Introduction
Rubrics' criteria break down performance expectations into a list of dimensions (also called competencies, assignment aspects, skills, etc.). Each dimension contains descriptions articulating ranges of high to low-performance outcomes. When shared early, the criteria will promote goal-oriented and actionable performance, especially for assignments without a clear right or wrong answer. Rubric’s feedback and score also promote fairness, transparency, and consistency across participants.
Resources
- Brightspace rubrics
- In-depth Rubric Guide in Brightspace
- Grant, Wiggins, 7 keys to effective feedback
- Laney College, Rubrics
- To request more information or a consultation, please email steinhardtDIL@nyu.edu
Brightspace Rubrics
- Analytic
- Supports multiple dimensional achievement criteria composed of columns and rows. There is grading weighting and points, custom points, and text scoring.
- Useful for assessing complex tasks requiring multiple skills and areas.
- Holistic
- Supports one-dimensional achievement criterion with only percentage or text scoring.
Tips & Suggestions
- Promote clear expectations for participants.
- Useful for assignments without clear right or wrong answers.
- May simplify grading by promoting structure and organization.
- Adding descriptions into dimensions models performance expectations.
- May reduce arguments or confusion over grading outcomes.
- Share the rubric ahead of time to promote participants staying on track toward goals.
- Add rubric(s) into:
- The syllabus.
- Brightspace assignment. Note a rubric is visible on a submission page after adding it to the assignment.
- Existing Brightspace rubrics can be reused for different assignments.
- The consistency of rubrics and the feedback saves time in grading. Another benefit is timely feedback for participants.
- The consistency of rubrics may identify areas that need improvement in the curriculum.
- Participants can reflect on their performance against clear criteria.
Grading
- Add a rubric to a Brightspace assignment. When creating an assignment, select “Evaluation & Feedback” on the right side. Select “Add rubric” and select either “create new” or “add existing”.
- Rubrics will be found on the assignment submission’s evaluation page. The rubric dimensions are selectable and automatically update the score value.
- Rubrics and scores can be viewed by participants after feedback is published.