Rubrics & Project Outlines Deconstructed

Project outlines and rubrics are a great way for students to break down a project to it’s most important elements – especially when working with unfamiliar technology and creating something for the first time. When building rubrics for media focused projects here are some things to consider.

Keep Projects Content Driven

When building a project, it can be tempting to focus on the technology or the medium and assume the content will sort itself in the students’ minds. Focus on the learning objectives for the assignment and make sure that those carry the most weight. A student having an unappealing website should not have a major effect on their overall grade if all the content is there and correct.

Instead, focus on how the technology/medium enhances or distracts from the content. If a website is unappealing that is one thing, but if you can’t successfully navigate through the site to find the content or read the text because of color choices that is something that should have a major affect on points accrued.

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Video is less than the required time by 1-2 minutes.
Audio is mostly unintelligible.
Uses third party materials without proper context or citation.
Video is less than the required time by less than a minute.
Audio is difficult to understand at certain points.
Uses third party materials with proper citation, but lacks proper context.
Video meets the minimum time requirement.
Audio is clear and easy to understand.
Uses third party materials with proper citation and only 1-2 instances of improper context.
Video is within the min/max time requirements.
Audio is clear, easy to understand, and sets the tone for the video.
Uses third party materials with proper citation and context.
Example of point distribution for a video project.

Consider Staggering Tasks

When projects are complex and have a lot of moving parts, it’s always good to have ways of checking in on students and their progress in the assignment. We always recommend staggering tasks when elements new to the students – video, websites, or podcasts – are incorporated in the assignment.

Avoid giving points for students simply attending the in-class training on website creation or basic videography. Rather, link the points to early tasks that show the students were paying attention to the material.

Here is a list of common early tasks that students can do to receive points.

  • Video Projects: Create a storyboard, Write the script.
  • Websites: Set up the site, Create the Introduction Page/Post, Choose a theme and describe why they chose it.
  • Podcasts: Write a topic outline, Write the script.

Think about your terminology

The wording used to describe a project should be easy for students to understand in order to meet expectations set out by the learning objectives.

When it comes to media projects avoid terms such as professional in conjunction with the quality of the video, podcast, or website. Instead, describe what you expect: clear audio and stable shots for video, easy to understand navigation and text legibility for websites, and clear audio and logical flow for podcasts. If you’re unsure about how to describe your expectation and what to look for you can always contact CETLOE through the help desk.

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