Website grading systems vs. Excel

After reviewing each of the four grading websites, I was amazed at their capabilities.  I found mygradebook.com  to be a little more difficult for me to maneuver around.  I did however like the small questions marks which when clicked on explains what you need to know in order to complete the task. Also it was linked to  quizlab.com for making quizzes, tests and assignments which I thought was pretty good.  Classbuilder.com is run by edHelper.com which is a website I like.  With this grading system I found a lot of positives.  With this system, the teacher has the ability to not only use it for grading purposes but also can generate common report templates such as class lists, report cards and assignments.  Also, the teacher can generate attendance reports to parents via email.  The last thing I thought was great was the ability to create a classbuilder webpage for parents and students.  It can help keep the lines of communication open between the teacher and the parent.  Thinkwave.com is a grading source I liked because of its capabilities to  give the parents their own access to the students grades, announcements about assignments, attendance record and comments.  It allows the parent to have access to their child's school information.  I think that in the lower grades such as k-5, parents would be more inclined to check this information out.  It's a great tool in keeping on top of their studies and grades.  It also gives the teacher the chance to make specific announcements regarding field trips, reminders for assignments and also allows the parent to contact the teacher.  Parents are given a start key and an access code to access their account.  The last grading system I looked at was trackmygrade.com.  This is my favorite.  I felt comfortable using the different screens and it was easy to use.  It flowed nicely. I was able to make a grade book and check out the different features.  It offers the teacher a way to keep track of grades, compare grades student to student, attendance, and also print our reports such as progress reports, classroom reports and comparison graphs.   This system also allows parents to check grades by providing login access.  Although this system did not have as many features as Classbuilder.com, I thought it was easier to use.  

As far as Excel goes for tracking grades, even though I have never really used it for this purpose, it doesn't seem as easy to use as one of these websites.  On Excel you need to plug in everything!  From assignments, to grades, to formulas to calculate grade% and averages.  I wouldn't even know where to begin...I think I would prefer the grade book(paper & pencil) to the excel program.  Excel also is limited as far as being able to offer different templates or reports.  With excel there are no 'extras' for teachers to take advantage of.  The other grading systems offer so much more.  The websites offer an easy way for teachers and parents to see grades and other information and for teachers, be able to maintain the grades with ease.  It is more up-to-date and offers the teacher so much.  Technology is amazing!  I look forward to someday working with one of these systems for grading purposes.