Using Rubrics

While feedback gives learners your input into their activities, it can often be subjective, leaving the door open to questions from students: "Why did I get that score, but Akeem got that score?" "Why did you think that I needed to clarify? Seemed clear to me." According to Teachers' First website, rubrics "make assessing the students' work efficient, consistent, objective, and quick."

Rubrics can take many forms, but all outline your expectations clearly for what will be necessary for the learners to do or exhibit in order to obtain a particular score. Rubrics generally are created in a grid with behaviors/skills in the first column. The top row provides the breakdown of levels of competency. Details are added to each row to explain and identify the specific characteristics. Review this abbreviated rubric for digital storytelling (modified by stated permission):

Behavior Poor Average Good Exemplary
Purpose It is difficult to figure out the purpose of the presentation. There are a few lapses in focus, but the purpose is fairly clear. Establishes a purpose early on and maintains focus for most of the presentation. Establishes a purpose early on and maintains a clear focus throughout.
Pacing No attempt to match the pace of the storytelling to the story line or the audience. Tries to use pacing (rhythm and voice punctuation), but it is often noticeable that the pacing does not fit the story line. Audience is not consistently engaged. Occasionally speaks too fast or too slowly for the story line. The pacing (rhythm and voice punctuation) is relatively engaging for the audience. The pace (rhythm and voice punctuation) fits the story line and helps the audience really "get into" the story.

Kathy Schrock is an educator, technologist, and librarian who has maintained an outstanding website since the early 90s. She also is a well known author and presenter on a variety of topics. To learn all about rubrics and access numerous example rubrics on a wide variety of topics, check out her Assessment and Rubrics page.

Rubrics are easy to create; good rubrics are more difficult. Don't expect to get the first one just right the first time.

Why Use Rubrics

  • Rubrics provide consistency and objectivity as you grade.
  • They provide to learners a clear roadmap of your expectations and their responsibilities.
  • With time, grading becomes more streamlined as you evaluate for specific components and the specified level of expertise or accomplishment.

Rubrics for Specific Purposes

Here are some of my favorite websites for information and examples for specific purposes:

Activity

Choose one assignment that you typically use in your course. It should be one where you (a) receive considerable student inquiry about why you scored it the way you did, (b) you often find yourself returning to assignments that you've already completed grading to adjust your comments or scores, or (c) hear that students just didn't understand what you wanted. Find or create a rubric to assess that assignment in the future.

In the next section, we'll talk about issues with assessing group work.