What Does a DC Connect Rubric Look Like?

Students studying inside at the Whitby campus.

There are two primary types of rubrics supported by DC Connect which are outlined below. However, there are many different types of rubrics which can be used, some of which are included for consideration.

In This Section

Holistic

Holistic rubrics provide an overall snapshot of progress or achievement. They share feedback on where a student is currently situated relative to an outcome without getting into granular detail and provide them with a benchmark to work toward in improving their performance. These rubrics are ideal for formative feedback on initial submissions, draft assignments, and areas in which the overall performance of a task or skill is being assessed.

Note

In Indigenous communities, and in the CTL, the word wholistic is used instead of holistic. This is to ensure that we are considering the whole person as opposed to “holes” made in community due to colonization. It is left as holistic in this section as this is how the rubric type is referred to broadly for ease if completing additional research.

Scale Criteria
4 • At least 4 accurate facts are displayed in the infographic.
• Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics contribute meaning to the overall message.
• All 4 facts have sources identified on the infographic.
3 • At least 3 accurate facts are displayed in the infographic.
• Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement are eye catching and contribute meaning to the overall message.
• 3 facts have appropriate sources identified on the infographic.
2 • At least 2 accurate facts are displayed in the infographic.
• Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics are present but do not contribute to the meaning.
• 2 facts have appropriate sources identified on the infographic.
1 • At least 1 accurate fact is displayed in the infographic.
• Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics are detracting or misleading.
• 1 fact has an appropriate source identified on the infographic.
0 • No accurate facts displayed in the infographic or submission missing.
• Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics are inappropriate.
• Facts do not have appropriate sources identified on the infographic.

Adapted from “Infographic Holistic Rubric” by Cambrian College and licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Advantages

  • Provides emphasis on what the learner can demonstrate, rather than on deficits.
  • Saves grading time by minimizing the number of decisions an instructor needs to make while grading.
  • Can be applied consistently by multiple instructors.
  • It takes less time to create than analytic rubrics.
  • Less complex; easier for students to understand.

Disadvantages

  • Does not provide targeted feedback for improvement.
  • It can be difficult to identify a grade for student work when the work spans various levels within the rubric.
  • Criteria cannot be individually weighted.

Tip

Holistic rubrics are ideal when an instructor has an overall description of what needs to be achieved to meet each level.

Analytical

Analytical rubrics allow for a specific numerical grade and feedback on predetermined "components" of an assessment.  It is a grid that specifies levels of achievement (or performance) as well as categories of assessment requirements.  Analytic rubrics are the most used rubrics as they provide a fulsome outline for the student on how to be successful and assist faculty in ensuring grading remains consistent.

Category Exemplary
(4 Points)		 Proficient
(3 Points)		 Developing
(2 Points)		 Emerging
(1 Point)		 Missing
(0 Points)		 Points Comments
Content
(topic, references, argument)		 4 accurate facts are displayed in the infographic. 3 accurate facts are displayed in the infographic. 2 accurate facts are displayed in the infographic. 1 accurate fact is displayed in the infographic. No accurate facts displayed in the infographic or submission missing
Graphics & Visuals
(graphics, pictures related to argument)		 Selection, colour, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics contribute meaning to the overall message. Selection, colour, shape, size, and arrangement are eye-catching and contribute some meaning. Selection, colour, shape, size, and arrangement are present but do not contribute to the meaning. Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics are detracting or misleading. Selection, color, shape, size, and arrangement of graphics are inappropriate.
References
(sources for content cited properly)		 All 4 facts have appropriate sources identified on the infographic. 3 facts have appropriate sources identified on the infographic. 2 facts have appropriate sources identified on the infographic. 1 fact has an appropriate source identified on the infographic. Facts do not have appropriate sources identified on the infographic.
Total

Adapted from: “Infographic Rubric” by Cambrian College and licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Advantages

  • Allows learners to plan their assessment according to the rubric descriptors.
  • Provides clarity on how students receive their grades.
  • Allows instructors to grade more fairly and free of judgments.
  • Each set of criteria is evaluated separately, providing students with formative feedback on each criteria.
  • Can contain different weightings to adjust for higher weighted sections.
  • Leaves space for non-criteria comments as well to help students further identify how to improve.
  • The categories can be created from the learning outcomes and related essential employable skills.

Disadvantages

  • Creation of quality analytic rubrics takes time upfront.
  • Use of vague descriptions or inconsistent descriptions makes rubric difficult to provide accurate grades and feedback.
  • Can place more emphasis on the technical aspects of an assignment and thus miss deeper levels of cognition and creativity.
  • Separate categories can result in components with higher weighting but disconnected from Course Learning Outcomes (e.g. spelling and grammar).

Performance Verbs

Consider using performance verbs in addition to points (or levels) on an analytical rubric. These verbs help indicate how well a student performed on a specific element of an assessment or task, based on expected outcomes. Consider the examples below and consider using strength-based language such as Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Emerging. Using this language focuses on where students are in their learning, rather than what is missing.

Highest Lowest
Excellent Good Satisfactory Improvement required Incomplete or missing
Advanced Proficient Progressing
Exceeds expectations Meets expectations Approaching expectations Below expectations
Exemplary Proficient Developing Emerging
Exceeding Achieving Developing Beginning
Sophisticated Standard Developing