 Grading can be a hassle, but there is a tool to make this chore easier and more objective. A rubric is a scoring tool that communicates the specific expectations for an assignment. Rubrics divide an assignment into its component parts and provide a detailed description of the levels of performance (or competency) for each of those parts. Usually a rubric is laid out in tables or matrices.
There are several types of rubrics.
- Holistic – This is a generic rubric which may be used for several assignments.
- Checklists – These are lists of criteria that may be checked off as completed.
- Task specific – These rubrics have strict criteria based upon a specific assignment.
- Combination Rubrics – as the name implies can be a combination of the above rubrics.
There are several advantages of using rubrics. Rubrics
- assist with communicating grading criteria;
- allow the assessment to be more objective;
- focus the instructor to clarify grading criteria;
- provide feedback regarding the effectiveness of the instruction.
Rubrics may have their advantages but they also have their limitations. Inconsistencies in rubric design can limit its validity. If the descriptions of performance criteria are vague they will be useless when it comes time to grade student performance. This next section explains how to design and use rubrics.
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