Building Rubrics for Graded Lab Assignments: A Helpful Hand up a Steep Slope

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2014, Volume 35

Hans D. Lemke & Michael J. Keller

Abstract

Assessment of student comprehension and performance in the biology teaching laboratory is often accomplished through the use of rubrics. This exercise explores what a rubric is (and what it is not), the benefits and pitfalls of using them, and best practices for building rubrics. A universally approachable problem, the judging of chocolate chip cookies, is employed to model the rubric development process and promote discussion of issues to consider when building rubrics for lab assignments. Participants then work in small groups to develop a lab assignment rubric.

Keywords:  grading, grading rubrics, assessment

University of Calgary (2013)