[Discussions] Display Discussion Rubrics by Default

[isaac_piercy]

As a K-12, we love that Canvas has built-in rubrics for assignments. We are also thankful that whatever rubric we create is displayed prominently, just beneath the content of the assignment while in student view. This is a great reminder for middle and high school students because it is so easily seen.

For some reason, this is not true of Canvas discussions however. Rather, students must click on the "settings gear" and select "show rubric" to generate a pop up display. This is not ideal, and most of our students forget that rubrics even exist for our online discussions. As an adaptive measure we have begun taking screenshots of our discussion rubrics once they are built and then inserting them at the bottom of the discussion prompt. This is quite time consuming, but we need to do this to keep our student's replies focused and on topic.

I would propose that rubrics for discussions are displayed automatically at the bottom of every discussion prompt, just as they are for general assignments. Or, at the very least, make it a course setting: "display discussion rubrics automatically."

Thanks for considering!

[ssimpso4]

Agreed: I really dislike having to take lengthen the discussion instructions I provide learners just to make them aware of the fact that the discussion rubric is 'hidden'.

Glad this is back for additional consideration!

[jenniferbell]

Adding and viewing discussion rubrics should be done the same as it is with assignments. Educators understand the importance of consistency for effective learning. Students should always know how to access their content online without help. In my case, this consistency is also important for content creators. My higher ed institution just went live for our first semester with Canvas. Learning a new LMS is overwhelming, and Canvas has a ton of new features. I have been an advocate of using the Canvas rubrics because of how easy it makes grading. While most have been eager to use them for assignments, they are often left off of discussions because they don't remember how to add them or think students won't know how to access them.

[bfowler]

Better late than never! We had students confused just today because the rubric was not inline in the discussion forum.

Some instructors create assignment pages specifically linked to discussions to work around this issue, but that's even more work than explaining the gear icon.

[gdiponio]

For those of us who use rubrics--and use them effectively according to the OEI course design rubric--we want to make them readily visible for students in each area of Canvas. Having them readily visible in one spot in Assignments and then having them hidden in another spot in Discussions does not bode well for consistency which is what we are hoping to achieve according to the OEI initiative. We certainly can try the Java Script hack but that doesn't seem like good customer service. 

[costwink]

Rejuvenating this discussion as its been a few months since any activity has occurred.  This realization came to light on campus today and we too encourage the rubric to be displayed for both assignments and discussions.  As someone mentioned above - consistency is important.  Ensuring that students know how they will be evaluated is important - show the rubric easily (just as with assignments).

Thanks

[ChrisMedina]

Can we get attention to this? It is needed and should be part of discussions. 

[downingm]

I just ran into this problem today too -- students are understandably frustrated. I had no idea it was hidden behind the gear until reading this thread -- they can also click on the assignment in the gradebook then click SHOW RUBRIC (as they do once its graded -- works both before and after). Still, this is, as has been pointed out repeatedly, bad form due to inconsistency.  I understand the complexity given that all other rubrics display immediately below the assignment, and with discussions, the responses will be what displays immediately below the prompt. I suggest that a very clear (not buried in the gear) SHOW RUBRIC option display immediately below the discussion prompt. Students can show/hide as they so desire. Responses could display below that toggle. 

[Steven_S]

This year I got creative about my instructions about finding the rubric by embedding a sutori timeline... It's my first timeline, so forgive the clumsiness: Sutori 

I would suggest putting the rubric immediately below any textbox students open to post or reply.

[downingm]

Very helpful!! Thank you!!

Sent from my iPhone

[venitk]

My students don't even have a cog "settings" icon. They access discussions through the Home tab (our institution has turned off the discussions tab)--do you think that's why? This is something I'm looking at through Student View, not by impersonating a particular student (I don't have that ability). Where would the cog be located?