What is a Rubric?

What is a rubric? How to read a rubric to get all your points

Another very good Wednesday morning to you. It is currently storming outside my window and my boys have their noses glue to the window panes watching the lightning flashes and listening for all the thunder.

If you have children then I am sure you can picture two little boys in their pajamas on the couch.

Well on to why you should allows make sure that you pay attention to your Rubric.

Well what is a Rubric to start with? The dictionary refers to it as " a statement of purpose or function" .

I always read it as, "Don't forget to check this list because I will lose points" list.

This rubric is normally in addition to you assignment requirements and lists the specifics on what is required for your assignment submission. Don't get confused here because you also have additional notes from your Professor, as well as additional tips and comments in your discussion feed.

You should always see the rubric as the official rules and regulations.

This is what you get graded on. The points to the right gives you an indication on the amount of content. It is not written in stone, but more information and details is always better than to little.

This what you are graded on, in addition to the other requirements within your assignment.

So, as you can see it is very easy to follow and it is normally set out in such a manner that you just need to follow the sequence as it is listed.

NB! One important point to remember here. Sometimes the feedback you need to give to your peers might not all be listed as the last day of the week. It changes all the time so pay attention to the date listed here as well.

Now there is no reason not to obtain full marks, (well only if you provide all the facts and information required) for any of your assignments. 

So have a great week and I leave you with this great quote from Zig Ziglar.

Ps: We have a great session on giving back to the community and how you can expand your business in the process. Please join us.

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/8937203609213996043 

SOAP BOX ALERT!!

I originally planned on writing about how you should learn, retain, and utilize the lessons learned in all of your early classes in all of your future classes.  I had planned on writing a scathing depiction of how the people in my class made up and misused the terminology and concepts associated with the 7 elements of design and the 7 principles of design.  When I went back and read the assignments turned in by students well into their third year of study (some in their fourth and on the verge of graduation) I realized that it wasn't that they didn't understand the elements/principles of design.  It is that they (and by they I mean some, not all, but most) didn't follow the directions as presented to them in the assignment.

This is hardly the first time that I have noticed this in a class.  I have even gone so far as to e-mail instructors to ensure that I have not completely misunderstood an assignment.  It does however concern me that so many people decide that instead of answering the question or present the assignment as required by the directions, decide to answer whatever question they THINK they read, or ASSUMED that they read.

Maybe, they didn't read the text or the online lectures.  I mean sure if they had they would have at least been in the ballpark.  So why are they all playing a different sport?  At what point do you as a student feel so entitled to doing whatever you want that you miss the point of the assignment as a whole.

In all honestly I can't wait to read the comments on my post in the discussion.  I am sure I will be asked by more than one person what my thoughts are on "blah, blah, blah".  My reply will be "That was not a requirement for this assignment so I didn't feel that it added to the discussion" or something to that effect.

But I digress.  I am here to help guide and mentor new and upcoming photography students, not vent about my issues with 3rd year students.  Here's my sage advice this week.


PAY ATTENTION.  READ THE ASSIGNMENT.  READ THE RUBRIC.

These are the keys to success in any class, not just online.

I know I took 700 words to get to the point, but it's important.

Oh and case you were wondering...


There are seven (7) ELEMENTS of DESIGN:

• Line
• Shape
• Direction
• Size
• Texture
• Color
• Value

There are also seven (7) PRINCIPLES of DESIGN:

• Balance
• Gradation
• Repetition
• Contrast
• Harmony
• Dominance
• Unity (Lovett).

Now i just need to figure out what to rant about next week  *cough* *cough* MLA *cough* *cough*

Works Cited

Lovett, John. "Elements and Principles of Design." John Lovett. John Lovett, 1999. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.

Rau, William Herman. Low Grade Crossing at Whitford. 1904. Photograph. J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. 84.XO.766.3.4.