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Gradebook Declarations in Desire2Learn

In addition to taking Quizzes at Desire2Learn, and you will also be making "Gradebook Declarations." It is very important that you understand how this works.

Declaring your work

A Gradebook Declaration is when you record in Desire2Learn a declaration that you have completed an assignment. When you declare that you have completed an assignment, points are recorded for you in the Gradebook. Obviously, it is essential that you are honest about the points that you record in this way. The Gradebook Declarations are governed by the Honor Code, and the penalties for making a false Declaration are severe.

Make sure you READ CAREFULLY

It is extremely important that you read the Declaration very carefully. I would urge you to read the Declaration OUT LOUD, just to make sure that you really have completed the assignment.

If you realize after reading the Declaration that you have not completed the assignment, do NOT make the Declaration. You can simply shut the browser window, and come back and do the Declaration later, after you have finished the assignment.

You must FINISH the assignment BEFORE declaring

Do NOT complete the Declaration until you have completely finished the assignment. If you have a question, problem or doubt about the Declaration, send me an email explaining the situation. It is much better to check with me first and, if necessary, I will record the points for you.

There are no circumstances of any kind that justify completing a Declaration before you are done with the assignment. If you do the Declaration before you have finished the assignment, this is a violation of the Honor Code, which can carry severe penalties for your grade in the class.

So, I repeat: Do NOT submit a Declaration unless you are sure your assignment is complete and correct.

Deadlines and the danger of working at the last minute

It is up to you to give yourself enough time to complete the Declaration before the assignment deadline. If an assignment deadline is midnight, Desire2Learn will shut down access to the Declaration at midnight, and you will not be able to claim your points. Putting this off until literally the last minute is not a good idea - you do so at your own risk!

I strongly recommend that you work at least one day ahead of the deadline. If you work one day ahead, this means you are not in danger of turning into a pumpkin at midnight. Plus, it allows you to check the Gradebook each day and if you notice that somehow you simply forgot to do a Declaration the previous day, you still have time to do that before the deadline.

When in doubt, ask!

If you have any questions about a specific Declaration, contact the instructor before you do the Declaration. It is much better to ask if there is something you are not sure about, because the penalties for making a false Declaration are severe. The grading system in the class depends on your being certain about each Declaration - so if you are not sure about something, please ask!