Manuchar Mikayelyan

It is essential that rubrics are designed to measure what they should be evaluating (validity), but also that no matter who uses the rubric, the same score would be obtained (reliability). Validity and reliability ensure that students are evaluated consistently and fairly. Each instructor has a different discipline, but within the discipline it is important that the rubrics include the course outcome and components to be evaluated so that the evaluation can be fair and consistent no matter who might be assessing the performance, product, or process. In sum, rubrics must be consistent, valid, and reliable.

There are different ways to approach the building of a rubric. Reviewing the different approaches gives you an opportunity to think about different ways to collect the data that drives the building of a rubric for a specific assessment.

There are a variety of sites that provide rubrics. A few examples at this time include RubiStar (rubistar.4teachers.org), Rubric Maker (rubric-maker.com), and Quick Rubric (quickrubric.com). An Internet search may also provide a gallery of rubrics; however, the instructor must ensure the rubrics can be edited to include the course outcomes and meet their needs.

Student-centered assessment allows for collaboration between students and between the students and the instructor. It also allows for diverse talents and learning styles and should foster continued practice of learned skills.

If students self-assess using the rubric and a peer provides feedback using the same rubric, the student will more completely understand the expectations of the instructor and objectives of the project.

Self- and peer-assessments provide for the development of constructive criticism in a formative environment, allowing for reflection, clear thinking, and motivation to improve.

When students receive rubrics before completing the assignment, they understand how they will be evaluated and can prepare accordingly. Developing a rubric and making it available as a tool for students' use will provide the scaffolding necessary to improve the quality of their work and increase their knowledge.

The standards for excellence in a writing rubric remain constant throughout the school year; what does change is students' competence and your teaching strategy. Because the essentials remain constant, it is not necessary to create a completely new rubric for every writing activity.

The quote by Benjamin Franklin is true: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." 

Also, students must be informed of the consequences of breaking the social code (netiquette rules). Consequences may include points being deducted from their participation grade, revoking privileges of certain communication areas, or other consequences depending on the severity of the act.

When teaching in an online environment, communication tools are essential components for student success. There are a variety of social networking tools to assist in online learning. Examples of social networking sites include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others.

We should not forget that social networking is not the communication channel, but the act of actually engaging (networking) through social media. 

I think understanding Cyber-plagiarism is important component of on-line teaching which includes obtaining ideas from the Internet and using them without proper referencing. It also includes students downloading research papers, journal articles, and other work from the Internet and simply submitting it as their original work.

Also, participating in an online class and engaging in the learning process is essential but can evolve into more of a Community of Practice (CoP).

Before encouraging students to complete an online self-analysis to determine if they will be good online students, instructors should also complete a self-analysis to see if they are prepared to be effective online instructors.

I find the Pareto Principle to be very useful. This principle states that "80% of your actions or efforts contribute to only 20% of your actual results, while 20% of your actions or efforts yield 80% of your results."

Use of holistic assessments is so important that all students can feel empowered and valued in the learning process and so their learning can be truly measured.

In project-based thinking the students should have the chance to choose their best work, provide a summary of the work and why they chose it, and then submit it for grading. This will provide them with a strong sense of ownership as well as encouraging them from the outset of the course to take the approach of having the end in mind.