Checklists and Rubrics

Checklists and Rubrics Assessment Tools Give students the opportunity to understand expectations for being successful

Turn this….. Into this….

Checklists "can do–can't do" and "done–not done” Less informative than rubrics Less informative than rubrics because they don’t indicate the relative quality of a product or performance

Use Checklists: to record observed performance for self-assessment to keep track of progress over time to help students fulfill task requirements Record observed performance Record Observed Performance ~ small groups, you might note whether or not individuals demonstrate ability or knowledge in some predetermined categories aligned to course content and objectives. For self-assessment ~ students can use the above checklist to evaluate their own progress. To keep track of progress over time, e.g., as an inventory of skills at the beginning and end of a course.

Advantages and Disadvantages Easy to construct and use Align closely with tasks Effective for self and peer assessment Self-monitor progress Useful for sharing information Disadvantages Provide limited information Don’t indicate quality Advantages Make learners aware of task requirements and allows teachers to share information with other teachers, admins, and parents. Disadvantages Not a lot of information about how to improve performance

Examples Share examples of checklists used with the 3rd and 4th graders in class.

Creating a Checklist Identify Create parts of a specific task other requirements associated with it Create columns for tasks areas for marking yes and no; or check boxes In MS Word, show how to create the columns using tables and inserting check boxes using the Insert menu

Tips for Creating Checklists Create during the planning process Share with students with the initial assignment

Tools and Tips for Creating Checklists PBL Checklists ~ keeps students on track and allows them to take responsibility for their own learning through peer- and self-evaluation CARLA’s Virtual Assessment Center ~ research and discussion on using checklists and rubrics as part of the evaluation process The Essentials of Language Teaching ~ discusses alternative assessment Self Assessment Checklists for Teachers ~ from Scholastic.com

What is a Rubric? A scoring tool that lays out the specific expectations for an assignment, providing a detailed description of what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable levels of performance. (Stevens & Levi, 2005). A printed set of criteria for evaluating work and for giving feedback It provides scoring guidelines

Why Use Rubrics? Assists teachers in explaining grades Students understand the evaluation process Helps with explanation of expectations Clearly defines what a good product is Makes the grading process consistent and fair Helps students evaluate their own and each other’s work

The Importance of Using Rubrics Teachers can: increase the quality instruction reuse rubrics for various activities Students have: explicit guidelines for expectations a tool to develop their abilities Teachers can: increase the quality instruction by providing focus and attention to particular details **Create rubrics along with the planning process**

Creating Rubrics Determine the concepts to be taught. Choose the criteria to be evaluated; Name the evidence to be produced Develop a grid Place the concepts and criteria For this example, we will use 3 levels for expectations.

Fiction Writing Rubric 4 3 2 1 PLOT: "What" and "Why" Both plot parts are fully developed. One of the plot parts is fully developed and the less developed part is at least addressed. Both plot parts are addressed but not fully developed. Neither plot parts are fully developed. SETTING: "When" and "Where" CHARACTERS "Who" Described by behavior, appearance, personality, and character traits.

Types of Rubrics Analytic vs. Holistic Rubrics Analytic rubrics identify and assess components of a finished product Holistic rubrics assess student work as a whole Holistic scoring rubrics support broader judgments concerning the quality of the process or product Think of an analytic rubric in terms of a checklist

What is Worth Grading? Following directions Understanding of material Proper references to texts, other resources Organization Quality of data Grammar and mechanics Writing style Creativity

Developing the Scoring Scales Two to five point scale for components 5 Top quality; original thinking 4 Good quality; some original thinking 3 Acceptable quality; not much original thinking 2 Questionable quality; not much thinking 1 Turned in on time

Possible Labels for the Scales Exemplary, proficient, marginal, unacceptable Advanced, intermediate high, intermediate, novice Distinguished, proficient, intermediate, novice Accomplished, average, developing, beginning Outstanding, very good, good, poor, unsatisfactory A, B, C, D, F Satisfactory, unsatisfactory

Tools and Tips for Creating Rubrics Rubistar ~ a free tool to help teachers make rubrics Teach-nology ~ allow teachers to make grading rubrics by filling out forms Recipes4Success ~ create your own customized rubrics based on common classroom learning goals Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators ~ an excellent resource for assessment and rubric information Tips for Choosing Rubrics ~ from Chicago Public Schools