Assignment Assistant: Rubric Builder

Rubric Builder is one of four tools included in Assignment Assistant. Rubric Builder creates precise evaluation tools by converting detailed assignment instructions into comprehensive analytic or objective rubrics. Faculty input learning objectives and other contextual information to generate assessment tools that ensure systematic evaluation of graduate student mastery.

How to Use Rubric Builder

1. Navigate to the Faculty Tools page in your course site.
2. Under Activities and Assignments > Resources, select Assignment Assistant.
3. If you have not already, select I Acknowledge the Above on the acknowledgment page.
4. Select Build a rubric from an assignment.
5. Choose the Rubric Type:
   • Analytic: Scores different parts of an assignment separately and subjectively.
   • Objective: Uses clear, measurable criteria with definite right or wrong answers.
6. Enter the Number of Performance Levels to include in the rubric. Values can be between 1 and 5.
7. If applicable, choose which objectives to include among the list of Learning Objectives. These are course-specific objectives that are pulled directly from the syllabus.
8. If applicable, enter learning objectives in the Custom Learning Objectives box.
   • You can use course Learning Objectives or Custom Learning Objectives or both.
9. Upload the assignment description file. 
   • The file types accepted are .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, and application/msword. The maximum file size is 5 MB.
10. Select Generate Rubric to begin generating the rubric.
11. While you wait for the output, there is an optional outbreak containment game you can play.
12. Once the output is ready, select View Response. 

See an example of the output.

How to Utilize Rubric Builder Output

Review and edit the rubric being mindful of the Assignment Assistant tools' terms of use and the following:

• Criteria should be aligned with learning goals. Make sure each rubric category directly reflects the skills or knowledge you want students to demonstrate, rather than peripheral details.
• Clear, observable descriptors should be used. Write performance levels in specific, measurable terms, so students and evaluators know exactly what distinguishes excellent work from adequate or poor work.
• Details should be balanced with usability. Provide enough guidance to support consistent grading, but avoid overcomplicating the rubric with too many categories or vague distinctions that make scoring cumbersome.
• Rubrics may be written for a specific audience. Consider modifying or supplementing the rubric text if students are expected to use it in a peer assessment or self-assessment.

To save the output, you can copy the text, download a PDF file, or download a Word file. All of these options are listed at the top and bottom of the output page.

Note: Assignment Assistant does not retain generated output. Therefore, leaving the page without saving the information will result in a loss of the response. However, you are free to generate again.