Rubric: Rubistar

Summary

            A rubric is a document that students receive before beginning a project that outlines what quality work will earn them the grade they are striving for. Rubrics are created in a chart format with anywhere from one to five columns and rows, generally. Columns are labeled with points or quality descriptors (excellent, acceptable, needs improvement, unsatisfactory, etc.) from lowest to highest or vice versa. Rows are labeled with the product characteristics the teacher will be looking for and grading on (organization, spelling, required elements, design, etc.). The grid is filled in with specific product descriptions that correspond with one quality descriptor and one product characteristic each. Students should be able to read the rubric to determine what work needs to be done to receive the mark. After a project is completed, the teacher highlights the product descriptions that match the level of work met by the student; this serves as feedback, giving the student an idea of their strengths and what they could do better next time.

            Rubrics do not need to be fancy, a title, a spot for the student’s name, and a small grid is all that is needed. There is a “fancy” website however, that allows teachers to choose a rubric type, based upon the type of assignment, create a rubric by simply filling in a grid, and sharing or saving the rubric. The website is called Rubistar and it makes it possible for teachers to create and store rubrics in minutes simply by registering. Once a rubric has been created, it can be downloaded as an Excel document, saved as an offline browser document, or printed.

What I Did

            I created a rubric for a fifth grade, end of unit brochure using Rubistar. I created my rubric for a specific project, but another teacher may find that the product descriptions I used are nondescript enough to be used for various other projects. Rubistar gives suggestions for product characteristics to look for in a project which gave me inspiration for my choices. I chose my quality descriptors based on an elementary grading system I am familiar with (O=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Needs Improvement). As the project would be an end of unit assessment, I decided to replace, “Needs Improvement” with “Unacceptable” as would expect my students to have the very basic tools necessary to meet expectations that would earn them a mark of “Satisfactory.” With Rubistar, I was given more grid boxes than I needed. I left them black and they were not included in my final product. Once I was finished, I downloaded my rubric, then uploaded it Google Drive so I could share it with you and embed it into my Google Site.

How I Would Use It

            I like to involve students in making their own decisions within the classroom when reasonable. I believe that including students in decision making regarding major projects and grades gives students added responsibility and motivates them set and strive to achieve educational goals. By creating rubrics with students, they are allowed to participate in this decision making role. Rubistar could be used with a projector or SmartBoard and would be a great resource to use in the classroom that will help guide student and teacher to create effective rubrics that all can agree upon and understand.

What I Learned

I am by no means an expert at creating rubrics. I am still in the learning process when it comes to developing assessment materials. I have taken courses in the past in which the Rubistar website was suggested for rubric creation. However, this is the first time that I have developed a rubric on my own and the first time I have used this resource. I have not been in a position where I needed to create my own rubric yet, as teachers often share rubrics online although, I do imagine that this resource will be a valuable resource in my student teaching placement and as a future teacher.

 

Standards Reflection

            Incorporating Rubistar in the classroom in the ways I’ve described, meets at least two components of the ISTE-NETS-T’s standards. Standard three “a” requires teachers to synthesize prior knowledge with knowledge (learning) of new technologies to demonstrate ability to use technological applications successfully. Every teacher should know how to create a rubric using paper and pencil. Some teachers will also know how to create rubrics in Excel or Word. Teachers who apply such knowledge to an unfamiliar, digital resource like Rubistar, meet this standard. Also, standard two “b” encourages teachers to bring technology into the classroom in ways that will motivate students to set their own educational goals and assess their progress. Students are able to accomplish both of these when they are provided with a rubric and/or opportunities to collaborate on the rubric creation process therefore, teachers who use Rubistar with their students met this standard as well.