Application of Rubrics in the Classroom: A Vital Tool for Improvement in Assessment, Feedback and Learning

Abstract

Teaching is filled with spirited debate about the best practices for improving students' learning and performance. Today, educators from different parts of the world are supporting the use of rubrics as an instructional tool and highlighting the enormous contributions that rubrics can make in the teaching-learning paradigm. A rubric is a useful grading tool which can help instructors to grade students' work in a more consistent, reliable and unbiased manner. A well-designed rubric can help students to identify their strengths and weaknesses and be more objective about their own quality of work. Although some studies have examined the benefits of rubrics on student performance levels; nevertheless, research on rubrics is still at an early stage. In this paper we will explore what a rubric is, the different types of rubrics that can be utilized in the classroom and the process of constructing a rubric. We will also discuss how the application of rubrics in teaching can help educators to improve student learning and provide more effective feedback on student performance.