Can the grade book be divided in co-convened classes for the purposes of added additional requirements for graduate level students?

No, there is only one grade book for each course and it cannot be divided.   If additional assignments are required for graduate students, records of grades for these assignments need to be recorded outside of the iLearn course site and manually calculated with grade items in the iLearn grade book.

Can I record grades on an Excel spreadsheet and then upload them into iLearn?

Yes, as long as the grade item and student names match the iLearn grade book names exactly and the Excel file is in CSV format.   It is recommended that instructors create the grade book in iLearn and export the blank format to Excel at the beginning of the course to ensure exact duplication of grade item and student names.

I don't want my students to see their grades in percentage.   How do I turn this off?

You cannot hide the column marked Grade in the student view of the grade book. You must create a new Grade Scheme for each grade item, so that the grade appears as you wish.

I give 5 exams in my course but want to drop the lowest score.   Is there a way to do this in the iLearn grade book?

Yes, when setting up your grade book, choose the "Weighted System." On Grades List, click on the grade category for which you wish to drop the lowest grade. In the Grading section, chose 'Distribute weight evenly across all items in the category' and then enter a "1" in the box labeled 'Number of lowest non-bonus grade values to drop.

My grade book seems to load very slowly when I click on Grades.   What is happening?