Grading rubrics
I like to use a grading rubric for assessments. This gives students a foundation to work from. They know how they will be graded and what to expect.
Julia,
This is a good teaching point, about the importance of strategy when taking tests (especially timed, practical tests). I like rubrics because both student and instructor are obligated to follow the same (objective) grading criteria.
Barry Westling
I give out the actual grading rubric sheet before timed practical exams. Then we discuss strategies they can use to get the greatest number of points in the allotted time. Otherwise, they don't seem to understand that there can be a test-taking strategy.
Chuck,
I agree collaboration to develop a grading rubric is best, especially if there is a core topic or skill that is being measured. Rubrics hold both instructor and student to a standard, and that helps objectivity. I suppose the real test of the validity of a rubric would be to have 5-6 different instructors use the same rubric to measure a student activity, and all of the participants would grade it anonymously exactly the same. Since that is not practical for the mutiples of grading rubrics for a given class, group development is the best method.
Barry Westling
I, too believe that grading rubrics are an indispensable component of teaching/instruction and grading/assessment. In presenting the specific criteria and corresponding points that an assignment/project will be graded upon, it serves to inform the student/learner exactly what is expected of them and how their work will be evaluated.
I regard this as a "student right" (akin to a patient's rights when receiving health care services); it is something they deserve and are entitled to. It also protects me as an instructor in serving as an objective more than a subjective measure of (their) work and serves to help preempt disputes and misunderstanding in regards to the "how" a grade was determined.
Having said that, the rubric parameters can be subjective, eg. the number of spelling/grammar errors resulting in point deduction, however this is still a much more preferable practice compared to not having any rubric at all. Also, I believe it is best-practice to develop/construct rubrics in collaboration with my teaching colleagues to help guard against the individual subjectivity of having only one instructor construct a rubric.
Erica,
Customized gradaing rubrics are probably the best type. As you say, the predertermined criteria is known by all beforehand straight from the the source (the grader, you). And both instructor and student are bound by the same criteria. Rubrics also convey that planning and thought went into the development of each assignment. Students should appreciate that.
Barry Westling
I like creating my own rubrics for each class, making them specific to each course I teach. The students can see in detail what I am looking for each time they are tested. It leaves out subjective information and makes it a little more "set in stone" so they aren't surprised by their scores. And it also incldes ways to improve.
Jayne,
Standardization and objectivity are the two main reasons I like grading rubrics. It keeps everyone on the level - both student and instructor.
Barry Westling
I like useing the rubrics grading especially when it is a trade they are learning and how to perform a certain duty Rubrics are great it helps them to see where they need to improve
Sheri,
I like rubrics too. They provide clarity in advance as to what and how the instructor will grade. And both instructor and student are bound by the same grading criteria which tends to diminish too much subjectivity in the grading process.
Barry Westling
Grading rubrics are a great assessment tool in breaking down a procedure in multiple areas, it helps to show a students basic knowledge and their ability to think outside the box.
Joseph,
Yeah, rubrics are great for standarized mutiple instructor reliability in regards to grading fairly and consistently. I also like that rubrics require both instructor and student to be held accountable to the same grading standards.
Barry Westling
I agree. The use of rubrics has helped with student comprehension and insures parity if you have multiple instructors for the same course where each is responsible for assessments.
Fatemeh,
I like rubrics too. They provide the guidelines that both instructor and student are bound by. Plus, it provides the student with insight into how and what the instructor finds is most important, and may give students an additional opportunity to do better on a given assignment than they would ordinarily achieve.
Barry Westling
