Leveling the Playing Field for Students: An Introduction to Grading with Rubrics Jeanette McDonald Teaching Support Services
What is a rubric? A rubric is a scoring tool that lays out the specific expectations for an assignment (Levi & Stevens, 2005, p.3).
Why use a rubric? provide timely feedback prepare students to use detailed feedback encourage critical thinking facilitate communication with others help refine our teaching methods level the playing field mitigate opportunities for academic dishonesty
What does a rubric consist of? task description dimensions (e.g., organization, content, style) scales (e.g., excellent, satisfactory, poor) criteria for performance
Template Scale 1Scale 2Scale 3 Dimension 1 Dimension 2 Dimension 3 Dimension 4 Task Description brief description of assignment as noted in syllabus
Variations on a theme 3 x 5 rubric (may be more depending on assessment components) holistic or scoring guide rubric (only highest level listed) staged rubrics (aligns with staged assignment)
The Construction Process Stage 1: Reflection Stage 2: Listing Stage 3: Grouping & Labeling Stage 4: Application Stage 5: Evaluate
Learning Outcome Weighting (%) Assessed Components Learning Activities Teaching Approach Content & Support Material Course Blueprint
Grading with Rubrics establishing performance benchmarks providing detailed formal feedback supporting individualized, flexible feedback conveying summative feedback
Involving Students ? ! Benefits clarify expectations for assignment; avoid mis- understandings student awareness of their role in learning process reduce professor workload with construction Approaches Present Model Feedback Model Pass the Hat Model Post-it Model 4 X 4 Model
Stage 1: Reflecting Stage 2: Listing Stage 3: Grouping & Labeling Stage 4: Application Presentation Professor Q&A / Rubric not changed Feedback Professor Both edit for clarity Pass-the-Hat Professor Students Both group student contributions Both create final rubric Post-it ProfessorStudentsBoth facilitate grouping Both create final rubric 4X4 Students Rubric Model Construction
Resources: download rubrics share rubrics discuss use of rubrics Stylus Publications – Introduction to Rubrics See also: