Authentic Assessment and Rubrics

Assessment methods based as closely as possible to real world experiences are called authentic assessment. Originally these were restricted to internship and apprenticeship experiences but have been expanded to the arts and other performances. The student is observed in action and the instructor provides feedback (direction). Now authentic assessment is being applied to all areas of the curriculum.

Real world experiences or simulations are normally complex and multi-faceted. A system is needed to analyze the complexities and to create clear criteria for student performance or their creation of a product. When provided with the assignment, a rubric establishes expectations. It is an authentic assessment tool which is growing in popularity due to its useful in assessing complex and subjective criteria.

Advantages of using rubrics in assessment include:

  • allowing assessment to be objective and consistent
  • allowing the instructor to clarify his/her criteria in specific terms
  • clearly showing the student how their work will be evaluated and what is expected
  • providing useful feedback regarding the effectiveness of the instruction
  • provide benchmarks against which to measure and document progress

The common features rubrics share include:

  • delineation of primary traits of performances and products
  • descriptions of various levels of performance or of product quality
  • a range for rating performance

Rubric Websites

Automating Authentic Assessments with Rubrics
http://stone.web.brevard.k12.fl.us/html/comprubric.html

Rubrics and Evaluation Resources (includes downloadable templates)
http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/ho.html

Rubrics and Online Surveys
http://www.nova.edu/~burmeist/rubrics.html

Rubrics: Your Source for Information about Music Rubrics
http://www.music.miami.edu/assessment/rubrics.html

A List of Sample Rubrics Found on the Web
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/rubrics/rubrics.html

Weighted Rubrics
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/page/4525.html?detoured=1

Collaboration Rubric
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/triton/tidepoolunit/Rubrics/collrubric.html

Guidelines for Rubric Development
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/triton/july/rubrics/Rubric_Guidelines.html

General Rubrics Template
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/triton/july/rubrics/Rubric_Template.html

Using Rubrics for University Learning Outcomes
http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/intech/rubrics.htm

Using Rubrics
http://members.tripod.com/~ozpk/01rubric

Sample Rubrics for Course Assessment; Class Participation; Research Papers and Group Presentations
http://www.arp.sprnet.org/inserv/eval5.htm#User

Creating Rubrics
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-4521.html

Teachnology: The Online Teacher Resource- collection on rubric generators
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Rubrics 4 Teachers: Extensive Guide to Educational Rubrics
http://www.rubrics4teachers.com/

Rubistar: Online tool to help teachers create rubrics
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

Lesson Assessment Rubric- template based on Ohio SchoolNet
http://www.uc.edu/certitest/rubric/rubric.htm

Jon Mueller's Authentic Assessment Toolbox
http://jonathan.mueller.faculty.noctrl.edu/toolbox/rubrics.htm

Concordia University
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/rubrics/rubrics.html

 

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