CTVSD2/Rubrics/Introduction

What are rubrics and why you should use them

A rubric is a set of criteria that includes descriptions of levels of performance on the criteria. Sounds more simple than it is. This simple definition makes it clear that rubrics have two major aspects:

• sets of criteria and
• descriptions of levels of performance for these criteria.

The main purpose of rubrics is to assess performance. You can use them when you observe the learner in the process of doing something, like using an electric drill or solving a problem, or when you observe the product that is the result of the learner’s work, like a finished bookshelf or a written report.

Below is a list of some common types of performance that can be assessed with rubrics for you to get an idea when you can use them.

Type of performance	Examples
Processes Physical skills Work habits Use of equipment Oral communication	Playing an instrument Doing a cartwheel Preparing timber for cutting Communicating to a customer Testing a faulty computer Working independently
Products Constructed objects Written reports Models or other visual representations to demonstrate understanding of concepts	Wooden bookshelf Set of welds Coffee Cooked meal A drawing Business report Set of business accounts and records Model or diagram of a structure Concept map

What is good about rubrics is that they are descriptive rather than evaluative. They are developed to match the performance to the description rather than "judge" it. There are instances you may come across, in which the performance descriptions are called ‘judgment statements’ as they assist the assessor to make a judgement or a decision on the performance.

Assessment rubrics are as good as the criteria selected (the elements of the assessed performance) and the descriptions of the levels of performance under each criteria. To design effective rubrics you need to have appropriate criteria and well-written descriptions of performance or 'judgment statements'.

If you are not familiar with rubrics we recommend you view the following videos and resources before you start working on your rubric.

Video introduction to rubrics

If you are new to assessment rubrics and rubric design you may find viewing the following videos useful.

This 15 minutes video will introduce you to assessment rubrics and provide you with some tips how to design them. A PDF downloadable version of the presentation is available here.

The next 15 minute video highlights the most common mistakes in rubric design and how to recognise and avoid them.

A PDF downloadable version of the presentation is available here.

Recommended resources

Chapter 1. What Are Rubrics and Why Are They Important? from the book How to Create and Use Rubrics for Formative Assessment and Grading by Susan M. Brookhart covers; - what is a rubric, - the purpose of rubrics, - types of rubrics and their advantages and disadvantages, - why rubrics important, and - how they can help teachers teach and learners learn. The context and provided examples relate to the schools sector but they are valid and transferable to training and workplace based learning.

This resource provides an overview of rubrics, when to use them, the benefits of using them and the challenges that come with their use, as well as some strategies and case studies.

This instructional guide for the university faculty of Northern Illinois University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning provides simple explanations and examples of the elements of rubrics for assessment and how to design them.

When ready click next to see some examples of draft rubrics and completed rubrics, as well as additional resources to assist you when designing your rubrics.