1. Start with a rubric! Why?
   • Transparency - Creating and sharing a rubric with your students makes your expectations clear and transparent. Students know what you want from them in the assignment when they have a rubric.
   • Consistency - Using a rubric can make your grading more consistent among all students. If you stick to the rubric components when reviewing assignments you will be more likely to grade fairly and consistently.
   • Reduces grade complaints - When students know your expectations and can see what they missed in a rubric, they are less likely to question the grade you assign.
   • Clarity - Creating a rubric forces you to think through the criteria for the assignment before you share it with students, providing a better structure and clarity for your students.
   • Reduces bias - When you use a rubric for grading, you grade based on the elements in the assignment and not what you know about the student.
     • For examples review Edutopia: How Do Rubrics Help?
     • For how to add them to your course review Canvas: Rubrics Overview
2. Provide Clear Instructions
   • When students know what you expect, they do better. Provide as much information as possible so that students can successfully complete the assignment. Share your grading rubric!
     • Review UTSA Faculty Rights and Responsibilities to ensure you meet all UTSA standards and requirements for grading.
3. Promote a Growth Mindset
   • Allow Multiple Submissions, Retakes or Dropping Lowest Score - Make resubmission a part of the learning process. Provide feedback and give students the opportunity to redo an assignment, retake an exam, or drop a low quiz score.
   • Offer Learning Resources - Provide students with resources that will help them improve when they miss the mark.
   • On Exams:
     • Provide an "unsure" option.
     • Use a test wrapper for metacognition. Ask students how and when they studied and what they can do better next time to prepare.
     • Use LMS tools to provide instant feedback on exams and quizzes.
       • For more visit the How do I leave feedback comments for student submissions in SpeedGrader page and the How do I use the Comment Library in SpeedGrader page
4. Grade Anonymously
   • When possible, grade assignments with names hidden. This reduces the opportunity for bias. For how review Canvas: How do I hide student names in SpeedGrader?
     • Consider "Ungrading"
       • Ungrading Light: 4 Simple Ways to Ease the Spotlight Off Grading.
       • What I've Learned from Ungrading.
       • Some Colleges Mull the Idea of Ungrading for Freshmen Students.
       • Ungrading: An FAQ.
5. Provide Effective Feedback
   • Effective feedback is essential for guiding students toward academic success, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement.

• Set aside a time each day or week for grading.
• Let students know when and how you will provide feedback for each assignment or assessment.
• Be kind. Think about how you would feel reading your comment before you share it with the student.
• Consider video feedback for a more personal touch.
  • Use the Canvas Gradebook to record audio or video feedback and use the comment library to help streamline your grading.  For more visit the How do I leave feedback comments for student submissions in SpeedGrader page, the How do I use the Comment Library in SpeedGrader page, and read Creating a Wise Feedback Framing Statement.

For more, review these additional resources: 

• UTSA Grades
• Effective Feedback
• Canvas to myUTSA Account Grade Transfer​ Process
• How to Give Your Students Better Feedback with Technology (if prompted to login, use your UTSA email)

For support, email [email protected] call 210-458-4520 or book a consultation with our TLDT experts.