HOW TO CREATE A MARKING GUIDE
Creating a marking guide involves several steps. Here is a general outline to help you get started:
1. Determine the purpose of the marking guide: Decide what you want to assess or evaluate and why. Identify the criteria or learning goals that you want to measure. This will provide the foundation for your marking guide.
2. Develop clear and specific criteria: Break down the overall goal or objectives into smaller, measurable criteria. Each criterion should be specific, observable, and relevant to the task or project being marked. For example, if you are assessing a written essay, criteria could include organization, clarity of ideas, evidence, etc.
3. Assign weights or levels of importance: Determine the weightage or level of importance for each criterion. This will indicate the relative importance of each criterion in the overall assessment. You can assign weights in the form of percentages or points.
4. Create descriptors for each level of performance: Define the different levels of performance for each criterion. Typically, there are multiple levels, such as excellent, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. Develop clear descriptors for each level, outlining what is expected at each level.
5. Design a scoring rubric or scale: Use the criteria and descriptors to create a scoring rubric or scale. This can be a table or a grid that allows you to assign scores or levels of performance based on the criteria and descriptors. Make sure to align the levels with the weights assigned in step 3.
6. Test and refine the marking guide: Before using the marking guide formally, test it on a sample of student work. Use this feedback to refine and revise the guide as needed. Ensure that the guide is fair, reliable, and accurately reflects the intended assessment.
7. Communicate the marking guide to students: Provide students with the marking guide before they begin the task or project. Explain the criteria, weights, and descriptors so that they understand how they will be assessed. This promotes transparency and gives students a clear understanding of expectations.
8. Evaluate student work using the marking guide: Assess student work based on the criteria and descriptors outlined in the marking guide. Apply the rubric or scale consistently and fairly to ensure accuracy and objectivity in the marking process.
Remember, creating a marking guide is an iterative process. It may require revisions and adjustments based on the nature of the task, the specific learning goals, and the feedback received.