Form 4
Undergrad Discussion/Participation Rubric
Whole Class Discussions
Participation:
answering
questions
Participation:
asking questions
Listening
Distinguished (3 pts)
Comments answer
questions and
integrate broader
subject areas; making
reference to earlier
discussion or
introducing a new,
relevant topic
Asks probing
questions, reflecting
critical evaluation of
subject matter;
integrates topics,
identifies new
relationships
Closely follows
discussion, criticizing
the topic as it is
developed
Proficient/Average (2 pts)
Comments answer questions
posed, using proper
terminology; little or no
integration with broader
topics
Poor (1 pt)
Comments are
vague; improper
use of
terminology;
failure to answer
questions
Unacceptable (0 pt)
No answer given
Asks for clarification of
presentation when
necessary; asks simple
questions about topic
Asks for
explanation of
trivial points
Asks no substantive
questions
Follows discussion,
volunteers answers when
asked
Barely follows
discussion, unable
to follow logic of
presentation
Pays no attention;
falls asleep in class
Distinguished (3 pts)
Fully engaged in group
activity, contributing to
completion of tasks
Proficient/Average (2 pts)
Following along with
activities, paying enough
attention to understand and
explain outcome; little direct
contribution
Poor (1 pt)
Not prepared for
discussion,
“winging it”
Using activity to create
new knowledge rather
than just report what is
already known;
identifying “aha
moments”
Hearing and
incorporating other
students’ points of
view into activity tasks
Focusing on rigorous
completion of activity:
probes beyond the obvious
Superficial
completion of
activity, little or
no thought
required
Taking thorough notes and
asking a few clarifying
questions of group members
Little or no ability
to comprehend
the contributions
of others
Unacceptable (0 pt)
Checked out:
Failing to pay
attention to
activities or
contribute to
activity completion
Checked out:
Failing to pay
attention to
activities or
contribute to
activity completion
Pays no attention;
falls asleep in class
Small Group Discussions
Participation:
contributing to
discussion
Participation:
asking questions
Listening