Grade Assessments

How can I effectively, efficiently, and fairly grade assessments?

For any assessment method that you choose, consider how you can fairly and without bias assess student work. Also, consider how much time and effort will be required to grade equitably as part of a strategy to provide students with feedback on their performance on all assessments as soon as feasible. 

Strategies for grading fairly

  • Use a rubric to keep your grading as objective as possible.
  • Anonymize student names.
  • Grade a single question or section at a time. If you have Teaching Assistants, divide up grading by questions or sections.
  • Grade at the same time every day, if possible.

Strategies to maximize grading efficiency

  • Use your rubric to guide your grading. You can copy the language of the rubric to avoid making the same comments on multiple student submissions. You can also use Canvas automated comments for this.
  • Consider Canvas quizzes (or other tools) to provide students with automated feedback on their performance.
  • Consider using Canvas speed grader for efficient grading.
  • Ask students to peer review their classmate’s assignment following a rubric and modify their assignments based on their classmate’s feedback. You will receive higher quality assignments which are often easier to grade.
  • Consider grading lower-stakes assessments and assignments on a +/- or complete/incomplete basis.
  • Consider using group projects for project assessments.
  • Post an answer key as soon as feasible after an assessment so that students can review their performance while the assessment is still fresh in their mind.
  • Consider providing global feedback to students on assessment performance as a form of immediate feedback and follow up later with individual feedback.

Web resources