Rubrics
I really like using rubrics but I don't like the "band wagon" approach that every student activity needs a rubric or that one great rubric should be used for every assignment, i believe that different learning activities require specific rubrics. If done en mass, we may as well simply use "Meets all expectations, meets some expectations and meets few expectations." What do others think?
Suzanne and Sarah,
Thanks for keeping the conversation going and helping us learn from each other. The rubric is very dependent on the criteria of the assignment and the learning outcomes. Thanks for your input.
Hi Sarah,
I think certain areas can be used in all rubrics. For example, items related to grammatical and spelling errors, citing references, and creating well organized paragraphs can be duplicated in all rubrics. What must vary by assignment is the content driven elements of the assignment. Analyzing a film is very different from developing a thesis and literature review. These very different content areas require completely different rubrics.
Thanks,
Suzanne
Phyllis and Sarah,
Thanks for continuing the conversation about rubrics. We do have to provide individualized comments to students to help them improve. Nice job.
Sarah,
I agree! I like rubrics too, but sometimes they do create a band wagon approach. We have to make the student feel like they are the only one.
Bob,
I agree. It helps the students understand what they did incorrectly and why. The "why" is what will help them improve. Thanks!
One of the things i really like about the rubrics is when they do something incorrectly you can always point to it and tell them, "This is going to cost you 2 points as indicated on the rubric at the end of the project" it makes it easier as an instructor to take points and not have the student feel like you are "just being mean" to the learner
Paula,
Your experience at the middle and high school levels will serve you well. Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone else.
Keep sharing.
I agree. When I taught middle and high school, differentiated learning was emphasized a great deal. This was particularly the case because of the various levels of students within each class and those who took specialized classes ie AP levels, etc.
My rubrics were varied depending on the level of the group and of course, the nature of the project/test. I personally felt it necessary to tailor the rubrics as much of the learning objectives and requirements were driven by student needs.
Paula
Jeremy,
Glad this is working for you. I just don't want you to think that rubrics have to limit creativity. They don't. I many times even have a specific row/category just for creativity. Thanks!
I don't always have a rubric created for an assignment, however...I always take the time to cover my expectations and explain in detail what should be done for the assignment. Most of my assignments are creative so I try not to limit creativity for a requirement. Seems to work well!
Bernadette,
Yes, they can be time consuming to do them correctly, but they are well worth the time investment. They help both students and the instructors. Thanks!
Rubrics can be very time consuming making them specific for each assignment..However sharing with other instructors will help so you are not re-inventing the wheel. The downfall is when you spend the time creating the rubrics, then you have a different subject you are teaching the next term..:/
Sarah,
Rubrics should be developed for the specific assignments/projects and the criteria should be specific enough to help students understand how they will be assessed, but not so specific that it allows for creativity. We have to take time to make good rubrics.
Thanks!
