Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Rubrics
Rubric: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 1 – Problem Identification
Competency:
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Identifies and defines the problem
Criterion: Identify and fully define a problem and its various constituents.
Primary Traits A passing submission must:
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Clearly define the problem
Use credible sources
Identify any assumptions
Additional information:
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You are not assessing the following:
Correctness of the solution
Approach to the problem
Audio-visual representation of the problem
Rubric: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 2 – Problem representation
Competency:
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Audibly or visually represents the problem
Criterion: Through the use of charts, graphs, diagrams, sketches, etc. clearly represent the problem
audibly or visually.
Primary Traits A passing submission must:
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Use one or more methods to audibly or visually represent the problem
Use an adequate number of audible and/or visual representations to fully define the problem or
support the solution
Additional information:
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You are not assessing the following:
Creativity of the audible or visual presentation
Artistic quality of the audible or visual representation
Provost Office
Revised 2015
1
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Rubrics
Rubric: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 3 – Exploring problem approaches
Competency:
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Explores problem approaches
Criterion: Approach the problem in different and appropriate ways.
Primary Traits:
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A passing submission must:
Select an appropriate approach to solving the problem. Approaches may include, but are not
limited to:
o Uses analogies
o Compares and contrasts
o Analyzes
o Adopts multiple perspectives
o Identifies causes and effects
o Makes predictions and hypotheses
o Categorizes and classifies
o Reasons deductively, inductively, abductively or heuristically
o
Reasons logically and makes sense
Additional Information: You are not assessing the following:
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Provost Office
Intuitive thinking
The correctness of the solution
Revised 2015
2
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Rubrics
Rubric: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 4 – Problem Solution
Competency:
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Solving problems
Criterion: Develop a solution to a problem.
Primary Traits A passing submission must:
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Clearly define the solution
Defend the solution based on provided information
Additional information:
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You are not assessing the following:
Approach to the problem
Audio-visual representation of the problem
Provost Office
Revised 2015
3
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Rubrics
Rubric: Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 5 – Solution Interpretation and Evaluation
Competency:
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Interprets, assesses and evaluates the problem solution
Criterion: Interpret, assess and evaluate the solution to a problem.
Primary Traits A passing submission must:
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Clearly draw conclusions from the problem and its solution
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Clearly state the results of the analysis
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Clearly state the results of the synthesis
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Use concise statements
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Use precise statements
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Use criteria to assess and evaluate appropriateness, truthfulness, usefulness, or validity
and soundness of an idea, argument, or evidence
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Question sources
Additional information:
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You are not assessing the following:
Correctness of the solution (you are looking at how they interpret the solution, not its
correctness)
Provost Office
Revised 2015
4