Rubrics

     A scoring rubric is used to define a standard performance for a desired process.  I use Rubrics in my classroom for various projects I have students complete.  The first job I was able to get in the school system in my county was teaching Tech Ed. or as it is better known woodshop.  I used rubrics in teaching that course frequently for various projects.  In my classroom today teaching History my projects range from map creation, timeline creation, research, or as my example below shows Web quest activities. 
     Using Rubistar to create a rubric as become as simple as point and click.  Rubistar provides a wide variety of topics to choose from when it comes to creating your rubric.  The grading criteria is also simple to choose as you look down the ones that are already created for you, however if you don't see what you like then you can simply type in your own.
     For my example rubric I created one to assess my students on a web quest.  Parts of this web quest required students to create a blabberize and an Animoto.  I was able to easily add to the rubric what I was looking for in these two elements by simply typing in what I wanted.  Also on my rubric I placed a range of points a student could achieve for each marker.  I placed this range because I feel it allows me to be fairer when grading as well as lets me give better feedback on the smaller details.  On the day I introduce this project I pass out to each student a copy of the rubric so they can have it with them as they work thru the assigned tasks.  I have also emailed this in the past to students who have requested it. 


Multimedia Project: Web quest Activity Civics


Nets-T-Standards

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
     Sub-standard C deals with promoting student reflection using collaborative tools.  I feel that using a tool such as Rubistar to create a rubric will allow students to reflect back on their project and then collaborate with the teacher to improve the project or to gain clarification on why they achieved the score they received.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
     Sub-standard D applies to this because we are supplying students not only with varied formative and summative assessments but we are providing them with guidelines for each step of the way with the rubric.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
     Sub-standard B in my mind reflects directly to the use of Rubistar.  By using Rubistar and sharing the rubric using Google Drive I can send this directly to parents and students.  If a parent sees something that their child might have problems with or have difficulty gaining the resources for they can inform the teacher about this.  This open collaboration between teacher, student and parent would solve a lot of problems before they even began.