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Creating and Using Rubrics in Blackboard

Rubrics can be utilized in Blackboard to create more clear and specific grading practices for instructors and a better understanding of assignment criteria and feedback for students. Rubrics can help ensure consistent and impartial grading and help students focus on your expectations.

Creating a Rubric

  1. Rubrics can easily be created in Blackboard. To access your rubric collection, click on Course Tools under Course Management on the left side toolbar.
  2. Next, click on Rubrics.
screenshot with arrows pointing to course tools and rubrics
  1. Here, you will find all the rubrics that you have in your course. To create a new rubric, click on Create Rubric.
screenshot with arrow pointing to create rubric
  1. This is where you will set up your rubric. All the columns and rows can be renamed as needed.
  2. Rows and columns can be added by clicking on the add row or add column buttons.
  3. You can also set up the rubric type and corresponding values here.
  4. When you are finished, click Submit.
screenshot with arrows pointing to column titles, add row, rubric type, and submit

Importing a Rubric

  1. To import a rubric, go to the Rubrics section by navigating to Course Management on the left side toolbar and click on Course Tools
  2. Select Rubrics.
screenshot with arrows pointing to course tools and rubrics
  1. Click on Import Rubric.
screenshot with arrow poitning to import rubric
  1. Browse from local files (the files on your computer) or browse content collection (the content collection in your course) and select the rubric that you want to import.
  2. Click Submit.
screenshot with arrows pointing to browse local files and submit
  1. This rubric will now appear in your rubric collection.

Exporting a Rubric

  1. To export a rubric, go to your rubrics under Course Management and select Course Tools.
  2. Select Rubrics.
screenshot with arrows pointing to course tools and rubrics
  1. Select the box beside the rubric you want to export.
  2. Click Export.
screenshot with arrows pointing selected rubric and export
  1. You can choose to export to local computer (the files on your computer) or export to content collection (the content collection in your course).
  2. Click submit.
screenshot with arrows pointing to export to local computer or export to content collection and submit

Attaching Rubrics to Assignments

  1. You can create or attach a rubric to an assignment by selecting Add Rubric when creating or editing the assignment.
screenshot with arrow pointing to add rubric
  1. You can choose to select rubric to assign it to the assignment, create rubric to create a new rubric, or create from existing to bring in a previously created rubric and edit it for the assignment.
  2. Make sure to click Submit when finished.
screenshot with arrows pointing select rubric, create new rubric, create from existing and submit

Grading with a Rubric

  1. Instructors can grade with a rubric by opening student assignments and using the grade by rubric feature.
  2. Instructors can select to show descriptions and feedback as appropriate.
  3. To grade with the rubric, select the circle beside the level of work that corresponds with student achievement for each of the rubric criteria.
  4. Click Save Rubric when finished.
screenshot in blackboard with arrows pointing toward grade by rubric, show feedback, quality of post, and save rubric.

Best Practices for Using Rubrics in Blackboard

  • Rubrics should be shared with students in advance alongside assignment instructions.
  • Explanations of the rubric, criteria, and levels of achievements should be provided to students.
  • Good and poor examples of an assignment should be shared along with a rubric.
  • Detailed feedback should be given to students when grading their work.

For further help with any of these directions, if you have any questions, or would like any assistance, please contact the HelpDesk by email at or at 828-327-7000 ext. 4444.

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