George,
Definitely. If they are not connected to the objectives (and even the course learning outcomes), students will not understand why they are doing what they are doing. Thanks!
Rubrics should be evaluated to make sure that they align with the objective of the assignment.
Sabrina,
Excellent. I am thrilled you brought up the topic of students with disabilities. Rubrics should be designed to help all involved. Thank you.
One of the reasons why I should evaluate my rubric is to make sure that it is an effective tool for me to use and that I am providing the correct information to my students'. The Content is clear, straight to the point, and includes a lot of important information. As for Clarity, I will list an example for students’ on how to improve on their weaknesses, explain terms in detail, and make sure that all levels are well defined. For Practicality, I will make sure the level of scoring aligns with students’ performance so that he/she can understand why he/she received a particular score. For instance, student essay includes misspelled words and improper grammar usage, student receives a score (-5pts). However, my positive feedback will be utilize Word Spell Check Command to proofread an essay. Lastly, Technical Quality/Fairness, I will have two rubrics which one will be for students' with a learning disability. I will grade slightly different; yet student will still have an understanding why he/she received a particular grade.
Sabrina Sanders
Tom,
You are right that rubrics should not be set in stone. You have to review them to make sure they are doing what you need them to do and are providing meaningful feedback to the students. Thanks!
In the past I have used one rubric over two or more sessions before revising it. It important to revise the rubrics based on the changes in syllabus, course materials, and students' feedback. Rubrics should not be engraved in stone. Change is the only constant and all rubrics should be modified and changed to meet students' needs. Constructive changes, updates, and revisions are key to maintain rubric reliability. Thanks, Tom
Tim,
We do have to evaluate the rubrics to make sure they are measuring what they are supposed to measure and make sure they are connected the learning objectives. Thanks!
To make sure the information is being used in the correct manner. It gives you feedback
Albert,
Practice does make perfect. . .or at least better. I don't know if I ever feel my rubrics are perfect, but they are tons better then when I first began. Keep moving forward.
In order to achieve a consistant quality level, as I develop rubrics I realize that I'm getting better at it and need to go back over the earlier ones I created.
When I go back over the rubrics, I'm looking for accuracy, consistency, fairness, and completeness.
Phyllis,
We have to evaluate everything - including rubrics. We need to ask if they are measuring what we want them to measure and if they are reliable in that measurement. Thank you.
You need to evaluate the rubrics you use because if you don't you will not have an effective way to know how they are working. You can ask yourself is there room for improvement, etc... when this comes into effect.
Sharon,
Definitely. These are two key words when using rubrics. As we evaluate the rubrics, then we should make changes where necessary. Thanks!
Traci,
We do need to evaluate all rubrics after we use them and get input from the students to ensure the rubrics are measuring what they need to measure. Thanks for your input.
An instructor should evaluate the rubric they used so that they can validate reliability, consistency.
I think rubrics should be evaluated during each course and after each course. If students continue to have questions about how an assignment will be graded this is an indication that they are either not reading the rubric or the rubric needs to be re-evaluated.
Marcia,
You are so right. We have to make sure the rubrics are measuring what they should be measuring and the criteria are appropriate. This will enhance the use of the rubrics. Thanks!
There are a variety of reasons for evaluating rubrics. To a degree, a rubric could be seen as a work in progress in that iterative analysis may indicate that a rubric would be improved with some changes. Student performance may also indicate taking a second look at a rubric.
Another situation that I have run into involves a change in textbooks. Often terminology in texts on similar topics may be different, and it is difficult for students to utilize information in a rubric if they are not familiar with the appropriate terminology.
Dale,
Right on. After we use a rubric, we should review them to make sure they are assessing what we want them to assess. It's like the course revision process, it's a constant thing. Thanks!
Dale,
There is such a thing a "death by PowerPoint." Ha! It's good to get out of the box. Thanks for your input.
