Nancy,
Thakns for noting that rubrics help both instructors and students. They are worth the effort.
Hello everyone,
Rubrics clearly establish expectations for students and allow them to see not only precisely what is expected from them in each component of a given assignment but also how much weight each of these components carries. Rubrics also cut down considerably on student protests about grades because they seem to minimize the inevitable subjectivity involved in much of the grading process for essays, discussion posts, and similar assignments.
Mark A. Coppelli
Rubrics to me represent a pattern that can be utilized by the student to create the assignment - I had a student tell me last week that they had written their paper following the points in the rubric - it was a well organized paper.
Additionally, rubrics permit me as the instructor to have that same pattern to utilize when grading the assignment - determining whether or not the student has met the requirements or objectives of the assignment.
Susan
Nicole,
While I agree with both of your roles for rubrics, I would also like to add a third role. I believe that rubrics are very useful in helping the instructor to evaluate and revise the assignment/project to ensure that it meets the course objectives.
Thanks
Jim
I feel that rubrics have three roles. The first role is to ensure that the instructor provides consistent feedback. The second role is to guide the student in understanding the goal of the exercise and how they will be evaluated. The third role is to aid the instructor in evaluating and revising the assignment/project to meet the objectives of the assignment/project in particular and the course in general.
Jim
I have used grading rubrics for years and I have found that students appreciate the clarity of my expectations and the measured success they have had in accomplishing those learning objectives--in a nut shell, it is about as clear a communication as can be expected--Dr Jim
The rubric has more than one role. Of course, the rubric allows the instructor to be consistent in grading. Moreover, the rubric makes grading easier for the instructor. The rubric also is a guide for what students should include in assignments. One of the most important aspects of the rubric, in my opinion, is the rubric's "ability" to help instructors and students target their efforts on the objectives of the course. A rubric must, among other things, align with the objectives of the course.
The role of the rubric is to provide a consistent and systematic method of evaluating students' work based on course objectives that the student is expected to meet.
Taylor,
I agree. Having a rubric makes grading easier and provides an understanding to the students.
The role of the rubric is to provide clear and concise communication to the student. I believe when using rubrics students can see what is expected of them. As the instructor your rubric should be consistent which will allow your students to find the pattern of your grading and therefore know what they should and should not do when working on their assignments.
Lewis,
Excellent. You describe them well.
Thanks.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
William,
You are on target. Thanks for emphasizing the objectives and how you can provide personalized feedback through the rubrics. Thanks for the information.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Guillermo,
Yes, it helps both the students and instructor. Thanks for your input.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Brian,
Excellent - you provided the benefit for both the students and instructor. Nice job.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Roberto,
Ha! I think that happens with a lot of things we now use. I am trying to remember what is did without email. :-)
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Roberto,
Yes, and when you include the learning objectives in the rubric itself, the students understand why they are doing what they are doing. Thanks.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Jeffrey,
And, rubrics help instructors as well as the students. Grading consistency is improved. Thanks for your input.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Trista,
Yes, providing the rubric with the assignment or project helps the students understand the expectations and how to meet the set goals. Thanks.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Trista,
That's right. The key is that a rubric helps both the student and the instructor. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
William. I LOVE using rubrics. When I first began teaching I was loathe to have to develop yet another "guideline" for course instruction. However, I soon learned that rubrics were the most important part of the learning environment for both my students and me. I now rely exclusively on posting rubrics for each assignment. Students understand what is expected and then can do their best to achieve success. I'm able to follow the rubric for consistency and fairness with all assessments.
