Rubrics for teaching Rubrics for learning

Dannelle D. Stevens, Ph.D. Portland State University

Overview of Keynote
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What is a rubric? Do you need a rubric? What do rubrics have to do with learning? How do rubrics narrow the gap between teaching & learning? What effects do rubrics have on student learning? What effects do rubrics have on your teaching?

What is a rubric?

A rubric is a way to grade student work. It is a description of the assignment or task laid out on a grid.
It has 4 basic parts:
TASK DESCRIPTION DIMENSIONS SCALE or levels of performance DESCRIPTION OF THE DIMENSIONS

A rubric looks like this.

The word rubric comes from

From Latin, rubrica red earth for coloring, red chalk. That part of any work in early manuscripts and typography which was colored red, to distinguish it from other portions. A heading printed in red or a special type. A rubric today retains its connection to authoritative rule and particularly to redness. Rubrics divide an assignment up into its component parts and provide a detailed description of what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable leves of performance for each of its parts.

Do you need a rubric?

If you agree with at least three of the following statements, you need a rubric

What do rubrics have to do with student learning?

1. Developmental differences 2. Life experiences 3. Paragraph reading

====> Constructivism. Learners construct meaning based on their own experience.

The communication gap

How do rubrics narrow the gap between learning and teaching?

One way. Students like rubrics It was the reason I took this class. Someone said you had clear rubrics. clarity, clarity, clarity Rubrics help break down the assignment into digestible parts in a very clear, organized manner. I find that I read the rubric, write my paper and then go back to check to see if I have everything. If not, I add. I often put in more that the rubric states. I loved them

What effect do rubrics have on student learning?

Increase student learning through better, more timely feedback Increases motivation because of clear expectations Guide students to be more independent learners, monitor their own work better: increase metacognition Improve communication with tutors, writing center, peers

What effect do rubrics have on your teaching?

Reduce grading time More consistency in grading Fewer office visits by befuddled students Less time in class describing a complex assignment Able to check where students are not learning- organization, ideas, formatting?? Greater clarity for you, too.

A final note

Lets narrow the gap between what we teach and what students learn by using rubrics.