Effective Grading: Rubrics as Tools for Grading

Presented by Alix DardenAdapted from a presentation by:

Spencer Benson, Director Center for Teaching Excellence

University of Maryland

7 Principles for Good Practice(Chickering & Gamson, 1987)

1. Encourages student-faculty contact2. Encourages cooperation among students3. Encourages active learning4. Gives prompt feedback5. Emphasizes time on task6. Communicates high expectations7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning

Watch the Following Video The video is of a persuasion speech URL = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYtm8uEo5vU Give the Presentation a letter grade

Collection of Scores A B C D F

What are RubricsTools for assessment management

Helps keep grading consistent Save time Promote student learning Convey feedback Help students understand what is

expected Help students understand their

grade

Why use a rubric?

Why Use a Rubric? Saves time and effort Refines and improves one’s teaching Allows for increased consistency of grading Provide timely feedback to students Helps prepare students to use feed back Facilitates communication about assignments and

criteria (transparency) Enhances student learning and engagement

Examples of Rubrics

What is wrong with this rubric rubric

Collection of Responses “What’s Wrong”

1. Nothing2. Too few traits3. Too many traits4. Too few levels 5. Too many levels

Why

is th

is on

e be

tter?

The Nature of the Rubric is Essential With the first rubric: A diverse panel of faculty

scored samples of student writing. We observed a wide range of differences in scores, e.g. for the same item

With the second rubric: A diverse panel of graduate students gave consistent scoring of a large sample of similar student writings

Rubric Help Student LearningWhen students know what is expected the work

product is often better Better student products = easier grading When student understand the grading criteria

there are less complaints Less student complaints = more time

Lets Watch the Following Video Again

This time use the supplied rubric (handout, white paper) to assign a score 0-100

Rubric for Scoring The Speech

TOTAL SCORE = accumulated points X 5 + 10 ________________________ 

15 X 5 = 25 +10 = 85

Rubrics allow faster grading

Rubrics allow for peer review

Rubrics allow you to look at specific components of

student learning

Constructing a Rubric1) Reflect

What do you want from the students, e.g. what is goal of the assignment/assessment?

2) List The specific criteria/objectives

3) Group and Label Group similar objectives

4) Apply Develop the rubric

5) Refine Adjust the rubric

A Three Level RubricDimensions Exemplary Competent Developing

The things that you are looking for

Content

Presentation

Analysis

A Three Level RubricDimensions Exemplary Competent Developing

Knowledge and Understanding

30%0-30 points

Thinking/Inquiry30%

0-30 points

Grammar/Writing20%

0-20 points

Creativity/Innovation20%

0-20 points

A Three Level RubricDimensions Exemplary

Do this first

1

CompetentThen do this

one last

3

DevelopingDo this next

2Relevant Content Prefect Adequate Awful

Clear Argument

Conclusion

Citations

On-Line resourceRubistar

RubiStar http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

Things to Consider Adapt existing rubrics Use the rubric as a short cut to reduce grading

time Check boxes Circle the characteristics

Provide the rubric with the assignment Makes grading more transparent Helps students know what is expected

Involve students in developing the rubric

Resources The Effects of Instructional Rubrics on Learning to Write

http://cie.asu.edu/volume4/number4/ Scoring rubrics: what, when and how?

Scoring rubrics: what, when and how?. Moskal, Barbara M. Create Your Own Rubrics Online

RubiStar http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php Rubrics Generator (free)

http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Reflections How might you use rubrics in your SoTL

project? Where in your assessment of student learning

would a rubric help you determine what learning is and is not developing in the students?