Rubrics 101

• A presentation at the SUS Faculty Retreat

• November 3, 2012

• Tim P. Brown, Graphics/Web Instructor, SCTD

• Sheree P. Koppel, Academic Dean, SCTD

Today we will:

• Define rubric

• List the steps in creating a rubric

• Create a simple rubric

• Determine uses as instructional tools

What is a rubric?

Defined as:

Rubric: a guide listing specific

criteria for grading or scoring

academic papers, projects or

tests.

In Education;

Rubric: a tool developed by

instructors to assess the

performances of their

students.

A Rubric includes:

• the learning objective being assessed

• the criteria that students must address

• the levels of quality at which a student

may perform

• descriptions of each level of quality for

each criterion

• point values for each level of quality for

each criterion

A Rubric includes:

• the learning objective being assessed

• the criteria that students must address

• the levels of quality at which a student

may perform

• descriptions of each level of quality for

each criterion

• point values for each level of quality for

each criterion

A Rubric includes:

• the learning objective being assessed

• the criteria that students must address

• the levels of quality at which a student

may perform

• descriptions of each level of quality for

each criterion

• point values for each level of quality for

each criterion

A Rubric includes:

• the learning objective being assessed

• the criteria that students must address

• the levels of quality at which a student

may perform

• descriptions of each level of quality for

each criterion

• point values for each level of quality for

each criterion

A Rubric includes:

• the learning objective being assessed

• the criteria that students must address

• the levels of quality at which a student

may perform

• descriptions of each level of quality for

each criterion

• point values for each level of quality for

each criterion

Why I started using rubrics.

• Why use rubrics in your instruction efforts?

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers question asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers question asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers question asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers question asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers questions asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers question asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Why use rubrics?

1. Provides students with a blueprint for

success

2. Defines quality

3. Makes grading easier

4. Makes grading more objective

5. Answers question asked by students

6. Clarifies expectations for students

7. Gives choice and allows for creativity

Steps to create a rubric

Steps to create a rubric

1. Record the performance objective

“You will bake a cup cake.”

Steps to create a rubric

2. Define criteria

a. Presentation

b. Taste

c. Texture

d. Originality

e. Written explanation of the process

Steps to create a rubric

3. Identify the levels of quality

a. Outstanding

b. Above average

c. Average

d. Below average

e. Try again

Steps to create a rubric

4. Describe each level of quality

a. Made batter from scratch

b. Modified a box cake mix

c. Used a box cake mix

d. Failed to follow directions on box mix

e. Did not make a cupcake

Steps to create a rubric

5. Assign a point value to each level

a. 40 pts- very high quality

b. 30 pts- above average

c. 20 pts- average

d. 10 pts- below average

e. 0 pts- did not attempt task or complete

task

Steps to create a rubric

6. Create the rubric table

Work in groups to complete the rest of the

rubric table we provided, using the

Originality portion we created as an

example for other criteria.

Using Rubrics Instructionally

• What are some ways you can think of that you could use the rubric as an instructional tool?

• Why scaffold the use of these potential instructional uses of rubrics?

Using Rubrics Instructionally

• Give the students the rubric when you give them the grade earned on a project or assignment.

• Give the rubric to students before they begin an assignment or project.

• Show students examples of finished products that are of varying quality and have them assess the quality of the examples, using the rubric.

• Let students use the rubric to assess their own work prior to submitting it for a grade.

• Let students use the rubric to assess each other’s work prior to submitting it for a grade.

• Review the rubric with students prior to making an assignment and negotiate criteria descriptions of quality.

• Work with students to develop the rubric from scratch.

Rubric Resources

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubric

http://www.assessmentfocus.com/rubrics-rubric-makers.php

http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/eta/Rubric_Tutorial/default.htm

Creating Rubrics: Improve Assessments, Assignments and

Outcomes Webinar available through:

http://www.myeducation.com