.  You may then use the
Windows program manager and manually add the program to a group such as the
Windows applications group.  To run the GRADEBOOK program, just double
click its icon from the Windows program manager.  Additional information on
how to use a command line parameter to store your data on a floppy or
separate subdirectory may be found in the manual or in the on-line help.

How to Use the Program:

  GRADEBOOK has extensive on-line help.  You may press the F1 key in any
dialog box or window to get context sensitive help.  You may also press the
Shift-F1 key combination to get help on any menu command.  You may also
select the Help Index, Help Commands or Help Using Help menu commands.

  The retail version of GRADEBOOK includes an extensive tutorial.  However,
the following is a description of the basic program steps needed to start
using GRADEBOOK.

  After installing GRADEBOOK you should be able to start the program by
double clicking the program icon.  The program will start with an empty
main window displayed.  The title of the main window will display the
currently selected term and class.  If there are no classes for the current
term the title bar will say "No Classes".  If you have not used GRADEBOOK
previously the current term will be the current season of the current year
such as Winter 1992.  You should first select the term that you want to use
by clicking on the Term Select menu.  Term names may be customized if you
do not use seasonal terms.

  After selecting the term, you may add a class using the Class Add menu.
You may then indicate if you want to use plus and minus grades and whether
you want to blank incomplete scores.  More grading options are available
from the Grades, Custom Grades menu.  Incomplete scores are usually printed
with an "NA".  If you use the blank option you can print out reports that
you may use as data entry forms (blank gradebooks).  You may also indicate
the distribution spacing you want to use for score distributions.  If you
grade on a straight curve, you will not need to do score distributions.  If
you adjust your grading curve based on student results (you want 10% A's,
15% B's, etc.) you can set the spacing as desired.  If you are using plus
and minus grades or a system with a larger number of cutoff points, you
will need to use a finer spacing than if you are using straight letter
grades.  This data may be revised at any time.  If you have previous
classes, you can automatically add the students from a previous class to
the new class.  You may also use any previous class as a task template if
you want all the tasks and existing grading criteria to be automatically
entered.

  After adding a class, you may then add students to the class by selecting
the Student Add menu.  The only required entry is the last name.  You may
add students in any order.  You may alphabetize or reorder the students by
selecting the Student Reorder menu.  A student list may also be imported if
you have an ASCII file available containing their names.

  After adding students, you may add tasks using the Task Add menu.  You
may add the tasks as you go or add them all at the beginning of the term.
If you plan on isssuing progress reports during the term, it is simpler to
add the tasks as they are completed instead of adding them all at the
beginning of the term.  For each task, you enter the task name, its
category type, and its perfect score.  In addition, if you are using total
points or total points with category weights, you may enter an individual
task weight.  A 300 point task has the same weight as a 100 point task with
an individual task weight of 3.  You may locate the task in any position -
normally new tasks would be the last task.  There are 10 task categories.
You may redefine all of them from the Misc Category Name menu except for
the extra credit task category.  Custom tasks may be added which are the
highest of, sum of, average of, weighted average of, lowest of, difference
of, total NC, total NA or category average of existing tasks.

  After a task has been added, you may add scores for that task using the
Score Add menu.  The add scores dialog box has been designed to minimize
the keystrokes required to enter scores.  The Score, Edit menu may also be
used to add and edit scores if you prefer a spreadsheet grid type
interface.  Some instructors prefer to sort their papers or to record the
scores on a sorted list prior to entering the data into GRADEBOOK.  The
sorted list may be a regular gradebook or a data entry form that you have
printed from GRADEBOOK using the Class, Print Data Form menu.  If you are
entering sorted scores, very few keystrokes are required.  The Random Entry
Check Box should not be checked when entering sorted scores.  The default
student shown in the Student List Box is the first student.  The Score Edit
Box shows the existing score for the student highlighted in the Student
List Box.  Just Press the Tab key to shift the focus to the Score Edit Box
and enter the score for the first student.  Since the Add Button is the
default key, just press the Enter key to enter the score for the first
student.  The focus will stay at the Score Edit Box and the highlighted
student will automatically increment to the next student in the list.
Enter the next score and press the Enter key or just press the Enter key to
skip the student.

  Some instructors find that sorting the papers or recording the scores on
a sorted list prior to entering the data into GRADEBOOK is not worth the
extra effort.  GRADEBOOK allows you to quickly locate a student by entering
in a search string.  The first letter of the search string would be the
first letter of the student's last name.  If there is only one student
whose last name begins with that letter, GRADEBOOK narrows the search to
that student.  If several students have a last name that begin with the
same letter, just enter the next letter of the last name to narrow the
search.  You may continue until the desired student is located.

  To use this method, first check the Random Entry Check Box and then pick
the desired task from the Task To Add Score To List Box.  Then start
entering the search string for the first student.  The search string is
listed after the Search Text Label.  As you enter the search string, the
highlight in the Student List Box will shift to the first student that
matches the search string.  If it is the desired student, press the Tab key
and enter the score.  If not, enter the next letter of the search string.
If you enter a search string for which there is no match, the Search Text
will not be revised.  If you enter an incorrect search string, you may use
the Backspace key to correct it.  When you enter a score by clicking the
Add Button or by pressing the Enter key, the Search Text will be reset.
The Search Text will also be reset if you click on a student in the Student
List Box.

  You may also just use the Student List Box to select the student
directly.  Click the down arrow to drop down the list box, use the scroll
bar controls to locate the student and then click on the desired student.
The cursor control keys may also be used to locate the student.  The one
student, several tasks option may be used if you want to enter several
scores for just one student instead of one score for several students.

  Fractional scores such as 82.37 are permitted.  You may also enter "NA"
for a score.  It is not necessary to enter "0" for incomplete scores.  The
GRADEBOOK program will treat "NA" scores as zero scores if you have elected
that option on the Misc Category Weights menu.  You may also enter letter
grades instead of scores.  You may choose to have the program automatically
use the grading curve midpoints or may assign grade input equivalents using
the Grade, Input Equivalents menu.  You may also enter "NC" (not counted)
scores for students that have joined the class late or who have an excused
absence.

  You next need to input your grading method using the Misc Final Category
Weights menu.  You may use the total points method,the category weights
method or the total points with category weights method.  If you use the
total points method you do not have to enter category weights.  Relative
weights are then based on the perfect scores (points) assigned to each task
times the individual weight for each task.  The term average is determined
by summing the individual scores except for discarded and not counted
scores, dividing by the total perfect score and then adding on the extra
credit.  The total perfect score would not include discarded or not counted
scores.  Extra credit may have a weight when using the total point method
or may be calculated normally where its weight is determined only by the
points of the extra credit.

  Incomplete scores may be treated as zeros or incomplete.  If treated as
zeros, they are included in score distributions and grade distributions.
If you want to know what the distribution of scores is without including
the incomplete scores (to prevent skewing the average lower) you can select
the Treat Incomplete option.

  If you use the category weights method, the term average is determined by
averaging the percent scores for all tasks in a category except for
discarded and not counted scores, and then adjusting each category by its
category weight.  Extra credit is then added.  The task weights, except for
extra credit, must add up to 100%.

  If you use the total points with category weights method, each category
average is determined using total points and the overall average is
calculated by averaging the category averages with the category weights.

  The final category weights dialog box is used to enter the task weights
you want to be in effect at the end of the term after you have entered
scores for all the tasks.  However, if you are printing a progress report
in the middle of a term, all the tasks will not yet be entered.  For
example, you may want the final to be weighted at 20% at the end of the
term, but you will not have a final score available in mid term.  The final
category weights need to be adjusted when doing a progress report.  You can
do this using the Misc Interim Category Weights menu.

  You may select the number of tasks you want to include using the Misc
Selected Task menu.  You may calculate grades and do grade and score
distributions for a single task or for all the tasks.  If you select all
tasks you may specify how many of each task type you want to discard.  The
Misc Grading Curve menu is used to adjust your grading curve.  You may use
the Score Distribution and Grade Distribution menus to calculate
distributions.  Distributions may be plotted after they are calculated
using the Score Chart and Grade Chart Options.  Scores and grades may be
printed using the Score List and Grade List menus.  You may exclude the
letter grades if you use averages for grades instead of letter grades.  You
may print individual or instructor summary reports.  If printing individual
summaries, you may select the one page per student option and include
teacher notes.  You may combine several period classes into a single
overall term class using the Score, Add Previous Average menu.

  Additional information on the above topics and other program features may
be found in the on-line help.

Common Questions:

1.  May I run GRADEBOOK without installing it on my hard disk?

    GRADEBOOK may be run completely from a high density (1.2MB or 1.44MB)
floppy disk.  The disk needs the GRADEBK.EXE, GRADEBK.HLP, GRID.VBX and
VBRUN300.DLL files.  The program will also keep its data files on the
floppy.  Operating GRADEBOOK in this manner will noticeably slow the
program down due to the frequent disk accesses required.  If all you want
to do is keep your data on a floppy for security purposes, you should run
GRADEBOOK from the hard disk but start it with a command line parameter so
that only your data is stored on the floppy.  The GRID.VBX and VBRUN300.DLL
files are not required on the floppy if they are in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
subdirectory or in your DOS PATH.

2.  I have other Visual Basic applications already installed.  Do I need to
install the Visual Basic dynamic link library?

    If you currently have the Visual Basic dynamic link library
VBRUN300.DLL installed in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM subdirectory or in a
subdirectory that is included in your DOS PATH, you do not need to install
the Visual Basic dynamic link library.  You only need one copy of the
library installed on your hard disk.

3.  May GRADEBOOK be installed on top of itself?

    Yes.  You may install GRADEBOOK on top of itself by replacing all the
distribution files.  You may need to do this if you have a new program
revision.  Reinstalling the GRADEBOOK distribution files will not delete or
alter any of your existing class data.

4.  What must be done to remove the GRADEBOOK program?

    Delete all the files in your \GRADEBKW subdirectory and then remove the
subdirectory.  If you have no other Visual Basic applications, you may also
delete the GRID.VBX and VBRUN300.DLL files from your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM
subdirectory.  If you have existing class files you may use the File,
Backup command in GRADEBOOK to make a backup copy of your existing classes
before you delete the program.

5.  My computer has 2 MB of memory but when I start GRADEBOOK I get a UAE
(unrecoverable application error) or an out of memory error message?

    You have enough memory installed but it may not all be available for
Windows applications.  If you have reserved some memory for a ram disk or
for use as expanded instead of extended memory, it will not be available to
Windows.  Revise your CONFIG.SYS file to make more memory available to
Windows.  You can determine your free memory by clicking on Help and then
clicking on About from the Windows program manager.  Windows should report
at least 600 K of free memory prior to starting GRADEBOOK.  You may
determine how much memory GRADEBOOK requires by starting GRADEBOOK and then
clicking on Help and then clicking About to see how much memory is free
after loading GRADEBOOK.

6.  How do I use the supplied sample file?

    The sample class file is named FA90_1.DAT.  To make this the default
class, first do a Term, Select and select the Fall 1990 term.  Then do a
Class, Select and select the Physics 121 - College Physics M, W, F @ 2:00
PM class.