Benefits of Rubrics in Oral Assessment

Benefits of Rubrics in Oral Assessment

Piric, Alma

What is the purpose of evaluation? Do we only grade our students because they have to have a grade at the end of the term, or does evaluation reflect other aspects of our jobs? How do we remain objective while we grade out students’ performances? Is the grading transparent? This paper will draw a parallel between the purpose of assessment, objective and transparent grading, as well as meeting the learning outcomes, and the use of rubrics to show the benefits of this authentic assessment tool. First, the paper will address the purpose of evaluation and explain how the evaluation of the students’ performances can reflect our success as teachers. It will look into the validity and reliability of tests, touching upon norm- and criterion- referenced tests, and provide the readers with some tips on how to use the learning outcomes and standards set by the school or the Ministry of Education to write the lesson objectives. Then, the paper will point out the importance of fair grading and how rubrics can serve not only as tools for objective evaluation of oral exams, but also as proof of transparency for stakeholders such as parents, school administration, or the Ministry of Education. Finally, in a step-by-step process, the paper will instruct teachers on how to create their own rubrics and how to use them to grade the students’ performances in an oral exam.

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2012-05

792