Frequently Asked Questions



Does DiGIMS Online grade essays for me?
No.  DiGIMS Online provides a way for you to quickly and easily grade student writing, while gaining valuable information.  The creator of DiGIMS Online concurs with the NCTE & CCCC position statement on writing assessment. 
  We oppose the use of machine-scored writing in the assessment of writing.  Automated assessment programs do not respond as human readers. While they may promise consistency, they distort the very nature of writing as a complex and context-rich interaction between people.  They simplify writing in ways that can mislead writers to focus more on structure and grammar than on what they are saying by using a given structure and style.  (“Writing Assessment: A Position Statement.” NCTE.org. Nov 2006.)

How does DiGIMS Online make grading writing assignments easier and faster for me? 
Instead of the tedious process of correcting errors on a student’s paper, you simply click on the prompted areas of the grading screen. DiGIMS Online will then provide you with individualized student growth reports, scored rubrics and direction to individualized practice exercises used for revising and becoming proficient on specific grammar and writing skills.

 How do students submit their writing assignments to me? 
As always, students turn their essays in to you on paper, handwritten or typed.  However, instead of using your pen to grade their writing assignments, you click on the prompted areas in DiGIMS Online.  With one quick grading process, numerous valuable reports are provided for you, as well as students, parents, tutors, and administrators.
Can I use any writing prompt with DiGIMS Online?
Yes.  Unlike the artificial intelligence programs that automatically score essays, DiGIMS Online does not limit your writing prompt choices.  DiGIMS Online helps you manage writing assessment and differentiated instruction, leaving you the freedom to create any writing assignment desired.

Do students have to write a “five-paragraph essay” with DiGIMS Online? 
No.  DiGIMS Online maintains your freedom in creating writing assignments.  Writing assignments are not limited to the five-paragraph essay.  Assignments can be as short as one paragraph or as long as you desire the writing to be.

 Does DiGIMS Online require computer access for my students?
No.  With DiGIMS Online, you are not required to scramble for student computer time.  Students can compose, edit, and revise in class.  Although DiGIMS can include student writing that is created in a word processing program, it also allows for frequent in-class, handwritten assignments that emulate the procedure students are required to follow during state-mandated tests. 

Do I need specific composition books to use in my classroom with DiGIMS Online?
No. There is no need to purchase new materials with DiGIMS Online. Any text, worksheet, or website you already use will supplement DiGIMS Online. DiGIMS Online references your class materials to provide individualized instruction.  Self-Edit reports tell students where to find individualized help in their class materials.  Writing exercise reports individualize instruction by informing students of specific exercises in their text to complete.

 What if my school district does not provide me with composition or grammar books?  Can I still use DiGIMS Online?
Yes.   You will still receive numerous benefits of DiGIMS Online, including quick and easy grading, self-edit reports, scored rubrics, and student growth reports.

 I teach in an inclusion setting and am required to use writing resources and exercises for multiple grade levels.   Can I still do this with DiGIMS Online?
Yes.     DiGIMS Online can reference multiple sets of grammar and composition materials in its individualized reports, allowing students to benefit from authentic differentiated instruction.

 Can I use worksheets that I have collected over the years instead of a composition book?
Yes.  DiGIMS Online can reference text books, worksheets or websites in its individualized reports.

 Does DiGIMS Online provide me information that I can give to our special education case managers?
Yes.  DiGIMS Online’s individualized growth reports provide special education case managers valuable data which can be included in IEP development.

Can DiGIMS Online help me meet IEP modifications of my special needs students?
Yes.  The individualized self-edit reports are simple and easy to read, and the automatic “chunking” of the DiGIMS Online process can meet modification requirements of many special needs students.  Additionally, tutors and parents find the individualized self-editing reports extremely helpful when assisting students with homework.

 Can I use DiGIMS Online with my honors and AP students?
Yes.  You can create any level of writing assignment desired.  DiGIMS Online provides you with a way to quickly and easily grade writing and provides differentiated instruction for each student, at any level.

 Does DiGIMS Online allow me to check for plagiarism?
Yes.  DiGIMS Online provides a plagiarism checker right on the grading screen.    

 Can my students write multiple drafts of their essays with DiGIMS Online? 
Yes.  In DiGIMS Online, you enter each draft as a separate assignment.  DiGIMS Online provides individualized reports about a student’s growth from one draft to the next.  In addition, individualized reports are provided about a student’s growth throughout the school year.    

 Does DiGIMS Online allow me to use a rubric with my assessment? 
Yes.  Once you complete the quick and easy assessment, DiGIMS Online automatically scores the student's writing on a rubric.   In addition to specific assessment feedback, the rubric automatically calculates a letter grade, percentage, and point value.