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Are your grades always consistent?
Do your assessments of student assignments foster a greater understanding
of the learning process, or do they simply bruise young egos? Have
you involved your students as much as you can in peer and self-evaluation?
Constructing successful rubrics can help
you answer yes to all of these questions.
Rubrics represent a simple yet effective
way to add three dimensions to your grading process. This article
provides a quick overview of how to build and use
rubrics.
Building Rubrics
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A rubric is
a grid with a list of criteria juxtaposed against varying levels
of quality. Do not include too many or too few criteria.
Five is typically ideal. |
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Every assignment is different,
and so is every class. Although many websites provide ready-made
rubrics, only you can create rubrics specifically crafted
for your needs. |
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Before creating your rubric,
look back over student work you've graded in the past. Which
criteria have you overlooked? Have you valued certain qualities
more than you should have? Try to create a rubric that will
address your weaknesses. |
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Building a successful rubric
is hard, and it should be. If you're using rubrics to determine
grades, you must be sure your rubric is airtight and can
be defended against any grade protest. |
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Keep your rubric simple
and easy to understand. Limit the use of academic language.
At the same time, be sure your rubric isn't vague. The levels
of quality should be clearly defined. |
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Use numbers instead of
words for the varying levels of quality. Try to use an even
amount of gradations rather than odd, as students won't have
the easy option of putting others in the middle during peer
assessment. |
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Use distinct definitions
to mark quality. Don't be too vague. |
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Use phrases that will allow
students to understand their mistakes without hurting their
feelings. |
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When building rubrics for
younger students, consider using graphics instead of words.
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Using Rubrics
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Your goal when using rubrics
should be to make expectations of your students as clear
as possible to them. Make sure you explain this when distributing
rubrics. |
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Before using rubrics to judge
student work, have the entire class use a sample rubric to
judge a model essay. If the students have an understanding
of how the rubric works, they'll be better able to gear their
assignments towards its standards. |
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When handing out any rubric,
review it with the class. Consider using an overhead.
Be sure that your students understand every criteria and each
varying level of quality. |
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Always distribute the grading
rubric at the same time as the assignment. This will allow
students to have a greater understanding of the assignment itself.
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A good rubric should yield
fairly consistent results no matter who the user is. |
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Consider sending rubrics
home to parents so that they'll be able to help with their
child's learning process more effectively. |
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Ask your fellow teachers
for input. Feel free to share rubrics. The more collaboration
you have, the closer you'll come to creating a standard grading
criteria throughout your school. |
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Rubrics are extremely useful
for peer-assessment. Consider using peer-assessment,
followed by a revision period, before requiring students to
hand in assignments. |
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Have students use rubrics
to assess their own work. As students learn honest self-analysis,
their work will improve. |
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As students become more familiar
with the use of rubrics, try to design future rubrics with
their collaboration. Involve them in the learning process
and they'll be more likely to participate. |
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Use rubrics to judge your
effectiveness as a teacher. As your students learn and grow
from the use of rubrics, so should you. |
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