What is a rubric?
In simple terms, a rubric is a tool that lists evaluation criteria for an assignment. Rubrics can help students to organise their efforts to meet the requirements of an assignment. Instructors can use rubrics to explain their evaluations to students. A rubric clearly indicates marking criteria. It can be used for marking assignments, class participation, or overall grades.
About rubrics
Rubrics in Blackboard Learn are made up of rows and columns. The rows correspond to the various criteria for an assignment. The columns correspond to the level of achievement expressed for each criterion. A description and point value for each cell in the rubric defines the evaluation and score of an assignment. There is no limit to the number of rubrics that can be created.
Example of a typical rubric
A typical marking rubric contains the assessment marking criteria, the level scale and the associated level descriptors. Marking criteria will elaborate on the module learning outcome(s) and will provide the finer detail of what is expected in submitted work. The associated descriptors will differentiate between levels of performance.
Criteria | 50-59% | 60-69% | 70-79% | 80-100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Spelling and grammar | Several errors | A few errors | Some errors | No errors |
Knowledge of | Demonstrates limited knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates some knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates considerable knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies | Demonstrates thorough and insightful knowledge of forms, conventions, terminology, and strategies |
Critical and creative thinking skills | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with limited effectiveness | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with moderate effectiveness | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with considerable effectiveness | Uses critical and creative thinking skills with a high degree of effectiveness |
Communication of information and ideas | Communicates information and ideas with limited clarity | Communicates information and ideas with some clarity | Communicates information and ideas with considerable clarity | Communicates information and ideas with a high degree of clarity and with confidence |
Rubric types in Blackboard
There are three rubric types in Blackboard:
Standard rubric - this is a quantitative rubric which allows you to enter scale values and criteria percentages. The maximum value for the standard rubric will be the same as the highest scale value entered.
Qualitative rubric - allows you to create a rubric that has no numeric scoring.
Custom rubric - this less commonly used rubric allows you to enter any value directly into the rubric cells. The maximum value for the custom rubric will be the sum of the highest value entered in each of the criteria rows.
A standard/ quantitative rubric in Blackboard uses Points and Percentage to calculate an overall grade. Select No Points to provide a rubric with no scoring which provides qualitative feedback only. This gives you a purely descriptive rubric, which does not assign a grade automatically, but allows you to indicate to students how well they have performed against each assessment criterion.
Sample Blackboard Rubrics
The Centre for Digital Learning Enhancement have created some sample Blackboard Learn Rubrics for staff, based on the Ulster University Assessment and Feedback Handbook. Rubrics are commonly referred to as Quantitative (include scale values and criteria percentages) and Qualitative (no numeric scoring).
Creating rubrics
The guidance below shows how to set up a standard/ quantitative rubric.
Overall workflow for creating rubrics:
add the rubric
define its criteria
specify achievement levels
add weights and percentages
Login to Blackboard.
Select the programme you will be working in from the Course List.
From the Control Panel select the Course Tools link. The Course Tools menu will expand.
Select the Rubrics link. The Rubrics page will open.
Type a Name for the Rubric. The name is the title text that identifies the rubric.
Enter a description of the rubric to make it easier to associate it to relevant assignments.
To edit the Rubric Grid:
Select Add Row to add a new criterion at the bottom of the grid.
Select Add Column to add a new level of achievement to the grid.
Select Show Points to enter a single point value for each Level of Achievement.
Select Show Point Range to enter a high and low value to create a point range for each Level of Achievement. Only one option can be selected.
Select Edit from the contextual menu of the labels identifying rows and columns to change their names.
Enter a point value or range of values for each cell.
Enter a description defining the criteria and the associated Level of Achievement.
Select the Submit button to save your Rubric.
Example of an Instructor rubric set up in an assignment
Example seen from an actual student feedback perspective in 'Gradecentre’
How to Apply a Rubric in the Grade Center
Access the Grade Center.
Find the column you would like to associate your Rubric with. From the contextual menu of that column, select View and Add Rubrics. A pop-up will open.
Select Add Rubric.
Select the Rubric you want to add.
Select the Submit button.
You will be returned to the pop-up page. There are two icons under the Actions column, View Rubric or Remove Rubric Association. When you select View Rubric, the Rubric will open in a new window for you to view while you are grading your student's assignments.
Using the Rubric to mark offline assignments
Having created a Rubric, you’re not simply limited to using it with the built-in tools.
Access the Grade Center.
Select the Create Column button.
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