Rubrics: Online tools to support student assessment

What are rubrics?

Rubrics are scoring tools or instruments which establish the performance criteria used to grade student work products e.g. essays, assignments, presentations and projects. Rubrics also establish the levels of achievement that are possible, for example, a rubric can establish achievement levels from novice to intermediate through to expert.

How to use rubrics to assess students' work

Rubrics are useful because they communicate to students, teachers' expectations for their submitted work. Rubrics promote transparency in the grading process - students are aware of the criteria that will be used to assess their work. Rubrics are also useful because they promote fair and efficient grading.

Here is a more in-depth discussion on rubrics at TeachersFirst. It talks about how rubrics can be created and used.

Below is a list of free online rubric tools which you can explore and use in your instructional practice.

List of free online rubric tools

iRubric

Quick Rubric

Teach-nology Rubric

Annenberg Learner

Rubistar