_____________________________ Easy Gradebook User's Manual Version 1.3 _____________________________ Copyright (C) 1992 Randall W. Jenkins Anne Buchholz Jenkins All Rights Reserved Table of Contents: Chapter 1. ...... Introduction Chapter 2. ...... Getting started Chapter 3. ...... Using Easy GradeBook Chapter 4. ...... EGB Files Chapter 5. ...... The EGB Editor Chapter 6. ...... Printing Files Chapter 7. ...... Grade Options Chapter 8. ...... Error Messages Chapter 9. ...... Glossary Chapter 10. ..... Appendix - Quick reference ----------------------------- CHAPTER ONE * INTRODUCTION ----------------------------- Easy GradeBook provides the ability to store a class list and grades. Easy GradeBook automatically calculates student averages for the scores input into the program. This program is easy to use and provides an excellent productivity tool for the overworked teacher. Features: Class list size of 40 students and up to 48 grade entries per student. Optional alphabetizing of the class list. Calculation of the average, and optional calculation of the standard deviation of a given grade list. Calculation of individual averages for each student. Grades displayed in familiar grade book format. Weighting of the grades so that tests and quizzes will not have the same impact on a students average. Printing of just the class list or the class list with grades and averages. Detailed description of each class grade entry. Grade entry in either percentage correct format, letter grade format, or in a points correct format. If points correct is selected, the Easy GradeBook automatically calculates the percentage correct. Configurable score display in letter grade or percentage correct. Definition of Shareware: Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of Easy GradeBook must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "Easy GradeBook is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of Easy GradeBook." Easy GradeBook is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using Easy GradeBook and continue to use Easy GradeBook after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $ 25.00 USD to Randall W. Jenkins. The $ 25.00 USD registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time. Commercial users of Easy GradeBook must register and pay for their copies of Easy GradeBook within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Randall W. Jenkins. Anyone distributing Easy GradeBook for any kind of remuneration must first contact Randall W. Jenkins at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering Easy GradeBook immediately (However Randall W. Jenkins must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to- date with the latest version of Easy GradeBook.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of Easy GradeBook along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the Easy GradeBook system. Send your completed registration form to: Randall W. Jenkins 1800 Viking Ave. Orrville, Ohio 44667 Compuserve: [72130,1730] About this manual: Because Easy GradeBook is such an easy program to use, you might not need much more information. But, if you do, this manual provides instruction on every feature of Easy GradeBook. This manual is organized as follows: Chapter 1 - Introduction, provides an overview of the product and its features. Chapter 2 - Getting started, provides information on how to install and begin using Easy GradeBook. Chapter 3 - Using Easy Grade, shows basic instruction on file organization and a brief tutorial on using the Easy GradeBook. Chapter 4 - File Menu provides instruction on how to load and save files containing class list and grade information. Chapter 5 - Print Menu Shows Easy GradeBook print file options. Chapter 6 - Options Menu Shows how to select grade options and how each option performs. Chapter 7 - Error Messages, Shoes the error messages and the cause and appropriate action. Chapter 8 - Glossary, list of terms and their meaning. Chapter 9 - Quick Reference to the Key assignments that control Easy GradeBook functions. ------------------------------- CHAPTER TWO * GETTING STARTED ------------------------------- Back up copy: Before installing the program, it is a good idea to make a backup copy of the program diskette. To do this, simply copy the files specified below to a formatted floppy diskette. Easy GradeBook consists of the following files: EGB.EXE (EGBUR.EXE) Program File (Unregistered Program File) EGB.DOC Documentation File REGISTER.TXT Registration Form System Requirements: 256K bytes of memory. DOS 2.1 or higher. 100% compatible PC. Installing Easy GradeBook: Once you have made a backup copy, use the backup copy to load the program or if your system has a fixed disk, copy the contents of the backup disk to a selected directory on the fixed disk. At the DOS prompt C:\EGB> , type EGB, then press enter. You should see the Easy GradeBook welcome screen. Press any key to continue. At this point you should see the Easy GradeBook editor screen. There are 8 grades per page and six pages. The class list is displayed on every page. To get started entering your class list and grades, use the cursor keys to position the cursor and type in your entries starting at the appropriate columns. The Easy GradeBook is arranged like a book. The grades are displayed in pages. The current page number is displayed in the top left hand corner of the edit screen display. The class list and student averages are displayed on every page. The page will change automatically if you move the cursor to the right when the cursor is positioned in the g8 grade column. -------------------------------------- CHAPTER THREE * USING EASY GRADEBOOK -------------------------------------- The Easy GradeBook program was designed to be very easy to use. It offers the type of user interface that will let a first time user be a productive user of the program. The user interface features include: * A single keystroke pull-down menu driven interface. * Simple editing features that are easy to learn. * Interactive help when using the Options screen. * Intuitive user interface layout. The first thing to do when starting a new EGB file is to enter the class list in the editing mode. When the entire class list has entered, it can be alphabetized by pressing the F3 Function key and selecting Alphabetize from the pull- down menu. After the class list is complete, enter the grades by moving the flashing cursor to the grade columns marked g1 through g8 (Page 1). To move the cursor, use the arrow keys. Type to put Easy GradeBook to data entry mode or start typing the grade that is to be entered at the current grade column. Type in the percentage correct for a given score. For example, If a student missed 5 points on a 20 point test, type 75 in the row and column assigned to that particular student and the grade column for the test. If the grade option for a grade column is set to enter letter grades or points correct, then a letter grade or the points correct (out of the total) would be entered for that grade column. If statistical analysis, or any other option is required, simply press the F3 Function key. Select GRADE OPTIONS from the pull-down menu. The options screen will be displayed, and the interactive help will guide you through. See Chapter 7 for more information on Grade Options. After all editing has been done, the grades can be saved to disk by pressing the F1 Function key and selecting SAVE AS from the menu. To exit Easy GradeBook when done, press the F5 Function key. ------------------------------------- CHAPTER FOUR * EASY GRADEBOOK FILES ------------------------------------- Easy GradeBook uses a method to save the grade files that categorizes the grade files by subject (ie. Spelling, Science, etc.), by grading period and by a class identifier or class name. This method allows for support of multiple classes and multiple subjects during any particular grading period. This method also supports multiple classes with the same subject. Easy GradeBook provides up to eight grading periods during a school year. Saving Grade Files: After the class list and the grades have been entered for a class, press the F1 Function Key. You will see a pulldown menu. Select SAVE AS by pressing the down arrow until SAVE AS is highlighted and then press . EGB will prompt you for a subject associated with this class list. Any subject, up to eight characters in length, may be entered. Typical examples might be "Spelling", "Language", "Science", "General", etc. At this point, EGB prompts you to enter a grading period by typing a number between 1 and 8 (inclusive), and then pressing the key. Next you must enter the class to which the grades are associated. For example, Homeroom, Period# (where # represents the class period), Jones6 (Mr. or Mrs. Jones 6 Grade Class), etc. Once this information is entered, EGB saves the class grades on the disk. If you are using a floppy system, you must insert the floppy prior to the preceding steps, otherwise an error will occur during this procedure. Loading Grade Files: This sequence of steps is essentially identical to those required to save a grade file. First, press the F1 Function Key. You will see a pulldown menu. Select LOAD FILE by pressing the down arrow until LOAD FILE is highlighted and then press . EGB will prompt you for a subject associated with this class list. Any subject, up to eight characters in length, may be entered. Typical examples might be "Spelling", "Language", "Science", "General", etc. If you have not previously saved a grade file using a specific subject, an error will occur if you try to load that specific subject. At this point, EGB prompts you to enter a grading period by typing a number between 1 and 8 (inclusive), and then pressing the key. Next you must enter the class to which the grades are associated. For example, Homeroom, Period# (where # represents the class period), Jones6 (Mr. or Mrs. Jones 6 Grade Class), etc. Once this information is entered, EGB loads the class grades on the disk. If you are using a floppy system, be sure to insert the floppy prior to the preceding steps, otherwise an error will occur during this procedure. ------------------------------- CHAPTER FIVE * THE EGB EDITOR ------------------------------- The EGB editor is a simple, easy to use editor. You simply position the flashing cursor using the cursor keys, press the key and type in the appropriate entry at the appropriate column. For automatic fast entry, just start typing the input data, the key need not be pressed first. The Grade entries must be in either percentage correct, points missed, or letter grade format. The EGB grade entries default to percentage correct. To change a grade column to points missed mode, or letter grade mode you must use the Grade Options screen. See chapter 7 for more information regarding grade options. If you make a mistake when entering a name or a grade, use the Backspace key to return to the position of the error and type the correct entry. After editing a class list, if you wish to alphabetize the list, press the F3 Function key and select Alphabetize form the menu by pressing the down arrow until Alphabetize is highlighted and then press the key. The Easy GradeBook will alphabetize the list and display the list on the screen. If you wish to clear all grades and keep the current names in the class list. Select New File from the F1 - Files Menu. Easy GradeBook will prompt you to keep the current class list. If you respond "Y" then Easy GradeBook will clear the entered grades and averages and set the current file to . ---------------------------------- CHAPTER SIX * PRINTING EGB FILES ---------------------------------- The Easy GradeBook has a printing feature that allows you to make a hard copy of just the class list or of the class list and associated grades and averages. To print a class list, you must first type in the class list information or load the information from a disk. Once this has been accomplished, press the F2 Function Key. Use the arrow keys to highlight the Printer Port selection and then press the key. EGB will prompt you to select a printer port, LPT1, LPT2, LPT3, or COM2. You only have to select a printer the first time you edit an EGB file. EGB will remember the setup after the first time. Once the printer setup is complete, press the F2 Function key and use the arrow keys to select Printer Type form the menu. A list of available printers will be displayed. Select the printer from the list that best matches the type of printer you have. You only have to make a printer selection once. Easy GradeBook remembers the printer you selected. If you change printers after setting a particular printer, then you must redefine your printer type using the procedure above. To print your class list or grades, first press the F2 Function Key and then use the arrow keys to select the type of output desired. You can print only the class list, or you can print the entire class list and grade entries. ------------------------------- CHAPTER SEVEN * GRADE OPTIONS ------------------------------- The Easy GradeBook has several optional features that can be invoked to make the job of tracking and entering scores an easier one. To enter the Grade option menu, press the F3 Function key and select the Grade Options menu item by highlighting pressing the key when the Grade Options selection is highlighted. You should then see the Option screen. The Grade number corresponds to the grade column represented by g1 - g48 seen when editing grades. Select an appropriate grade number by pressing the space bar. Once a grade number has been selected, use the cursor keys to move the blinking cursor to the desired Grade Option. A description of each option follows: Entry: Grade number Valid Range: g1 - g48. Description: The grade number corresponds to the grade columns found when editing grades. To change: Use the space bar. Default: g1 or current grade column. Entry: weight Valid Range: 0.25 to 8. Description: Allows for different weighting of grade columns in calculating student averages. To change: Use the space bar. Default: 1. Entry: Description Valid Range: Text only. Description: This space is allotted so that a description of each grade column can be entered. To change: Move cursor to the Description row, type in the entry. Default: nil. Entry: Statistical Analysis Valid Range: ON or OFF. Description: This turns on the calculation of the weighted standard deviation for the selected grade column. To change: Press the space bar. Default: OFF. Entry: Entry type Valid Range: Percentage Correct, Points Missed, or Letter Grade. Description: This entry allows the selection of an entry mode for the selected grade column. If Percentage correct is selected then the grades for the entire column must be entered in the percentage correct format. If Points Missed is selected, then enter the points incorrect in the appropriate column of the edit screen. To change: Press the space bar. Default: Percentage Correct. Entry: Total Points Valid Range: 1 to 999, or N/A. Description: This entry is only valid if the Point Missed Entry type is selected. This allows for an entry of the total points for scoring the entry. To Change: Use the numeric keys. Default: Not applicable. -------------------------------- CHAPTER EIGHT * ERROR MESSAGES -------------------------------- Easy GradeBook provides error messages when in cannot perform a command due to errors in specifying data or device problems. The error messages are as follows: Printer not connected - Check the printer to make sure it is connected and the power switch is turned on. Printer out of paper - Reload the printer with paper and print the document. Path not found - Easy GradeBook was directed to load or save a file, and the directory or directories in the path were not found or were specified incorrectly. Printer failure - General printer failure detected. Check printer to insure proper operation. Disk full - Easy GradeBook was directed to save a file on a diskette or fixed disk and there was no room for the file on the media. Drive not ready - Easy GradeBook was asked to load or save a file on a diskette not properly inserted in the disk drive. Check the disk drive to insure proper operation. ------------------------- CHAPTER NINE * GLOSSARY ------------------------- Class list - The list of students in the class stored by the Easy Grade. Diskette - Magnetic media used to store computer data. DOS - Disk Operating System. Editor screen - The entry screen used to enter the class list and associated grades. Grade number - Corresponds to the grade columns used to display the Easy GradeBook grades. Options screen - The entry screen used to select the grade column options. Page - The current displayed grade page in the Easy GradeBook. Percentage Correct format - An entry format option selected at the Options screen. Points Missed format - An entry format option selected at the Options screen. Statistical Analysis - An operational option selected in the Options screen. ------------------------------- CHAPTER TEN * QUICK REFERENCE ------------------------------- Quick Reference to Key assignments Function Keys: F1 - File Menu, used to load and save Easy GradeBook files. F2 - Print Menu, used for printer setup, and printing EGB Files. F3 - Set or view grade options, and Display Options. F4 - Display calender of current month. F5 - Exit Easy GradeBook to DOS. Cursor Control Keys: up arrow - moves cursor up. down arrow - moves cursor down. right arrow - moves cursor to the right or to next Easy Grade Book page. left arrow - moves cursor to the left or to previous Easy GradeBook page.