Blackboard rubrics
This article covers the use of Blackboard rubrics for Blackboard assignments, as well as scenarios where they may be used for VoiceThread and Turnitin grading.
More on rubrics
For resources on best practices when developing a rubric for your assessment, see our article series on rubrics.
Percentage range rubrics
Because SCU grades are defined using percentage ranges [Section 11] it is recommended to use the percentage range type when using Blackboard assignments.
Video Walkthrough
Blackboard does the maths for you!
When using a percentage rubric, Blackboard will convert the score from the percentage rubric (out of 100%) to a score out of the assignment total, no need to do any tricky maths!
Adding a Bb rubric to a Grade Centre Column (VoiceThread)
The assessment policy at SCU states that students should be provided with rubric-based grading and feedback. The VoiceThread marking interface does not currently support a digital rubric grading method. When using VoiceThread assignments you can instead add a Blackboard rubric to the Grade Centre column associated with a VoiceThread assignment. This method can be applied to any column in Grade Centre, including Turnitin and Created Columns. This can be useful for assessing live presentations.
Here is an implementation of this strategy to mark a VoiceThread assignment:
Caution when marking Bb rubrics added to VoiceThread assignments
Blackboard Grade Centre will override grades when the SAVE GRADE feature of the VoiceThread assignments is clicked. For this reason, it is strongly advised to maintain a separate record of assessment grades. Before attempting to save a Blackboard rubric result, the VoiceThread grade should be saved first to avoid accidental overrides.
Using a Created Column in Grade Centre (Turnitin)
Setting up a Created Column in Grade Centre can be used to mark synchronous assessment. This may also be useful when grading Turnitin assignments. Turnitin assignments do have the capacity to attach rubrics, however, students are able to see their scores when accessing the feedback. The workaround outlined below will ensure your students do not see an overall score and instead only see a letter grade for their Turnitin assignment.
A note about the score...
It is recommended that whether you are using Blackboard or Turnitin you make the rubric result available for students to view. Because of this, students can always work out what their score is from the rubric score breakdown if they should want to. Designing an effective rubric and using specific points within the percentage range is the best way to prevent confusion among students surrounding their assessment scores.
Column 1 will display the yellow exclamation mark to indicate a student has submitted their assignment. Note: This column is hidden from the student.
Column 2 (A1 Feedback) is where you enter the score/grade and submit feedback to students. Note: This column will be the one visible to students.
Turnitin settings
When setting up your Turnitin portal, if using this method, possible points should be set to zero (0) as this will not be a scored column.
Here is an implementation of this strategy to mark a Turnitin assignment:
Uploading of marked assignments and/or feedback is done one assignment, one student at a time through the Grade Centre.