A Rubric is a management tool which presents the framework for the assessment criteria for the upcoming assignment and which students may use while answering the assignment. The tool is constructed by the teacher and makes explicit specific learning outcomes and expectations to the concrete assignment so as to ensure consistent assessment. It may also form the basis of feedback once the students have submitted their products.
Research shows that visible and clear learning objectives are important navigation tools in the students’ learning process. Working with Rubrics helps to clarify and increase the students’ understanding as to where and when they should invest their energy, as well as which strategies and ways of thinking they need to use to achieve their goals. For teachers, Rubrics have the advantage that they can be used to provide faster and more consistent assessment and feedback on students’ assignments.
As a teacher you must create a Rubric for the concrete assignment based on the learning objectives that are relevant for the course. Creating Rubrics may be time-consuming for the teacher the first time they do so, but it is very likely that they can be reused. A simple Rubric consists of four parts:
type of submitted work (presentation, poster, written assignment etc.)
expectations regarding student participation in activities (e.g. group collaboration during and outside of scheduled teaching sessions)
possible requirements regarding the use of certain tools
An assignment description containing information about:
A scale describing to which extent the submitted work meets the different objectives. Level formulations must be precise and may consist of: High level, average level, beginner level or accomplished, capable and beginner. There are no rules as to how many grading scale steps a Rubric should contain. Numbers or grades may also be used, of course.
Knowledge and understanding 20%
Thinking and exploration 20%
Communication 20%
Use of visual aids 20%
A list of learning objectives prepared on the basis of the concrete learning outcome requirements for the course. No rules apply as to how many learning objectives a Rubric may contain, but it may appear as follows in weighted percentages:
You may also specify the criteria in order of priority if they do not carry equal weight in the assessment.
