What files, etc do I need and where do I get them?

You will need the following:

1. The VGLII program (VGLII.exe or VGLII.app).
2. The Problems folder.
3. The instructor.key file for your class.
4. The grader.key file for your class.
5. The student.key file for your class.

You can get (1) and (2) from the DOWNLOAD link at the left. When you download VGLII, you get a folder that contains the VGLII program and the Problems folder.

If you are using Mac OS X, you must be sure to get the "Grading " VGLII and you must be sure to put the VGLII-x/ folder in your Desktop/, Downloads/, Documents/, or Applications/ folders; there are no such restrictions on Windows.

What are files (3), (4), and (5) for?

• student.key - this file must be in the same directory as VGLII for the Student to be able to save their work for grading. It is an encryption key that is specific to your course. It does not expire.
• instructor.key - this file must be in the same directory as VGLII for the Instructor to be able to grade students work. It is a decryption key that matches student.key and is specific for your course. It does not expire. Do not distribute this to the students!
• grader.key - this file must be in the same directory as VGLII for the Instructor to be able to grade students work. It is an encrypted file that contains your password and an expiration date. It is specific to your course and expires. Do not distribute this to the students!

In order to get these files, you will need to e-mail Brian White a request for a "VGLII Key set". I should be able to get back to you the same day, but, in case I am on vacation, etc, you should allow at least 2 weeks lead time. In your e-mail, be sure to include:

• Some independent way to verify that you are an instructor at your institution. For example, a link to a web directory with your e-mail, etc.
• Your desired password.
• The desired expiration date for your password. If you are the sole instructor in your course and you have good control of the security of your computer, I suggest making the password last about 1 year maximum. If you are an instructor with many teaching assistants, then you should probably make the password expire after a semester or less. I am happy to renew these at any time.

I will send the files as e-mail attachments (they are small).

Note that these files work together as a set. When one expires, they all expire. Thus, you must replace all three keys each time they expire.

In other words:

• The Student Needs: (all in the same folder)
• The VGLII program (VGLII.exe or VGLII.app). This comes in the standard VGLII download.
• The Problems folder. This comes in the standard VGLII download.
• The student.key file for your class. You must request this from Brian White.
• The Instructor Needs: (all in the same folder)
• The VGLII program (VGLII.exe or VGLII.app). This comes in the standard VGLII download.
• The Problems folder. This comes in the standard VGLII download.
• The instructor.key file for your class. You must request this from Brian White.
• The grader.key file for your class. You must request this from Brian White.

What do I do for the students?

Before the assignment, you will need to:

1. Tell the students to download VGLII from this site. If they are using Mac OS X, they must get the "Grading" VGLII and they must put the VGLII-x/ folder in their Desktop/, Downloads/, Documents/, or Applications/ folders; there are no such restrictions on Windows.
2. Give them access to download the student.key file for your class.
3. Tell them to put the student.key in the folder with VGLII.
4. Have them follow these instructions.

How do I use the Grader?

After the students have submitted their .gr2 files for grading:

1. Collect all the .gr2 files they produce in a folder on your computer.
2. Be sure that your grader.key and instructor.key files are in the same folder as the VGLII program.
3. Launch VGLII. It should ask for your password. If it does not, you need to be sure you've completed step (2).
4. Enter your password and click OK
5. Choose Grade Students Work option from the Utilities menu.
6. Select the directory where the students' .gr2 files are stored and click OK.
7. VGLII will then load in the students' files. This may take a little time.
8. You will see a screen with a list of student file names at the left. Click on a filename to compare the student's answer with the correct answer.