Sharing Blackboard Rubrics – READ ME FIRST
You can NOT open these zip files directly. You need to DOWNLOAD the zip file you want to your
computer and then IMPORT it into your course using the Rubrics Tool [Control Panel > Course Tools
> Rubrics].
These rubrics can be used as a basis for you to edit and create your own rubrics.
In the case of this Learning Network, if you are enrolled as a participant only, you can go to the
Content Collection Tab (top tab bar) and look under Organisation content for the shared folders in
the Learning Network organisation. I have also put a link to these shared folders under the menu
item: Open Educational Resources.
[NOTE: GBS use a system called ALEC for their rubrics – check with your BLA as to when these might be
appropriate for GBS use.]
Description of Rubrics:
Marking Rubric for Blogs
John Graham, User Support at McKendree University, designed this rubric to evaluate student
engagement and proficiency in blogging. The attached tool includes criteria such as Completeness,
Analysis, Spelling and Timeliness. The levels of achievement are defined as Exemplary, Proficient and
Below expectations and are worth 5, 4 and 2 points respectively.
Marking Rubric for Discussion Boards
Karen Lynden is a Business Instructor, at the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, whose course
won an Exemplary Course Program award. The attached grading rubric for Discussion Boards
includes criteria such as Promptness and Initiative, Mechanics of Writing, Relevance of Post, Creating
Community and Critical Thinking/Analysis. For those using this for evaluations, the levels of
achievement are Below Expectations, Proficient and Exemplary which are worth 0, 1 or 2 points
respectively for a potential total of 10 points.
Marking Rubric for Discussion Topics
Michele M. Pelter, RN, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno - Orvis School
of Nursing who authored the course, "Introduction to Knowledge Development and Scientific
Inquiry". Her work was also honored in the Blackboard Exemplary Course Program in 2011. The
attached rubric is used for grading student participation in discussion boards and includes criteria
such as Responsiveness, Communication, Interaction, Critical Thinking and Analysis, and Mechanics.
The levels of achievement are defined as Failing, Average, Good and Exceptional and are worth .5, 1,
1.5, and 2 points respectively for a potential total of 10 points.
Marking Rubric for Writing Assignments (using points)
Karen Lynden is a Business Instructor, at the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, whose course
won an Exemplary Course Program award. This grading rubric for Discussion Boards includes criteria
such as Reasoning and Analysis, Focus, Accuracy of Facts and Citations, MLA, and
Mechanics/Organization. The levels of achievement are Below Expectations, Proficient and
Exemplary which are worth 0, 1 or 2 points respectively for a potential total of 10 points.
Marking Rubric for Assignments (using point range)
Adapted from Karen Lynden, Business Instructor at the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, whose
course won an Exemplary Course Program award. This grading rubric for Discussion Boards includes
criteria such as Reasoning and Analysis, Focus, Accuracy of Facts and Citations, MLA, and
Mechanics/Organization. The levels of achievement are Below Expectations, Proficient and
Exemplary which you can select from a range of 0 - 4, 5 – 7, 8 - 10 respectively for a potential total of
50 points.
Marking Rubric for Laboratory Practice
This 'Academic development holistic assessment' requires students' attendance to laboratory
sessions and will assess laboratory competence, interaction, engagement and overall performance in
relation to following instructions, carrying out techniques and Safe Work Practices. Scores of 1,2,3 to
a potential maximum of 9 points
Examples
Marking Rubric for Blogs
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Below Expectations
Proficient
Exemplary
Completeness
2 Points
Group weakly addresses topic.
4 Points
Group somewhat addresses topic.
5 Points
Group fully addresses topic.
Analysis
2 Points
Group demonstrates some
understanding of the
implications of the project topic.
4 Points
Group demonstrates understanding
of the implications of the project
topic.
5 Points
Group demonstrates in depth
understanding of the implications
the topics.
Spelling &
Grammar
2 Points
Group uses poor grammar, two
or fewer misspelled words.
4 Points
Group’s grammar is usually
correct, no misspelled words.
5 Points
Group’s grammar is correct, no
misspelled words.
Meets
Requirements
2 Points
A few required elements.
4 Points
Most required elements.
5 Points
All required elements.
Timeliness
2 Points
Blog is not on schedule.
4 Points
Blog is slightly off schedule.
5 Points
Blog meets schedule.
Marking Rubric for Assignments (using point range)
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Below Expectations
Proficient
Exemplary
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Below Expectations
Proficient
Exemplary
Reasoning and
Analysis
0 to 4 points
5 to 7 points
8 to 10 points
Weak reasons and/or irrelevant
or confusing reasons given that
don't support the answers;
incomplete answers.
Reasons support answers with
some / an important reason(s)
overlooked; general examination
and assessment.
Clear and accurate answers;
insightful, specific.
0 to 4 points
5 to 7 points
8 to 10 points
Some of the documentation
relates to the assigned topic;
misuses or uses limited course
vocabulary.
The answers are not as detailed
and/or concise as needed; and/ or
use limited course vocabulary.
Answers address the questions
clearly and fully, showing higher
level analysis and synthesis of
concepts and uses course
vocabulary.
0 to 4 points
5 to 7 points
8 to 10 points
No direct quotes or "work
consulted" used or referred to
in the paper. Incorrect facts and
/ or citations.
All facts are accurate and relate
back to the answer, yet there was a
disproportionate amount of opinion
based statements then facts.
Provided 2-5 citations throughout
paper using the text, interview and
or other related documentation.
All facts are accurate and relate
back to the answer. Provided 2-5
citations throughout paper using
the text, interview and or other
related documentation.
0 to 4 points
5 to 7 points
8 to 10 points
Works not cited.
Works cited are not all formatted in
the correct MLA style.
Works cited is formatted in the
correct MLA style.
0 to 4 points
5 to 7 points
8 to 10 points
Numerous errors, paper hard to
read; questions are not stated
before answers; format details
are not adhered to.
Enough errors to distract the
reader; organisation problems;
questions not stated before
answers; and / or format difficult to
navigate.
Use of correct grammar, spelling,
and punctuation; well organized;
one idea follows another in a
logical sequence with clear
transitions; questions stated before
answers; format easy to navigate.
Focus on Topic
Accuracy ofFacts
and Citations
MLA
Mechanics/Orga
nisation