Affiliation:
1. Florida A&M University, USA
Abstract
This chapter aims to shed light on the importance of using rubrics to prepare students for writing and to stimulate critical thinking to achieve student learning outcomes. The scores on 615 writing assignments in two classes were compared to determine the efficacy of rubrics. A t-test was performed to determine the differences in the scores on writing assignments that implemented the use of rubrics after the author received training in the Writing-Across-the-Curriculum Summer Learning Institute. The statistical significance of the differences in the scores on the reaction papers were P<.001 indicating rubrics facilitate critical thinking as evidenced by scores on written assignments. Although the discussion board scores did not yield statistically significant results: the mean scores on the discussion board using the rubric in Fall 2021 were higher than in Spring 2021, 9.58 and 8.94, respectively. These results are evidence that given the right tools and instruction to complete written assignments, students can meet and even exceed expectations.
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