Rubrics

How You Know You Need Rubrics:
  • You are spending hours writing comments that students either don’t read or complain they can’t read
  • You are wondering how to clearly communicate your expectations to students
  • You are plagued by students who wonder why they lost points on individual test items
  • You are wondering why it takes so long to explain an assignment to students
  • You are wondering if you were harsher on the first 25 student papers than you were on the last 25.
  • You are wondering if your assignment or test effectively measures what you want it to measure

RUBRICS TO THE RESCUE!

Rubrics are guidelines and criteria for grading and scoring papers, projects, performances, speeches, and any other assignments that students produce to demonstrate their skills and understanding. They should be designed with the course outcomes in mind. That way students are aware of what they need to know, understand, and do to be successful. Rubrics should be made available to students before they begin an assignment as well as after their work is graded so they understand what is expected and consequently how to improve.

There are a zillion ways to construct rubrics, but basically they are lists or charts of what is required with the value of each criteria specified.  Stevens and Levi’s (2012) Introduction to Rubrics is an excellent guide for developing and using rubrics in a variety of course types. Any course. The accompanying website provides useful samples of rubrics and scoring guides. You can designate various levels of achievement from Excellent, Competent, and Developing with associated point values in a chart (circle or highlight what applies) or designate an Exemplary Performance and score some point value or percentage of achievement. You can then add comments and recommendations for improvement in a comment box.

Basic Recommendations for Effective Rubrics

  • Tailor the rubric to include specific dimensions
  • Use action verbs like Compare, Organize, Interpret, Measure, Explain. These can be observed and evaluated.
  • Divide the criteria to represent distinct and meaningful levels of student performance.
  • Define the specific actions so students understand what is expected. For example, if asked to classify, require that students “place objects, words, or situations into categories according to defined criteria for each category.”
  • Think about the value of each criterion since each may have different weight.
  • Ideally use 3-5 performance levels
  • Include higher order thinking skills delineated in Bloom’s Taxonomy like analysis and synthesis.
  • Consider skills of collaboration, interdisciplinary learning, character building, and citizenship.

AND THE GOOD NEWS ... once you make one, you can use it over and over again!

Canvas Rubrics

You can convert any existing rubric to a Canvas one or you can construct one right in Canvas. There are many features of Canvas rubrics that will save you so much time and anguish. You’ll wonder where they were all your life. Here are some:

  • You can attach a rubric to your assignment so that it appears right in Speed Grader.
  • You can write free-form comments to students. You can do this for each criterion.
  • You can further clarify a specific criterion with a “longer description.” For example, if you require a minimum word count, you can add “This does not value quantity over quality - rather it gives a general guideline for a substantial response. Youi should consider adding examples, explanation, or other evidence from the text in order to reach or exceed the threshold.”
  • You can connect Outcomes to your rubric. Canvas allows you to add outcomes to your grading rubrics so that you can evaluate mastery as you grade assignments. Once you've set up outcomes, click Manage Rubrics to start using your outcomes for grading. (Helps with backwards-front design)
  • You can use the rubric for assignment grading and Canvas will post the result for you. Easy Peazy.
  • You can save comments to reuse over and over. Saves you from getting carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Canvas saves your rubrics for each class so you can reuse them from course to course (or modify them as you see fit). Canvas gives the option to edit or delete a rubric. You can also search for your cache using the magnifying glass icon in the rubric itself.
  • You can access rubrics from the Commons – import or download and use in your course. Access Commons on the far left-hand navigation bar in Canvas.
  • There is always the option of “Assignment Comments” box to give an Attaboy or Ideas for improvement. These can be written or recorded.

Here’s a link for detailed information about rubrics. Links to an external site.

Here are more Canvas Guides about Rubrics. Links to an external site.

Links to an external site.

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