Rubrics & Marking Guides

What’s the Difference?

Grading Method Best for Key Features
Rubric Structured, criteria-based grading Rows for criteria, columns for levels of achievement, total calculated automatically
Marking Guide Flexible, narrative feedback Criteria with scores ranges and comments, total is manually entered

Step 1: Enable Advanced Grading in an Assignment

  1. Go to your course and turn Edit mode ON.
  2. Create or edit an Assignment.
  3. Scroll to the Grade section of the assignment settings.
  4. Set the Grading method to either: rubric or marking guide A screenshot of the grading methods in Moodes assignment settings.
  5. Save and return to course.

Step 2: Define the Rubric or Marking Guide

  1. Click on the assignment you just edited.
  2. Under the assignment, select Advanced grading A screenshot of the Assignment administration menu in Moodle with the Advanced grading area cirlced.
  3. Choose one of the following: Create new rubric or marking guide from scratch or Create from a template. Uploaded Image (Thumbnail)

For Rubrics:

  1. Add Criterion: Name each criterion.
  2. Add Levels: For each criterion, define achievement levels and points.
  3. Continue adding criteria and levels.
  4. Save the rubric.

For Marking Guides:

  1. Add Criterion: Give each a name and a maximum score.
  2. Optionally, add: description for students, description for graders and frequently used comments for quick feedback
  3. Save the guide.

Step 3: Grade Using the Rubric or Guide

  1. Open the Assignment.
  2. Click Grade next to a student.
  3. The rubric or marking guide will appear below the student’s submission.
  4. Select levels (rubric) or enter scores and comments (marking guide).
  5. Save the grade.

Editing or Reusing Later

  • You can edit the rubric/guide until grading begins.
  • After grading starts, the rubric/guide becomes locked to ensure fairness.
  • You can create templates or copy existing rubrics for reuse in other assignments.
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