Herbert Brown III

Rhonda,

I believe rubrics are critical to both the student and the instructor. As you mention it provides the students with very specific feedback and a clear understanding of a grade (causing little reason to argue grades). It also limits the possibility of instructor bias in grading and hold faculty accountable in the grading process. I have found that students VERY seldom argue graded assignments when a good rubric is provided.

Herbert Brown III

Rhonda Allen

I've seen some great rubrics - you click and they grade with comments added. It allows the students to where they need to improve and what areas are done well.

Herbert Brown III

Carl,

It certainly depends on the information. I learn from experience. Typically I have had enough detail that the students still seem to read the content and follow the expectations. If it becomes a bigger problem where they are not, then I might have to use an assessment to verify they understand the content. Unfortunately I do use some MC quizzes just to get the students to read the basic information at times - they don't count a lot but it ensures they have reviewed the materials.

Herbert Brown III

Nelson Stewart

Rubrics are helpful to students because they permit them to understand assignments objectives. Once the students understand the objectives, it allows them to focus on requirements. This enables faculty to use the structure of the rubric to determine if students have complied with requirements and then to comment on the strength or weakness of that student's ability. The advantage that rubrics also provide to faculty is that consistency is established for all students for the assignment. Depending on the detail of the rubric, specific elements within the rubric may permit faculty to assist students in improving on preparing for an assessment.

Carl Libis

Herbert,

I have the rubrics with the assignment details. I will try posting an announcement about the rubrics. I think an announcement listing important topics and requesting that the students respond that they have read the announcement and all of the topics would help. Do you think requiring student acknowledgment of information is a good idea?

Carl

Herbert Brown III

Carl,

I place the rubrics directly with the assignment details and bold in the directions that the students need to review the rubric to ensure they know how they will be evaluated. I remind them that the rubric is the exact grading tool I will use to grade their work - so they better know what is on the rubric. I also find that younger students are much more likely to be exposed to rubrics and actually ask for them if they don't see them.

Herbert Brown III

Carl Libis

I have rubrics but the students do not read them and then complain that there are no rubrics. How do you get students to read rubrics. In general, how do you get students to read important information and remember it?

Herbert Brown III

Deana,

Rubrics should be used in all of your assignments in my opinion. Rubrics are helpful for both the instructor AND student. Rubrics ensure that grading is consistent and fair and the grading is open and transparent. Using rubrics to grade assignments removes (reduces) the number of student questions regarding their grades. If designed correctly, they automatically report a student's strengths and weaknesses on any assignment. On numerical rubrics I also include a comments section on each category to add addiitonal constructive feedback relative to that category.

Herbert Brown III