Module 4:

Involving Learners with the Creation of Rubrics

Rubrics serve as motivational tools for students, especially when they are involved in the process of creating them. As educators, it is important to create assessments that encourage learners to work towards higher achievement levels. When students are involved in the creation process, they have a clearer understanding of the expectations, standards, and gradations of the assignment. Being involved in this process offers them a voice in their learning.

Consider using a few rubrics you have created and review them with your learners. Ask them to analyze them and discuss their observations. This can be the first step in the creative process. As students become more familiar with the purpose of rubrics, ask them to assist you in designing a rubric for your next class assignment.

Students feel more empowered and their learning becomes more focused and self-directed when they are involved in the creation of a rubric. When learners design their own assessment tools, intrinsic motivation occurs and this also makes it easier to hold them to the standards that they have set in place. As they invest a significant amount of time and commitment into a project, they typically want to participate in creating the assessment for that same project. The development of a rubric is a reflective process. It extends beyond simply turning in a project, and those involved in creating a rubric have a concrete understanding of how to reach certain benchmarks.

Children pointing at computer