Regrading by Another

[chysch]

If an assigned grader grades a VPL assignment no one else can modify the grade.

This can be a problem if someone is paid to grade homework and a student appeals to the lecturer who would like to then modify the grade.

Suggested fix: Make it possible for anyone with grading permissions to modify a grade (like in other assignment modules) or at least add a setting which controls if it is allowed or not.

[jcrodriguez-dis]

Dear chysch,

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. We understand the challenges posed by the current functionality within the Virtual Programming Lab (VPL) system. Specifically, once a grader assigns a grade to a VPL assignment, it becomes unmodifiable by others. This limitation is particularly problematic in scenarios where a grade dispute arises, necessitating intervention by an instructor or someone with higher authority to adjust the grade.

In response to your suggestion, we are exploring the implementation of a more flexible grading system. This new system would enable individuals with the appropriate permissions to modify grades and feedback as needed.

It's important to note that in Moodle, any user with sufficient privileges can manually override a grade and feedback directly in the course gradebook. Following this override, a warning indicating the updated grade will be visible in the VPL activity to signal that changes have been made. However, we recognize that the current version of VPL does not display updated feedback within the VPL activity itself. We acknowledge this limitation and are committed to addressing it in future updates to ensure that all modifications are fully reflected within the VPL interface.

Best regards, Juan Carlos

[chysch]

Thank you for your response.

I was curious to know what is considered sufficient privileges?

It would be unfortunate for a lecturer with grading privileges to have to consult the admin whenever a dispute arises.

[jcrodriguez-dis]

Dear @chysch,

Understanding who has the authority to modify grades is important where grade disputes arise. Here's a more detailed explanation as I know it about Moodle permissions:

In Moodle, the ability to edit grades in the grade book is tied to specific permissions within the system's roles and permissions framework. This framework is designed to provide granular control over various actions within the platform. Permissions are essentially rights or privileges assigned to perform certain actions, and these are grouped into roles (such as Student, Teacher, Non-editing-teacher, etc.). These roles are then assigned to users at the course level, but can also be fine-tuned for individual activities or resources.

To determine if you have the necessary privileges to edit a grade, you can perform a simple test. Navigate to the gradebook, switch it to edit mode, and attempt to modify a grade. If you're able to make changes, this indicates you have the appropriate permissions.

The specific permission related to grade editing is identified by the name “moodle/grade:edit”. According to Moodle's documentation, the capabilities associated with this permission include the ability to toggle editing on or off in the Grader report for direct grade editing, as well as hiding or locking individual grades. By default, this capability is enabled for the roles of manager and teacher but is not available to non-editing teachers.

However, it's important to note that Moodle allows for customization of role permissions at the site level. This means that the default permissions associated with each role can be modified by administrators to fit the specific needs and policies of your institution. Therefore, if a lecturer finds themselves unable to edit grades as needed, it may be necessary to consult with the site administrator to adjust the permissions or roles accordingly.

I hope this clarifies how privileges for grade editing in the grade book work within Moodle.

Best regards, Juan Carlos.

[chysch]

Hi and thank you very much for the detailed answer.

The reason I bought up this issue is because there is a discrepancy between the VPL assignment and other assignments in this specific aspect. If my grader grades a regular assignment, I as lecturer can modify it, proving that I have the necessary editing permissions. If my grader grades a VPL assignment, I cannot modify it - hence the discrepancy.