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Rubrics are the rage, and for good reason. Focussing the learner's attention on essential elements of a task, a well written rubric is an excellent instructional and evaluation tool. In addition, rubrics may be developed for any subject matter at any stage of difficulty.

When and How
To Use Rubrics

Introduction of a skill
Teach students to use a rubric to evaluate excellent, good, average and poor examples of what you are teaching. Once students can identify and evaluate essential elements of successful performance, learning the task becomes much easier.

Beginning Practice
Teach students to use the rubric as a check list when they are making their initial tries.

Intermediate Practice
Have students use the rubric to evaluate one another's and their own attempts.

Mastery Practice
Use weighting factors to make certain aspects of the rubric count more than others to focus attention on the more difficult elements of the task.

Advanced Practice
Use rubrics to further enhance critical thinking, by asking students determine the appropriate weighting factors.

Competent students may also be asked to write their own rubrics.

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