Define Tasks

This screen is used to define the list of tasks which contribute to the final mark for the subject selected. A task is any assessable module - a practical report, tutorial, essay, quiz, assignment, mid-session exam etc. The subject lecturer can define and name the tasks according to the requirements of each individual subject.

Adding a Task

Click the Add tab in the horisontal toolbar of the Define Tasks screen. A short form will appear as shown in the sample below:

Complete the fields as follows:

• Task Number
  This defines the order in which the Tasks will appear on the Task Marks screen.
  You can enter a number, or if left blank, the next consecutive number will be assigned. If an already allocated number is entered, existing task numbers will increment to accommodate the new entry.
  Refer to the Task Numbering Examples for more information.
  
• Task Name
  Enter a short (max 50 characters) descriptive task name (e.g. Essay 1, Quiz 3).
  It is suggested that the name be kept short in order to be displayed effectively on the screen. More detailed descriptions ca be entered in the Description field.
  Note: the Task Name will appear in the Define Tasks screen as the column headings of the task marks table.
  
• Marked Out Of
  This field indicates the maximum possible mark for the given task, typically 100 but any whole number is acceptable.
  
• Weighting
  This defines the relative weighting allocated to the task, that is, the value of the task mark in relation to the final mark for the subject. Weightings must be in whole numbers. The most commonly used weighting procedure is a percentage measure. To use percentage based weightings, simply ensure that all weightings total 100. Refer to the Weighting Examples for more information.
  
• Is Final Exam?
  If ticked, the results of this task cannot be displayed online to students.
  
• Description
  A more detailed description than the Task Name can be entered. This field can hold up to 1000 characters for notes such as due dates, essay length, marking criteria etc. Note: this field is optional.

Once all fields are complete, click Save to save the task and return to the main Define Tasks screen. To quit without saving, click Cancel

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Removing a Task

To remove an existing task from a subject, first ensure that there are no marks entered for the task. If marks have been entered, you must first go to the Task Marks screen and clear all marks. Refer to Task Marks: Editing or Removing Marks for more information.

From the main Define Tasks screen select the task by clicking on the check box (on the left hand side of the Task No.). Then click Remove. The task numbers will automatically reorganise to a sequential list. Refer to Example 6 of the Task Numbering Examples.

Note: removing a task will also impact on the weightings of other tasks. Refer to Example 2 of the Weighting Examples.

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Editing an Existing task

Click on the Task Name link on the main Define Tasks screen. This will display the current task information as per the standard add task form. Edit the information as required and click Save. To quit without saving the changes, click Cancel

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Printing Task Information

To print a summary table of all tasks for the current subject, click Print Preview. Use the File menu Print command in the Print Preview screen to obtain a hard copy of the task information.

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Copy / Paste

A copy and paste function is available to assist in setting up similar tasks.

Once you have setup a task, click on the check box (on the Left hand side of the Task No.), click Copy and (once the screen has finished loading) then click Paste. A new task will be added to the Define Tasks table. You can then click on the Task Name link to make any necessary changes (eg Name, Description, Marked out of etc).