Overview

AI Grade is a powerful local plugin that seamlessly integrates with Moodle's assignment module to provide AI-assisted grading capabilities. Designed for educators who want to streamline their grading workflow while maintaining pedagogical quality, this plugin leverages Moodle's core AI subsystem to analyze student submissions and generate thoughtful, constructive feedback.

Key Features

Intelligent Grading

• Utilizes Moodle's core AI subsystem for grading (no separate API keys needed in the plugin)
• Supports both individual and bulk grading workflows
• Provides detailed, constructive feedback with specific suggestions for improvement
• Automatically scales grades to match assignment point values

Grade-Level Awareness

• Adjusts feedback complexity and tone based on student grade level (grades 3-12)
• Uses age-appropriate vocabulary and expectations
• Provides developmentally suitable constructive criticism

Flexible Rubric Support

• Upload rubric files in multiple formats: PDF, DOCX, DOC, or TXT
• Dual prompt system with separate AI instructions for assignments with and without rubrics
• Automatic rubric text extraction and analysis

Multiple Submission Formats

• Online text submissions
• File uploads: PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, PPTX, PPT, ODT
• Google Docs links (text content extraction)
• Google Slides links (text content extraction)

Teacher Control and Oversight

• All AI-generated grades and feedback are suggestions only
• Teachers review and can modify all grades before finalizing
• Clear warnings about AI limitations
• Full audit trail of grading actions

Customization Options

• Customizable AI assistant name (e.g., "Professor AI", "Boone", etc.)
• Site-wide default grading instructions
• Per-assignment instruction customization
• Separate prompts for rubric-based and non-rubric grading

Privacy and Compliance

• Full Privacy API implementation (GDPR compliant)
• Clearly declares external AI processing in privacy policy
• No permanent storage of student data beyond standard Moodle grading
• Transparent about data sent to AI providers

Integration Features

• Seamless integration with Moodle's assignment grading interface
• AJAX-based grading with real-time feedback
• Backup and restore support (configuration only; rubrics require re-upload)
• Works with Moodle's core AI subsystem (supports multiple AI providers)

How It Works

1. Enable AI Grade: Teachers enable AI Grade for specific assignments in the assignment settings
2. Configure: Upload optional rubric, select grade level, customize AI instructions
3. Grade: Click "AI Grade" button when reviewing student submissions
4. Review: AI generates grade and feedback based on submission, rubric, and grade level
5. Finalize: Teacher reviews, modifies if needed, and saves the final grade

Important Limitations

Text-Based Evaluation Only AI Grade evaluates text content and cannot assess:

• Images, graphics, or visual elements
• Document formatting, colors, or design
• Tables or charts (structure may be lost in extraction)
• For presentations: visual design, slide layouts, or animations

Best Suited For

• Essays and written responses
• Research papers and reports
• Text-based assignments
• Reading comprehension responses
• Short answer questions

Not Recommended For

• Design projects or visual presentations
• Assignments where images or formatting are grading criteria
• Art, graphic design, or multimedia projects
• Math assignments with complex equations or diagrams

Requirements

Moodle Version

• Moodle 4.5 or later (currently maintained versions)

PHP Requirements

• PHP 7.4 or later
• PHP cURL extension (for Google Docs/Slides support)
• PHP ZipArchive extension (for DOCX, PPTX, ODT support)

Moodle Configuration

• Moodle AI subsystem must be configured with an AI provider:
  • OpenAI (GPT models)
  • Azure OpenAI
  • Anthropic Claude
  • Or other compatible AI providers

Optional

• pdftotext command-line tool (for optimal PDF rubric extraction)

Installation

1. Download the plugin ZIP file from the Moodle plugins directory
2. Install via Site administration → Plugins → Install plugins
3. Or manually extract to /path/to/moodle/local/aigrade
4. Visit Site administration → Notifications to complete installation
5. Configure site-wide settings at Site administration → Plugins → Local plugins → AI Grade

Configuration

Site-Wide Settings

• AI Assistant Name: Customize the name displayed on buttons (default: "AI")
• Default AI Instructions (With Rubric): Default prompt when rubrics are uploaded
• Default AI Instructions (Without Rubric): Default prompt when no rubric exists

Per-Assignment Settings

• Enable/disable AI Grade for each assignment
• Select student grade level (3-12)
• Upload optional grading rubric (PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT)
• Customize AI instructions for this specific assignment

Privacy and Data Handling

Data Sent to AI Providers

• Student submission text content
• Assignment name and instructions
• Uploaded rubric content (if provided)
• Grade level setting

Data NOT Sent to AI Providers

• Student names or identifiable information
• Student email addresses
• Course information beyond assignment context

Data Storage

• Plugin stores only configuration data (enabled status, instructions, grade level)
• No student submission content is permanently stored by the plugin
• All grading data is stored in standard Moodle assignment tables

Disclaimer

AI Grade is a tool to assist teachers in the grading process, not replace teacher judgment. All AI-generated grades and feedback should be reviewed by qualified educators before being finalized. The accuracy and appropriateness of AI-generated content may vary and is subject to the limitations of the underlying AI models.