PBL Rubrics

Feedback is its own type of knowledge. For students in a project-based environment, feedback is a crucial part of the learning process and should be well thought out. Teachers who oversee PBL classrooms have the challenge of communicating project expectations ahead of time and delivering objective, constructive feedback once the project has been completed. Project-based learning rubrics are designed to aid in that process.

Project-based learning rubrics outline the various skills that a student will be evaluated on for a particular project -- areas such as collaboration, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, project management, etc. A single project is usually supported by multiple rubrics (for example, a communication rubric, a research rubric and a project rubric), ensuring the greatest amount of feedback possible. Proficiency scales identify how well a student demonstrates each skill.

But a project-based learning rubric isn’t just a summary tool. It serves the learning process from start to finish. It allows the goals and expectations of a given project to be clearly outlined ahead of time so that all students know the standard of work they are expected to achieve. It serves as a mid-project gauge to ensure that milestones are being met and that learning objectives are tracking along. And, of course, it serves as an assessment tool once the project has been completed.

Project-based learning rubrics also give teachers clear documentation on the learning outcomes of each individual student, and can even be aligned to particular state learning standards to ensure that those standards are being met.

Project Foundry® was designed with feedback and assessment in mind. Our intuitive, web-based project-management tool gives teachers the ability to facilitate frequent, informative feedback loops, validate learning standards and outcome completion, create authentic student portfolios, and manage online learning rubrics (including self-assessment rubrics that students complete). Learn more about these and other benefits of Project Foundry®.

Project-Based Learning Rubrics - The Buck Institute for Education has five rubrics available for PDF download on their website, including presentation, teamwork, collaboration and project design rubrics.