About the SPARK to SPIRE Grade Upload: FAQ
The SPIRE Grade Upload simplifies the process of entering grades by uploading your grades into SPIRE via SPARK. This process is an optional alternative to manual grade entry in SPIRE.
SPARK provides a secure connection to SPIRE, and options for both uploads and grade management. If you already use SPARK to manage your grades, it is a simple matter of calculating a final grade in the Final Grade column. If you use Excel, Access, or any other program to manage your grades, you only need to upload the final grades into SPARK. You do not need to use SPARK for any other part of your class.
Why Should I Use the SPIRE Grade Upload?
Do I have to use this process to get my grades into SPIRE?
Once I sign up, can I change my mind?
How does the Upload Process Work?
Is this the best way for me to upload my grades?
How can I work with my TAs on the SPARK to SPIRE grade upload?
Where can I get help with the grade upload?
What is the schedule for the grade-upload?
Why Should I Use the SPIRE Grade Upload?
Consider the SPIRE Grade Upload if:
- You need to grade a very large class (100 or more students)
- You already calculate grades in Excel (or similar software)
- You want to simplify the collection and reporting of grades from your TAs
- You already use SPARK for your class
Do I have to use this process to get my grades into SPIRE?
No, you can always enter your grades manually. Note: Only courses registered for grade upload will have their grades transferred from SPARK to SPIRE. To register your class for grade upload, complete the Registration Form.
Once I sign up, can I change my mind?
If you have signed up for SPARK to SPIRE grade upload and then change your mind, you need to withdraw by completing the Cancellation Form or by sending a message to instruct@oit.umass.edu.
How does the Upload Process Work?
A. Register your class to use the grade upload process by the registration deadline. Grades will only be transferred from classes that are registered. If you wish to participate, you must fill out the Registration Form.
B. Verify your roster. Get OIT NetID information for your students. Once you have your SPARK site, cross-check the rosters in SPARK, SPIRE, and any other grading program you are using. Students listed in SPIRE, but not SPARK, will need to have grades entered manually in SPIRE. If you use SPARK for grading, your students' NetIDs (OIT Account user names) are included in your roster information. If you plan to upload data from another source, you can download your students' NetIDs from SPARK and merge them with your data.
C. Calculate your final grades and put them into the "Final Grade" column of the Manage Students tool in SPARK. Final grades can be calculated within SPARK or imported from an external program such as Excel.
D. Wait overnight. Every night, from the start of exams until the day grades are due, grades will be automatically transferred from SPARK to SPIRE. The transfer occurs just after midnight. Grades will be available for approval after 5:00 a.m.
E. Use SPIRE to “approve” the grades. Note that the instructor of record for the class must complete this step. Any blank grades in SPIRE need to be filled in before the grades can be approved. Students in SPIRE who are not listed in SPARK or who have received incorrect grades for their grade basis will be blank. Students who have dropped the class will automatically receive a W or DR. Students taking a class Pass/Fail will have their letter grade automatically converted to a P or F.
Is this the best way for me to upload my grades?
To assess whether it will be easier to enter the grades by hand or to move the grades through SPARK, consider the following questions:
- Are you comfortable with managing data (import, export, comma delimited files) in Excel, FileMaker, Access, or other spreadsheet/data software?
- Are you already using SPARK for grade management?
- What is the size of your class?
If you answered yes to the first two questions above, then transferring your grades from SPARK to SPIRE would be worth your time, even if you have a small class.
If you answered no to the first two questions, you might want to consider entering your grades by hand, even if you have a large class.
Your class size is also an important consideration, since this method can simplify the grade upload process for large courses. If you teach large classes regularly, it might be a good idea to sign up and learn to transfer your grades from SPARK to SPIRE.
How can I work with my TAs on the SPARK to SPIRE grade upload?
Please bring your TA(s) to trainings or have them read our SPARK grade upload documentation. Also, make sure your TA(s) have co-designer privileges, not just TA privileges in SPARK. Otherwise, they will not be able to upload grades into SPARK. To request instructor access to SPARK for your TAs, you must fill out a Special Accounts request form.
Note: The fact that your TAs have instructor access to your SPARK course does not mean that they'll be able to approve grades in SPIRE. Only the instructor of record (whose name appears listed in SPIRE) can approve grades once they are transferred from SPARK.
Where can I get help with the grade upload?
See the handouts and tutorials for each step for information on transferring grades from SPARK or to register for an upcoming workshop. You can also make an appointment at the Instructional Media lab for phone or one-on-one consultation.
What is the schedule for the grade-upload?
Grades will be transferred from SPARK to SPIRE at midnight during every day of the grade upload period and will then be available for you to approve. Check the Important Dates list.
