I hate assessments, but I LOVE rubrics. I can complete most assignments well if I have a rubric.
Why? Because I know EXACTLY what my instructor is looking for if their rubric
is clear. If their rubric is clear, I would almost just take the rubric over
the instructions for the assignment. It tells me what I need to know and what I
am being graded on. People of all ages want clear and accurate directions that
are easy to follow - A.K.A. a Rubric.
I also feel that
rubrics create consistency for the teacher. It takes opinion out of the
equation and helps the teacher/instructor to stay on task when grading many of
the same assignments. As much as a rubric gives the student guidance, it also
gives the teacher guidance - when teaching the material and when grading.
What I did not know
before this reading was the different types of rubrics and I learned some
things I would think to use a rubric for - like class participation. ASCD has a
published book all about rubric, but also has some nice guidelines online. Is
the rubric holistic or analytic; general or task-specific? It lays this
information out in a nice table seen here:
I personally like
task-specific and analytic rubrics, but I think there is a place for all of
them. For example, if you are writing a rubric for a whole unit, it may need to
be more general than for a specific assignment. General rubrics can be handed
to students at the beginning of an assignment, while task-specific rubrics
function more as "scoring direction."
While I see myself
using task-specific rubrics more often, I can now see the need for a general
rubric. "Rubrics help teachers teach…rubrics help students learn." I
said earlier that rubrics can help teachers stay consistent and this doesn't just
go with grading - but also in the classroom. Furthermore, it helps students to
look ahead and see what you may be building up to, which will help them to
organize their learning in your classroom. I am interested in taking some more
time to look into this and maybe read the full book!
References:
Brookhart, S.
(n.d.). Chapter 1. What are Rubrics and Why are they Important?Retrieved
October 8, 2017, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/112001/chapters/What-Are-Rubrics-and-Why-Are-They-Important%C2%A2.aspx.
Karlie, I love all of the points that you make about rubrics. I too find them super easy to use and I also like how I can continuously look back at what is expected instead of trying to remember all of what my professors told me about the assignment. I notice that your blog messed up your table! :(
ReplyDeleteHello Karlie! Before this week's reading, I had no idea there were different types of rubrics! But it makes sense that there are holistic, analytic, and then task-specific and generic formats. It all depends on what you want them to learn. The point you made about rubrics acting as a guide for students is spot on. What are some ways you can give students autonomy while using a rubric?
ReplyDeleteMaybe for some projects or activities we can let students make their own rubrics - or even give them choices within the rubrics! Something to look into for sure!
DeleteHi Karlie! I LOVE the points you make on rubrics. Honestly, I don’t know where i’d be without a rubric and I feel that all students should have access to rubrics as a form of guidance.
ReplyDeleteKarlie, I love rubrics too and used them all the time with my students. Unfortunately, your blog distorted the table you made about the types of rubrics, so it was difficult to see. What are some ways that you see yourself using rubrics during your student teaching internship?
ReplyDeleteI have already created a rubric for a project the horticulture class will be doing!
DeleteI will admit that I was reluctant about using rubrics...but now I love them!
ReplyDeleteThey come in very handy in floral design class!!
Thank you everyone for all the feedback!
ReplyDeleteKarlie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said! I love rubrics for the exact reason you said. It gives students and the teacher an exact item to look for. It also helps remove the opinion factor from influencing the grade. When goals are defined in detail, with the levels clearly defined, it helps prevent against grade variation.
Since I am certified to teach CASE NRE, I LOVE rubrics. It clearly outlines the expectations for students. Thus, if everyone followed the provided rubric and it is thoroughly put together, every student would have the potential to get an A.
ReplyDelete