Tena Crews

Nicholas,

When used correctly - is the key. Thanks for brining that up. Thanks for sharing your learning experience.

Nicholas Baxter

I agree that rubrics are spectacular tools when used correctly. I have found that writing them and using them is a skill though. When I first started using rubrics I often make them to vague and this created more confusion than not using them at all. After more time writing and reading rubrics I have honed the ones that I use.

Tena Crews

Ron,

Actually with some creativity, you can allow for their creativity. I often include one row in the rubric for creativity. This encourages all students to think outside the box.

Ron Stefanski

One of my biggest things that I have against rubrics is that they are so "black and white". Yes, they lay out the assignment well but I feel that some students deviate from them purposely to show self expressions. For example, asking for a assignment on how Google works and a student submits screenshots of search queries. I feel that students who do this are going above and beyond and sometimes they may not follow the rubric exactly, but their assignment is great to read and easy to follow along with.

Tena Crews

Charles,

Rubrics help the instructor and the students. I use a rubric for every assignment I grade.

It is it something I am not going to "grade" then I do not provide a rubric. . .unless it's a draft of something I'm going to grade. For example, if they are writing a letter for business communication and they can write a draft letter, I review it (or their peers), and then they resubmit a final copy, I do give the rubric up front.

Hope this makes sense. Please ask if you have more questions. Have a great one.

Charles Williams

I agree, I recently assigned a calculus project on limits and my student did well on the project. The students informed me that the knowing the requirements of the project through a rubric allowed them to be successful. The students who did not use the rubric did not do as well. Do you think a rubric should be required for class work and home work on every assignment?

Tena Crews

Elke,

Correct. Rubrics help both the teacher and student. Teachers can be more consistent in their grading/feedback and students will more thoroughly understand what is expected of them.

Thanks!

Elke Schmidt-Yaple

It is a great tool for both teacher and student, that tool will help the teacher to get discussion boards graded easier.

Tena Crews

Krissi,

Right on target. Rubrics can help the instructor be consistent with grading and help students understand the expectations. Remember to put the course objectives within the rubric so the students understand why they are doing what they are doing and how it relates to the overall course.

Thanks again for your input.

Krissi Putansu

If presented and communicated properly at the beginning of the class, this essential tool can be used as a guide for the student to feel they have control over their own success. Also, it takes the subjectivity out, as much as possible, of grading certain papers/projects/speeches, etc.

Tena Crews

Brenda,

You are exactly right. Anything you provide to students whether orally or in writing is communication. Using rubrics helps the students understand the learning outcomes too. It's best if you put the learning outcomes/objectives within the rubric as well.

Thank you.

Brenda Forde

Yes, I agree a rubric is a great tool for on-line courses. The good rubric can clearly communicate the assignment requirements and help the student as well as the instructor. The rubric needs to have enough detail so that is creates a good communication tool. Thanks.

Tena Crews

Frank,

I like your use of the work "tool." It is certainly a great tool. I'm glad you have found them beneficial. Students like to know how they will be graded and what is expected of them. It also alleviates many questions from students such as "Why did I get 5 points taken off?" It's self-explanatory.

Nice job.