On-line Earth System Science Cooperative Learning Rubric

William Slattery
,
Wright State University

Cooperative learning groups of K-12 teachers use a scoring rubric for development of a group report on the impact of an event on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

What learning is this evaluation activity designed to assess?

The scoring rubric is located at http://www.strategies.org/docs/ESSEA_29OCT/5-8/cintro/classapp.html.

Course Instructors use the rubric to score groups on the accuracy, depth of reasoning and quality of support for their reports of Earth Systems science sphere interactions in response to a natural event, the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

What is the nature of the teaching/learning situation for which your evaluation has been designed?

This rubric is used in an on-line Earth Systems science course designed for Middle School (grades 5-8) classroom educators. Each group of four teachers is composed of members who have previously studied the impact of the eruption on each of the four spheres (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

What advice would you give others using this evaluation?

The scoring rubric is located at http://www.strategies.org/docs/ESSEA_29OCT/5-8/cintro/event.html.

Rubrics are somewhat similar to living organisms in that they change through time. Because there is always room for interpretation and shades of meaning, a trial run of developing a non-graded report using the rubric is suggested.