What is a Rubric?

Rubrics are a matrix of criteria mapped to levels of achievement. Each matrix cell contains a description of the level of achievement and (optionally) a numeric mark attached; the marker selects the level to which a student has met each criterion and can optionally give further comments for each. If numeric marks are used the Rubric will calculate a total grade (though this can be overridden).

A Rubric can be standardised and therefore more obviously transparent about numeric grades (if used). Using Rubrics may be quicker for markers, which can help with large cohorts. Rubrics should be used alongside the general comment tools to provide more holistic feedback. This could be in the form of written text or voice comments.

Once a Rubric is attached to an assignment, students are able to see it. This can be extremely useful for students to refer to when working on their assignment

Creating a rubric

There are three methods you can use to create a Rubric.

Via an Excel spreadsheet.
Within the Turnitin assignment settings
Within the Turnitin assignment's Feedback Studio

Once you have created a Rubric, you can attach it to the assignment you are grading. All tutors marking work submitted to the assignment will be able to use the Rubric. Note: Once attached and marking starts, you will not be able to edit the rubric. It is possible to duplicate it and edit the copy. Detaching a Rubric will mean you lose any grading that may have taken place.

Via an excel Spreadsheet

Rubrics can be created using a Turnitin Excel template and imported. Once imported, you can edit and add scores.

Only qualitative rubrics can be created in Excel.

Go to your Moodle course and use the toggle switch to turn 'Edit mode' on.
Go to the relevant Turnitin assignment.
Click Settings to enter the assignment settings.
Scroll to the GradeMark Options section and expand it.
Click on Launch Rubric Manager. The Rubric Manager window will open.
Click on the View Import/Export options icon and select Import (refer to image below). This will open a new window.
Select Download Example Template, and save the file (refer to image below)
Open the Excel file and edit the various fields as required, then save the updated file.
Click Select Files (or drag your Excel file to the import window), to upload your completed Excel file.
Once uploaded you can edit it further within the Turnitin interface.

See Turnitin web page for qualitative rubric examples.

Within the Turnitin assignment settings interface

Go to your Moodle course and use the toggle switch to turn 'Edit mode' on.
Go to the relevant Turnitin assignment.
Click Settings, to enter the assignment settings.
Scroll to the GradeMark Options section and expand it.
Click on Launch Rubric Manager. The Rubric Manager window will open.
Click on the list icon and select Create new rubric (see image below).
Enter a rubric name in the heading area.
1. Refer to the section on this page titled, Editing a Rubric below for instructions on completing the Rubric table.
Select a scoring method using the rubric scoring icons at the bottom of the window.
- Standard rubric (percentage icon) - used for numerical scoring. This type of rubric allows you to enter scale values and criteria percentages. The criteria percentages combined must equal 100% as each criterion represents a percentage of the student’s overall grade. The maximum grade value for this type of rubric will be the same as the highest scale value entered.
- Custom rubric (pencil icon) - can be modified to suit your grading needs. Descriptive scales and criteria can be entered while each rubric cell can be allocated its own point value as well as written feedback.
- Qualitative rubric (Zero) - used for providing feedback without the use of numerical scoring. The scale and criteria used for this type of rubric are more descriptive than measurable.
At the bottom of the table click SAVE.
To exit the pop-up window, click on the background screen.
Once you have closed the Rubric manager, you will be returned to the Turnitin assignment settings interface. You can click on Launch Rubric Manager again, then use the Drop down menu under GradeMark Options to select your Rubric. Select Save and display.

Within Feedback studio

Use this method only when submissions have already been made.

Click on the Pencil icon beside a submitted Turnitin assignment. This will open the submission within Feedback Studio.
Click on the Rubric icon.
Click on the settings cog, in the top right. This will open Rubric Manager.

Rubric icon

4. Click on the list icon and select Create new rubric

5. Enter a rubric name in the heading area.
Refer to the section on this page titled, Editing a Rubric below for instructions on completing the Rubric table.
6. Select a scoring method using the scoring drop down menu.

Standard rubric - used for numerical scoring. This type of rubric allows you to enter scale values and criteria percentages. The criteria percentages combined must equal 100% as each criterion represents a percentage of the student’s overall grade. The maximum grade value for this type of rubric will be the same as the highest scale value entered.
Qualitative rubric - used for providing feedback without the use of numerical scoring. The scale and criteria used for this type of rubric are more descriptive than measurable.
Custom rubric - can be modified to suit your grading needs. Descriptive scales and criteria can be entered while each rubric cell can be allocated its own point value as well as written feedback.

7. At the bottom of the table click SAVE.
8. Toggle on Attach to Assignment to attach the Rubric to the assignment.
9. To exit the pop-up window, click Close

screenshot of rubric

Editing a rubric

Scales

To edit the scale title (E.g from Poor to Excellent) hover the mouse over the text 'Scale 1' and then left click the mouse. This will enable you to type your own title.
To delete a scale, hover the mouse over the scale. You should see a dustbin icon appear, click this to delete the scale.
To add a scale click the + plus icon in the far right of the window.

Criterion

To edit the criterion title, hover the mouse over the text 'Criterion 1' and then left click the mouse. This will enable you to type your own title.
To add/edit the description left click just below the criterion title.
To delete a criterion, hover the mouse over the section containing that criterion. You should see a dustbin icon appear, click this to delete the criterion.
To add a criterion click the + plus icon located at the top of the Criteria column.

Confirm a rubric is attached to an assignment

Checking your rubric

If you click on the rubric icon, as pictured below, when logged in as a Tutor or Course Administrator, Turnitin will display the first rubric in your library. To check the rubric is attached you need to view the assignment as a student.

To check your rubric, switch your role to a student account as follows:

Change your role to that of student. (Click on your name at the top left of the Moodle page > select switch role to... > Student.
Navigate to the relevant assignment link on your course page and click on it.
You should now see the blue View the Rubric used for marking icon in the Marks Available cell on the right.
Click on it to see the rubric.

screenshot student rubric showing makrs available

Sharing a Rubric

When you create a rubric, it 'belongs' to you. Once attached to an assignment, other markers can use it. You may however wish to share the rubric with colleagues who may be marking work on a different assignment.

Sharing a Rubric created in the Turnitin settings interface

Open the Rubric Manager.
Click on the import/export icon.
To download a copy click Export > save the rubric and email it as an attachment, or save it on a mutually accessible shared drive.

To Import the rubric, the recipient should select Import and follow the prompts to upload the rubric.

Sharing a rubric created within feedback studio

Click on the Pencil icon beside a submitted Turnitin assignment. This will open the submission within Feedback Studio.
Click on the Rubric icon.
Click on the settings cog, in the top right. This will open Rubric Manager.
Click on the list icon and select Download
Save the rubric and email it as an attachment, or save it on a mutually accessible shared drive. Once received, it can be uploaded into the recipients own Turnitin assignment.

screenshot download rubric

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