Susan,
I agree that rubrics can assist in removing the "subjectivity" of grading a project. It is also important to provide "descriptors" along with the project grading rubric, so that the students are aware of how the points will be allocated on the rubric.
Tremayne Simpson
I do agree with this staement and would also like to add to it. I would add that a rubric makes a level/consistent playing field for a course with multiple instructors and multiple sections. That is a student who has instructor A can't say that instructor B grades "easier" than instructor A. It can help eliminate the so called "teacher's pet". The student can refer to the rubric when completing an assignment and know exactly what level of work is required to pass.
Amanda,
I agree. In addition, it is important to have a consistent and clear naming convention, for the grading criteria areas on the rubric. Highly ambiguous words (i.e. "good") should not be used to assess categories of the project/assignment, because it could be difficult to associate an appropriate range of points.
Tremayne Simpson
As an instructor, it is not only important to understand why we make grading rubrics, its also important to know HOW to make a rubric! I always have a rubric template saved on my thumb drive that I can share with other instructors, who are new, or don't know how to create one!
Having a template saves A LOT OF TIME!
Michelle,
I agree. In my experience, a well-structure rubric can limit the amount of student grade disputes. Whenever students feel that the grading is "subjective", they will have a viable reason to challenge their assignment grade.
Tremayne Simpson
Carmen,
I typically attach all of my project rubrics to the course syllabus and provide them to the students on the first day of class. This way they will always know how they are being graded and they can find the consistency in the assignment grading criteria.
Tremayne Simpson
Rubrics are great way to keep instructors on tack with the actual assignment. It keeps everything fair and students that share grades with others notice the same number of point deductions from the first student graded to the last student graded kept fair. It is important that students learn from their mistakes and the assignment over the point value of the assignment.
I like to have the rubric and showed to my students prior to be exam so they have an idea of what I am looking for during their hands on.
Alexadner,
I agree and feel that grading rubrics should be used for each assigned project. Rubrics not only objectify the grading, they also provide the student with feedback for future improvement. Rubrics should be provided to the student prior to the project being assigned, so that they are aware of the parameters of their grade.
Tremayne Simpson
Students dont mind being critiqed or graded as long as they know that it is not completely subjective. Consistent grading is important and a rubric allows both the teacher and student to be on the same gradeing page.
