Overview
Start ASL courses include a combination of automatically graded activities and manually reviewed submission assignments.
This article explains what gets graded, how grading works, and what to expect after submitting assignments.
What Gets Graded Automatically?
Most course activities are graded automatically by the Start ASL learning platform.
Examples include:
Quizzes
Practice activities
Self-Assessments
Course exercises
Automatic grading occurs immediately after completion.
What Requires Manual Review?
Some assignments require instructor review and grading.
Examples may include:
Video Submission Assignments
Research Papers
Deaf Event Papers
These assignments are designed to evaluate your understanding and application of course concepts.
Online Self-Study vs Online Guided
Online Self-Study
Online Self-Study is designed for independent learning.
Includes:
Automatically graded quizzes and activities
Course progress tracking
Certificates of completion (when course requirements are met)
Does not include:
Manual instructor grading
Assignment feedback
Video feedback
Assignment review
Research Papers may be reviewed for possible inclusion on Start ASL resources, but this is not considered instructor grading or feedback.
Online Guided
Online Guided includes everything available in Online Self-Study plus instructor support.
Includes:
Manual grading of eligible submission assignments
Assignment feedback
Instructor review
Practice Sessions
Office Hours
Online Guided is recommended for students who would like personalized feedback and additional support throughout the course.
Video Submission Assignments
Video Submission Assignments allow students to demonstrate their ASL skills through recorded signing.
These assignments are reviewed by instructors when manual grading is included with the student's enrollment option.
Video assignments may be used to evaluate:
Vocabulary usage
Expressive signing skills
Grammar usage
Communication effectiveness
Specific submission instructions are provided within each assignment.
Research Papers
Research Papers allow students to explore topics related to:
Deaf culture
Deaf history
ASL linguistics
Community experiences
Research Papers may be manually reviewed in Online Guided courses.
Online Self-Study students may submit Research Papers, but instructor grading and feedback are not included.
Deaf Event Papers
Deaf Event Papers are designed to encourage participation and engagement with the Deaf community.
Students may be asked to attend an approved Deaf event and reflect on their experience.
When manual grading is included, instructors review these submissions as part of the course requirements.
How Long Does Grading Take?
For courses that include instructor grading:
Most submission assignments are reviewed within 10 business days.
This timeline may vary depending on submission volume and holidays.
Important Certificate Reminder
If your course includes manually graded assignments and you are working toward a completion certificate:
Please submit your assignments at least 14 days before your access expires.
This allows time for:
Instructor review
Feedback
Revisions if necessary
Certificate processing
Can I Continue Working While Waiting for Grading?
Yes.
You do not need to wait for an assignment to be graded before continuing to the next lesson.
Students are encouraged to continue progressing through the course while waiting for instructor review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Don't I See a Grade Yet?
Some assignments require manual instructor review.
Please allow up to 10 business days for grading.
Do All Assignments Require Manual Grading?
No.
Most quizzes and activities are graded automatically.
Only designated submission assignments require instructor review.
Do Online Self-Study Students Receive Assignment Feedback?
No.
Instructor grading and feedback are features of Online Guided.
Online Self-Study is designed for independent learning.
Which Assignments Usually Require Manual Review?
Common examples include:
Video Submission Assignments
Research Papers
Deaf Event Papers
Specific grading requirements are listed within each assignment.
Where Can I View My Grades and Feedback?
Please see the appropriate article for your platform: