Create Rubrics in D2L Brightspace

Overview

You may use a rubric to evaluate your course assignments.  You can determine how to set up your rubric (analytic or holistic, scored or not scored) to best reflect your approach to evaluation.  The rubrics tool provides you a way to create rubrics.  Then from other Brightspace tools (i.e. Assignments, Discussions, Grades, and written response questions in Quizzes), you can attach the rubric to evaluate student work in learning activities (such as projects, tests, and participation) and score with the rubric.

Create a rubric for a learning activity

Review this create online assessments video playlist in MediaSpace to learn more.

1. From your course navigation bar, navigate to the Rubrics tool.
2. On the Rubrics page, click New Rubric.
3. On the next screen, enter the rubric’s title in the Name.
   Choose the rubric Type (analytic or holistic) and the Scoring method (percentage, points, custom points, no score).
   
4. Choose how many criterion you want:
   • Copy an existing criterion, delete a criterion row, or click Add Criterion to add more.
     
   • If you want different levels for 1+ criterion, create a Criterion Group.
     
5. Rename the levels, and enter the scoring scale.
   
   • For analytic rubrics, rename the overall score levels and update the scoring scale.
     
6. Remember the page automatically saves, so click Close when done.

Attach rubric to the learning activity or assessment item

You can attach a rubric to the following learning activity or assessment items: assignments, discussions, grades, or written response questions in quizzes. Review this create online assessments video playlist in MediaSpace to learn more.

1. From your course navigation bar, navigate to where the activity or assessment item is located, such as Assignments, Discussions, Grades, or Quizzes.
2. For Assignments and Discussions, edit the item. Expand the ‘Evaluation & Feedback’ section. Click Add Rubric > Add existing. Select the rubric and click Add Selected. Click Save and Close for the assignment or discussion.
   
3. For Grades, edit the item and scroll down the Properties tab. Click Add Rubric. Select the rubric and click Add Rubric. Click Save and Close for the grade item.
   
4. For Quizzes, edit the item and click on a written response question title to edit it. Click Add rubric. Select the rubric and click Add Selected. Save the question. Click Save and Close for the quiz.
   

Why can't I add a rubric?

Here are common reasons why you may not be able to add a rubric to a learning activity or assessment item:

1. Course tools – Rubrics and Competencies – have been turned off (i.e. are inactive).
   • Make sure both the Rubrics and Competencies tools are turned on in the course.  Check the status of the tool, navigate to Course Admin > click on Tools > view the Tool Status. When active, the tool has a checkmark in the Status column.
2. The rubric does not have “Allow new associations in Competencies” selected.
   • When creating or editing a rubric, the Allow New Associations in Competencies option is available in the Options section.  By default, the Competencies association is selected for newly created rubrics. This Competencies association is necessary to add the rubric to an assessment item.
3. The rubric is not published.
   • Navigate to the Rubrics tool and view if the rubric is set as Published.  If not, you can change the status from the rubric’s menu. 

What are the rubric statuses?

*Notes: 

• A rubric becomes linked (chain icon) when it is associated with an assessment item or learning activity.
• A rubric becomes locked (lock icon) when it is used to grade an assessment item or learning activity.
• The rubric's Name and Description can’t be edited, however, the options can be edited.