Rubrics represent criteria used to grade a variety of assignments and other classroom activities in a way that provides transparency to learners. Specifically, some of the benefits of grading rubrics to learners include:

• Clearer assignments expectations
• More objective grading that is aligned with learning objectives
• Improved fairness and consistency in grading among learners
• Reducing learners' anxiety about the subjectivity of grading

There are also benefits to instructors, including:

• A more objective evaluation process by viewing learner performance through previously identified and expressed standards
• More efficient and effective grading
• Improved clarity of assignment/activity development and instructions to learners
• Enhanced constructive written feedback
• Reduced learner complaints about perceived subjectivity of grading and associated grade challenges

While it is considered a best practice to use grading rubrics and explicit grading criteria for these reasons, the associated rating scales don't always provide the level of detailed feedback that will allow the learner to know how to improve. Therefore, it is important to remember that rubrics should not be used in isolation. Rather, they can also serve as a guide to provide critical feedback to learners that elaborates on strengths and areas of growth. 

Rubric resources:

• Different assignments require different grading rubrics. Review these various grading rubric criteria. Then, you can use online tools to create your own grading rubric.  
• Review this Center for Faculty Development and Excellence resource on creating and using assignment rubrics.
• Peer evaluation can vary depending on the target of the evaluation. Peer evaluation rubrics can easily be collected by using  Qualtrics or Google Forms. Contact help@sph.emory.edu to set up a Qualtrics account.
• For synchronous online courses, here is a sample online discussion rubric. For asynchronous online courses with required discussion posts, you may consider asking learners to complete their own self-assessment rubric.
• You can also create a rubric in Canvas. These can be saved in Speedgrader and posted directly in the grade book.