Understanding Rubric by Heidi Goodrich
In the article Understanding Rubric the author not only defines what rubric is, she tells why you use it and how you use it. So what is rubric? It is a list of criteria for what is expected in a piece of work. It is use to support and assess students learning. A rubric generally tells you exactly what the teacher is looking for. Do teachers like it? Do students like it? Yes and no.
What is a rubric? A rubric is a list that is divided into columns labeled from excellent to poor. The columns are divided into a grid. Each box provides an explanation of what is expected in each column. Some examples might be: purpose, organization, details, voice and mechanics. Each of these examples should be specific on what is considered a good piece of work.
Why use rubrics? The author gives five reasons of why teachers should use a rubric. First, they can improve student performance as well as monitor it by making teacher’s expectations clear. Second, they help students become more thoughtful judges of quality of their own and others’ work. Third, it reduces the amount of time teachers spend grading students’ work. Fourth, it promotes flexibility in learning styles. It can accommodate all type of learners from gate to special needs. Last, they are self-explanatory. It should be easy to use and easy to explain.
How do you create a rubric? A rubric should be modified to each instructors teaching style. Here are the author’s seven steps to creating a quality rubric. 1. Look at models: provide students with a good paper and a bad paper. 2. List criteria: what is important in a project. 3. Articulate gradations of quality: Describe excellent and poor levels of quality. 4. Practice on models: Practice on example papers. 5. Use self- and peer- assessment: Have the students get started and observe their assessments. 6. Revise: After feedback, let students revise their work. 7. Use teacher assessment: Use same rubric as students to assess their work.
A 2nd grade teacher used a rubric for assessing a “book talk.” She wanted students to help her create and use a rubric to describe a book. The students were responsible for defining the excellent to poor criteria. They also performed a self and peer assessment on their reports.
The NETS for students would fall under Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making. It is this standard because it teaches to students to find out what is expected of them for each project.
I think a rubric is beneficial to teachers and students because if made correctly, it will be an important tool to support and evaluate learning.
Sarah-
ReplyDeleteI really didn't know what a rubric was until about 2 years ago... it really didn't make sense to me at first because I was used to A-excellent,B-above average,C-average,D-below average and F-fail. but then reading about how it benefits all students (because you can make it that way)I liked it.
I liked how the students can help design the Rubric so they know exactly what is expected of them and they can work toward what grade they want.It is also a great idea for those kids that do there work (ex:math) a different way, they wont get marked down for not showing their work or doing it the way that they were taught, even though they get the right answer.
I would have liked to have my teachers use a Rubric so I knew exactly what was expected of me instead of turning it in and getting marked down for "not showing work". The parents can get involved...That is a great idea!, so they know what is to be expected and it is catered to how their children learn...again, I wish i had this!
I realize that the hardest part is making one every time you want to "test " the students but it is beneficial for learning and each student
-melissa 422.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review of Understanding Rubric by Heidi Goodrich. I just recently was introduced to them first in our 422 class and then again during my instructional aide job in Physical education. Teachers in my son’s classes have been using it on writing assignments but I personally didn’t understand it or know the advantages it has in grading. I believe it takes out the personal aspect out of grading too. Even in Physical education we are now able to grade on a true ability of a student’s effort instead of how many sit-ups or pushups you can do. I agree with you completely that the rubic is a beneficial tool for both teachers and students to understand what is expected of them and how to objectively grade work. It is an important tool to use for evaluating students performance.
Jax