Designing transparent assignments and rubrics to grade them

Students benefit from instructors who clearly communicate the rationale behind instructional practices. Being transparent in crafting assignments and how they will be graded motivates students to learn and be more successful.

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA) invites instructors to a session that introduces the TILT (Transparency in Teaching and Learning) framework and approaches to rubric construction.

Participants will begin working on a transparent assignment and corresponding rubric with their colleagues during the first session and return for an optional session to refine a final assignment used this semester or develop a transparent assignment for a spring 2023 course with the support of peer reviewers.

Session 1 is from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, and session 2 (optional) is from noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 24. Both sessions are offered virtually via Teams.

Following these two sessions, participants will

• Outline the Transparency Framework for academic work.
• Apply the framework to one of their fall or spring semester assignments.
• Identify three types of grading rubrics.
• Apply the most appropriate rubric to a given assignment.
• Evaluate rubrics created by peers and provide constructive feedback.
• Refine a rubric created during the sessions.

To learn about this session and other offered by the CTLA and its partners this fall, visit the CTLA Programs and Upcoming Events website.