Abstract: Automated data exchange between a student information system and a course management system using an application programming interface that is directly exposed to the student information system as a web-service is disclosed. Submission of a new user record, enrollment of a user in a course, or changing user or course information triggers automatic data synchronization between the student information system and the course management system. The application programming interface provides single sign-on and bidirectional synchronization capabilities as well as real-time and asynchronous batch processing capabilities. The application programming interface supports XML, flat file, and web services processes and incorporates the IMS Enterprise v1.1 Specification standards.

Abstract: The invention includes an electronic gradebook having instructor and student interfaces with various points possible values, points awarded values, and instructor comment fields associated with gradable items within various gradebook views. Instructor interface options allow instructors to control student access to point values and to adjust, curve, or weight point values. Gradebook features enable instructors to allow students additional time or opportunity to complete or resubmit items, and to track student activity relative to gradable items. The invention also includes a method of compiling activity concerning course tools into a gradebook for an on-line educational system. The system and method track a student's use of a plurality of disparate course tools in an on-line educational system, and they record information from the tracking identifying the student's activity in the plurality of disparate course tools.