Paper highlights and APA format
Using grading rubric is an excellent way of making consistent and faster grading of student papers. However,the highlighting or underlining of salient points may even make it easier. The problem with this approach is that it may be inconsistent with APA formatting for schools that require adherence to APA writing
Personally, I don't like rubrics. Once a paper has been throughly graded, creating notes for a rubric is an additional time sink.
What I would prefer see inacted is a set of criteria given to the student that details what constitutes an "A," what will earn a "B," ect. When the assignment it due, the student submits the criteria with a brief explaination as to why and how she met the criteria for what grade.
The professor can review the assignment and, providing the criteria is met, the grade is earned.
I suppose this is akin to the rubric, but the student has control of the grade, understands why the grade was earned, and (hopefully) feels more confident in attempting a higher grade on future assignments. (Well... since I wanted and earned a B on this paper, why can't I work for an A next time?)
I like the idea of having the students use a special color on their reports to signify the information- I will try to use your idea thanks - I also like to make sure my students have a hard copy of the grading Rubric before they begin to work on their projects. I like to teach them how to read the Rubric and how they can use it as a guideline for their papers.
This is true Austin. APA formatting does not typically allow for things like highlighting. Underlining has specific uses in APA. You might ask students to use a special color on their reports to signify the information they are trying to call out directly to you in your grading.
