Video projects enhance the learning experience both in and out of the classroom by letting students get creative and apply media skills they can use in the real world.
One of the most common concerns, however, among educators is actually grading video projects. Grading can feel subjective, especially given the variability in student skill levels. And it seems even more time consuming than a typical grading task, because the reviewer has to watch student submissions and provide tangible feedback (rather than running a scantron through a machine).
That’s where rubrics solve a lot of problems. Well-designed, standards-based grading rubrics make grading clear, efficient, and defensible. Plus, rubrics will allow you to give faster feedback and drive more consistency when you’re grading for multiple classes.
Here’s how to build one that works for your video project (with a template to get you started).
Step 1: Start with what you want to accomplish
In their book, Understanding by Design, authors Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe introduce the concept of backward learning design as a framework to support lesson planning and course development.
Rather than starting with what you want the video to look like — take, for example, the design of a science experiment — reframe what you want the outcome to demonstrate, like student application of the scientific method. Incorporate other relevant standards, such as communication, collaboration, and media literacy skills to gain clarity on how to build your assignment.
Step 2: Define success and build your rubric
Now, use the north stars, if you will, from step 1 to assemble your rubric.
Start with rubric criteria
Think of the rubric criteria as your Y axis. Use these examples to get started, or add in your own to weigh or assess multiple curriculum components.
- Content Understanding: How deeply a student shows they learned the assigned material
- Communication & Storytelling: Everything from the clarity of their message, to the logical flow of their story, to their awareness of their intended audience
- Evidence & Support: Use of data, examples, or references to support their narrative
- Technical Execution: Application of audio, visuals, and editing (though production quality shouldn’t outweigh learning)
- Creativity & Engagement: Ability to hold audience’s attention using original ideas
Create clear performance levels
Think of performance levels as your X axis. Use three to four performance levels, ranging from beginner to advanced, showing progression of understanding.
You can start with this progression and build from there:
- Beginning: Limited or unclear claim
- Developing: Claim present but weakly supported
- Proficient: Clear claim supported with relevant evidence
- Advanced: Compelling claim with strong, well-integrated evidence
Step 3: Put your standards-aligned video rubric together
Now that we have the foundation, it’s time to start building how we will assess performance in each area. In this sample grading rubric, we’ve brought back the science fair project to inform our example.
Final tips to help you move from subjective to structured
Video projects don’t have to be difficult to grade, and they can support students by giving them an expectation to work towards. Make sure to share your rubric with students before the project begins, to help them keep their goals in mind as they work.
Learn more about how to develop interactive video projects that support standards alignment from start to finish.Try WeVideo.