I like to use a variety of assessments to assure that my students are learning in my classes. As a continuation of my thirteen colonies infomercial project, I knew I had to have a way to evaluate the products that my students created. I needed to create a rubric for this assignment that I am going to give my students. "What is a rubric?" you ask? According to Kenesaw State University, “A rubric is an authentic assessment tool used to measure students' work. It is a scoring guide that seeks to evaluate a student's performance based on the sum of a full range of criteria rather than a single numerical score.” I knew immediately that this is the way I wanted to grade my students.
I normally use a more holistic rubric, one where you list all the items which are in a category together; however, in this assignment I wanted to weight each category with a different percentage. In my research I found this would be more similar to an Analytic rubric (definition by Jon Mueller). I knew that I would have to be careful. After reading "Calculating Grades with Rubrics" by Tammy Andrew, I wanted to make sure that all students received a meaningful grade based on the importance of what I wanted them to learn from the assignment. I sat down to create a list of the most important items through which my students can demonstrate their knowledge of the subject.
In addition to having my list of important items, I wanted to find a website to help in developing a rubric. I chose iRubric, a website that not only will help me write my rubric but will also help in my grading of the students' projects. I went through the options that this wonderful website offered. I found this website very user-friendly and can see myself using this very often in the future. If you want to check out my great new rubric, I have added it below. Let me know if you see any changes that might be needed.
I love the title of your rubric, Colony Infomercial, very appropriate! I also used the irubric website, I felt out of the ones that were offered this one was easiest for me to use. I like your lay out and you laid out exactly what you are expecting your students to do in the project. I never thought to use the unsatisfactory and outstanding keys; I may add that into mine. Moving forward, I can’t wait to see your final project, I love all the assignments where history is the subject!
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteI like that in your rubric you put the instructions listed at the top of the rubric. I also like that you put the amount of points for each of the categories. The one thing that I struggled with on your blog is arrowing down to see the rest of your rubric created in iRubric. I also created mine in iRubric so I went back and looked at my blog to see if maybe it was just a slow internet connection, but I was able to arrow down on mine. Maybe this is a question I should direct our professor. Overall, I think you have done an amazing job with your webquest and I cannot wait to see the final project!
I think your rubric was very well constructed and is extremely clear for your students to understand. I hope that in one of our future classes you can share the holistic rubric you were referring to. I actually found the rubric assignment a little trickier than I thought. As you mentioned the rubric is not only for the student's reference but can help the teacher grade equitably which is something I had not thought about much before this class, probably because I don't have a classroom of my own. You designed a great tool that I am sure your students will appreciate. I looked at your Curriculum Page and I am very impressed. Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on many aspects about rubric. Teachers should develop rubrics to help students see what quality work looks like. It will also help students to be independent and be able to judge their own work and be responsible on their assignment. A rubric also helps the teacher explain to their students why they got the grade they received. Parents can have an idea on what is expected on a project that is assigned to complete at home. Good job on your rubric!
ReplyDeleteYou said, "I normally use a more holistic rubric, one where you list all the items which are in a category together; however, in this assignment I wanted to weight each category with a different percentage."
ReplyDeleteI go back and forth on the whole analytic versus holistic rubric debate. When grading projects with more than one discrete component, I tend to lean towards analytic rubrics. When grading essays, though, analytic rubrics drive me insane! I much prefer a holistic rubric even though I know it is more subjective. I guess that is why we have multiple types, right?
You said, "I chose iRubric, a website that not only will help me write my rubric but will also help in my grading of the students' projects."
Apparently I was one of the few, the proud, who went with Rubistar. I've heard great things about iRubric and will probably try it in the future, but I've been using Rubistar for a few years now and am really comfortable with the layout. I am intrigued by the idea of automatic caluclation, but I'm not sure how that would work practically. How does the student find out the areas of improvement? Does it give you a report for each student?
I suppose these are the things I need to research.
Thanks for your post!
Kelley