Carolyn,
Yes, rubrics do help instructors be more consistent In their assessment. Students also help students understand the expectations more clearly.
The rubric establishes guidelines for the student as to what is required. It furthermore provides a fair and consistent model for evaluation on the part of the instructor.
Per Merriam Webster, a rubric is defined as the following:
"a guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring academic papers, projects, or tests"
To me, the role of a rubric is as a guide to assess student performance. Appropriate use of rubrics helps students to advance in their learning; if given a clear rubric, students have a guide of expectations for any given task. Rubrics expand teaching, impart feedback to students, and add clarity to assessment. They are a relevant basis of information for gathering knowledge about how to enhance or improve a particular education program.
A rubric is a useful tool that helps with consistency. It also helps to ensure that student submissions are measured against predetermined criteria. This is very helpful with grading discussion because of the number of posts that one may need to review. After a while, the mind might start to drift, but having a rubric keeps the assessment criteria at the center of grading efforts.
Kevin
The most important purpose of a rubric to me as an instructor is to help make sure all the students are graded equally...or in other words it levels the playing field for grading purposes. The rubric also lets the student know what is expected.
A rubric will force the evaluator to use the same criteria from student to student. Rubrics throw out the ability to base evaluations on personal opnions or feelings.
Steven ,
Rubrics help everyone involved. Thanks for your input. Keep up the good work.
The course rubric removes ambiguity and clearly defines the grading process over the length of the course.
David,
AND, they help the instructor be more consistent in their evaluation of students. Thanks for your input.
Rubrics are extremely helpful in managing student expectations and providing guidelines for students to benchmark excellence. They also will show what poor work looks like. Rubrics also help in course design, helping you to model what is important.
robert,
Your input is appreciated. You bring up a good point about students complaints decreasing. Rubrics do help us all. Thanks!
Rubrics are helpful to both students and instructors. Understanding assignment expectations and knowing how work will be evaluated helps everyone involved. Rubrics also reduce student complaints about grades because they decrease subjectivity involved in the grading process. In all the classes I teach rubrics are made available to students from day one for all the assignments. It is a great tool that all of us should utilize.
Tawanda,
Seems like you are emphasizing EVERYTHING! ;-) Good point. Thanks for your input.
I believe that the rubric and student feedback go hand-in-hand. The role of the rubric is essential in terms of student feedback. I try to use a rubric with EVERYTHING!!! It makes the grading process easier, helps the student to prepare for the assignment and helps them understand their grades. I stick to the facts! I truly do rely on the rubric when it comes to grading and feedback. I offer feedback based on the actual work they produced, the class rubric, and the guidelines of the assignment, project, or class discussion…GB!
Gauri ,
Structure and clear expectations are essential in the online learning environment.
Thanks for sharing.
Michael,
Rubrics up front help diminish the possibility of grading surprises. Nice job.
It provides structure to the grading and assessment and gives students a reference point for their submission.
Rubrics should guide students initially. The hope is also that as students progress in the class and become more familiar with associated technologies, the rubric was written in such a way to anticipate future issues and provide further guidelines.
Kerri,
Yes, it helps us all. Any time we can help students and help ourselves as well, it's beneficial.
Thank you.
I agree as well. This helps to ensure both the instructor and the student that the assignment is being graded fairly and appropriately within pre-set guidelines that the student (hopefully) used to complete the assignment.
