Foundational Abilities ePortfolio assignments must be assessed in Canvas with the approved FA rubric. Using the imported rubric and its configured scores ensures consistent evaluation of the graduation requirements and accurate reporting.
Open in SpeedGrader
Open the FA assignment and access its submissions in SpeedGrader.
When you open a submitted ePortfolio, the grading pane may display the message, “The ePortfolio you are trying to reach is not accessible to the public. Please login and try again.” You may see this message even if you are already logged in to Digication.
Select View in a new tab to open the login page. After your initial login, you may close the new tab and return to the SpeedGrader. Select the submitted URL to load it in the grading pane. For the remainder of the login session you can open links directly in the grading pane without opening a new tab. If the content is still unavailable, ask the student to confirm that the correct page is published and shared with you.
Assess FA Achievement with a Scored Rubric
Use these steps for FA1.1, FA1.2, FA5, and FA6 Semester 2:
- In the SpeedGrader grading pane, select View Rubric. Use the handle to expand the rubric if needed.
- Select an achievement rating for every criterion.
- Do not edit the point value associated with a rating. The configured rubric scores are required for the Canvas calculation.
- Provide specific comments for individual criteria when useful, especially when the student has not yet demonstrated proficiency.
- Review the completed rubric before saving. A criterion left without the intended rating can lower the calculated overall result.
- Select Save.
Canvas calculates the rubric total and applies the Foundational Abilities grading scheme:
| Overall result | Percentage produced by the configured rubric |
| Advanced | 99.99%–100% |
| Proficient | 90% to less than 99.99% |
| Nascent | Less than 90% |
The rubric has been deliberately configured so its achievement ratings produce the appropriate overall FA result. Do not change the rubric scoring or the assignment point total.
For FA6 Semester 1 Progress
FA6 Semester 1 uses a point-free progress rubric so an individual criterion can be marked Not Yet Assessed without changing the mathematical result for criteria that have been assessed.
- Open the student's FA6 Semester 1 submission in SpeedGrader and select View Rubric.
- For each criterion, select Advanced, Proficient, Nascent, or Not Yet Assessed, as appropriate.
- Add criterion comments when useful, then select Save.
- Review the completed progress rubric and determine the student's overall assessed level.
- In the assignment score box, manually enter Advanced, Proficient, or Nascent, then save the grade.
Do not enter Not Yet Assessed as the overall assignment grade. It is available only as a criterion-level progress rating.
What Students See
Point values are visible to both students and faculty on scored FA rubrics because Canvas requires visible points when the rubric calculates the assignment result. FA6 Semester 1 is point-free. At the assignment level, students see an overall grade of Advanced, Proficient, or Nascent after the scored calculation or manual Semester 1 grade entry is saved.
The FA assignment is excluded from the course final-grade calculation. Rubric scoring records FA achievement; it does not add points to or subtract points from the student's course grade.
If you created a separate course-grade assignment for the same work, enter the course grade in that separate item using the course grading method you selected.
Revised Submissions
FA assignments allow unlimited Website URL submission attempts. If a student corrects the published page, sharing settings, or submitted URL, ask the student to submit the URL again in Canvas. Use the appropriate submission attempt in SpeedGrader when completing the FA assessment.
Get Help
Pedagogical Design Support
Contact the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation (CTEI) for guidance and support in developing your FA ePortfolio assignments. Email ctei@jhu.edu.
Technical Support
Contact the Center for Media and Technology Solutions (CMTS) for individual assistance in using Canvas, Digication, or other educational technology. Email cmtshelp@jhu.edu or submit a request.
Technical Guides