Authentic Assessment Using Rubrics to Evaluate Project-Based Learning Curriculum content created and presented by Dr. Alexandra Leavell Associate Professor of Teacher Education University of North Texas

Module Objectives  Define the steps necessary to make an effective rubric.  Create a rubric for use with a project- based technology assignment.

Essential Questions  How will the use of PBL and authentic assessments help me meet the needs of learners with different abilities?  How will using rubrics help me meet curricular goals?  How do rubrics help my students become better learners?  How will rubrics improve my teaching?

Creating an Effective Rubric  Step One Define and visualize the end product Our example will be: A student- generated web page showing results of students’ research.

 Step Two & Three Define the elements of the project and the dimensions you want to evaluate  For our example, one element might be Addressing the research question, the dimensions might include Including essential information Using facts and citations to support argument Ensuring learnability/usability for the audience How do I make an Effective Rubric?  Your turn: What other elements/dimensions would you include for our project?

Elements for our project: 1.Relevance to the research question 2.Quality of the content 3.Organization 4.Use of technology 5.Collaborative teamwork 6.Effectiveness of the oral presentation How do I make an Effective Rubric?

Dimensions for our project on first element: Relevance to the research question –Essential information –Facts and citations to support views –Audience considerations How do I make an Effective Rubric? Click on this slide to access the web site suggested in video.

Elements for our project: 1.Relevance to the research question 2.Quality of the content 3.Organization 4.Use of technology 5.Collaborative teamwork 6.Effectiveness of the oral presentation How do I make an Effective Rubric?

 Step Four Determine the range of performance possible. Beginner/novice Developing Accomplished Exemplary/Distinguished  Your Turn! Create a table with the dimensions for our project down the side and the range across the top. For a template, go to the featured link. How do I make an Effective Rubric?

Your table should look like this… BeginnerDevelopingAccomplishedExemplary 1. Addressing the research question 2.Quality of the Subject content 3. Organization 4. Use of Technology Etc.

How do I make an Effective Rubric?  Step Five Write benchmark descriptions for each dimension. Think about what the finest possible performance in that dimension would look like and describe it as clearly as possible. That goes under Exemplary.

Benchmark Description Example for Exemplary Exemplary 1. Relevance to the research question In-depth connection to the research question; all essential information included; clear and concise purpose; audience will learn from this product

How do I Make an Effective Rubric?  Step Five (cont’d)  Now, what would a slightly less effective example look like? That goes under accomplished.  Your Turn! Come up with a benchmark for “Relevance to the research question” for the Accomplished category

Benchmark Description Example for Accomplished AccomplishedExemplary 1.Relevance to the research question Adequate connection to the research question; enough essential information; users can learn readily In-depth connection to the research question; all essential information included; clear and concise purpose; audience will learn from this product

Finish Step Five  Step Five (cont’d)  Finish the benchmark descriptions for the rubric in all categories.  Review.

Finish Step Five  Step Five (cont’d)  View the finished rubric by clicking on this slide.finished rubric  See other rubrics by visiting the accompanying web site’s Resource page.

How do I Make an Effective Rubric  Step Six: Assigning Values  How will you get a final grade from the rubric?

How do I Make an Effective Rubric  Step Six (cont’d)  Decide how to quantify the categories. Let’s say the assignment is worth 48 points total.  With six elements, that’s a possible 8 points per element.

Rubric with Point Values BeginnerDevelopingAccomplishedDistinguished Element #1 1-2 possible points 3-4 possible points 5-6 possible points 7-8 possible points Element #2 Element #3 Your rubric might have these numerical values:

Sample Rubrics Visit the accompanying web site for a list of sample rubrics available on the web.sample rubrics

Weighted Rubrics  If you want some elements to count more toward the grade than others, you can weight the rubric.weight the rubric  Go to Resources for a description of the process of creating weighted rubrics.

Qualities of an Effective Rubric  Yields consistent results with different scorers.  Provides all learners the opportunity to succeed at some level.  Is easy to use and understand.  Defines standards and helps students achieve those standards by providing criteria by which they can evaluate work.  Addresses relevant content and performance objectives.

FAQs 1.Isn’t the rubric still subject to human judgment? Yes, but true accountability in any form cannot be free of human judgment. 2. How does a rubric stack up in terms of reliability and validity? 3.Creating rubrics seems like a lot of work. Are there resources online to help me? 4.How often should I use rubrics? 5.How do I get a grade from the rubric?

Tips for getting the most from your rubrics 1.Learn from your mistakes. 2.Give the rubrics to students in advance. 3.Do process checks along the way. 4.Be flexible as they work, reworking the benchmarks as needed. 5.Remember! It’s a learning tool as well as an assessment tool.

Tips for getting the most from your rubrics 6.Have students work with you to define elements and dimensions. 7.See Resources for examples of student- designed rubric.examples of student- designed rubric 8.Use peer evaluation and conferencing (not for a grade). 9.Use online resources for guidance.

Your Turn Work by yourself or with a partner to create a rubric for a Project Based Learning assignment of your own!