View source for Rubric Assessment Modes

RCampus supports four assessment modes, each designed for a different workflow. Choose a mode when setting up an assignment — it determines how raters interact with the rubric and how final scores are calculated.


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== Quick Comparison ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Mode !! Who rates !! Sees prior ratings? !! How final score is set
|-
| '''Single/Sequential''' || One or more raters || Yes — shared view || The active assessment is the final score
|-
| '''Multi-Rater/Juried''' || Multiple raters independently || No — blind to each other || Scores are averaged after all raters submit
|-
| '''Collaborative''' || Multiple raters, each owns sections || Only their own sections || Sections are combined into one rubric
|-
| '''Moderated''' ([[iRubric Rapid]] only) || Multiple raters + a designated moderator || Moderator sees all; raters are blind || Moderator issues the final score
|}



== Single/Sequential Assessment ==

In Single/Sequential mode, there is one assessment per evaluatee. A single rater can complete it entirely, or multiple raters can modify the work of the last one sequentially.

{| class="wikitable"
! Typical use || Solo rater or shared rating within a team
|-
! Final score || Whatever is saved in the rubric at the time of publishing
|-
! Self-assessment || Available as a separate tab
|-
! Combine step required? || No
|}

'''Example:''' A course has two co-instructors. Either one can open an evaluatee's rubric and score it. If both make changes, the last saved version is what the evaluatee sees.


== Multi-Rater/Juried Assessment ==

In Multi-Rater/Juried mode, each rater scores evaluatees independently. 

{| class="wikitable"
! Typical use || Jury-style assessment, inter-rater reliability studies, large assignments with a shared rating load
|-
! Final score || Average of all submitted rater assessments
|-
! Self-assessment || Available as a separate tab; not included in the average
|-
! Combine step required? || Yes — must click "Calculate final grades"
|}

'''Example:''' Five raters share a cohort of 30 evaluatees. Each rater scores roughly 6 evaluatees, though some may be rated by 2–3 raters for reliability. When the team is satisfied, any rater clicks "Calculate final grades" to average all ratings and prepare them for publishing.


== Collaborative Assessment ==

In collaborative mode, each rater scores a different set of rubric criteria, based on their expertise.

{| class="wikitable"
! Typical use || Interdisciplinary assessments where different raters own different criteria
|-
! Final score || All sections combined into one complete rubric score
|-
! Self-assessment || Available as a separate tab
|-
! Combine step required? || Yes — sections are merged after all raters complete their sections
|}

'''Example:''' A capstone project rubric has six criteria. The writing assessor scores the three communication criteria; the subject-matter assessor scores the three technical criteria. The final score reflects all six criteria.


== Moderated Assessment ==

{{Note|Moderated assessment is available exclusively in '''[[iRubric Rapid]]'''.}}

Moderated assessment combines the objectivity of independent multi-rater scoring with a human oversight step. Raters score evaluatees independently without seeing each other's work. A designated moderator then reviews all ratings side by side and issues the official final score — which may differ from the average if the moderator judges it appropriate.

{| class="wikitable"
! Typical use || High-stakes assessments, accreditation reviews, situations where human judgment must override averaging
|-
! Final score || Set by the moderator after reviewing all ratings
|-
! Self-assessment || Available; moderator can view as reference
|-
! Combine step required? || Yes — moderator submits the final assessment
|-
! Availability || [[iRubric Rapid]] only
|}

'''Example:''' Three assessors each score a thesis defense independently. The department chair, acting as moderator, reviews all three assessments and issues the official score — taking into account the ratings but applying their own judgment where raters disagree significantly.

=== Difference from Multi-Rater/Juried ===

Both moderated and Multi-Rater/Juried modes involve multiple raters scoring independently. The key difference is how the final score is determined:

{| class="wikitable"
! !! Multi-Rater/Juried !! Moderated
|-
! Final score set by
| Automatic average || Moderator's judgment
|-
! Human review of disagreements
| Optional (flagged for review) || Required (moderator decides)
|-
! Can override the average?
| No || Yes
|-
! Best for
| Shared rating load, reliability checks || High-stakes, accreditation, appeals
|-
! Availability
| All plans || [[iRubric Rapid]] only
|}



== How to Choose a Mode ==

If you are unsure which mode to use, these questions can help narrow it down.

=== Is only one rater responsible for scoring? ===

Use '''Single/Sequential'''. Even if multiple raters have access, Single/Sequential mode keeps things simple with one rubric per evaluatee.

* Available in [[Gradebook]]

=== Do multiple raters each need to score the same evaluatee independently? ===

Use '''Multi-Rater/Juried''' if you want the final score to be an automatic average, or '''Moderated''' ([[iRubric Rapid]] only) if you need a designated person to review all ratings and issue the score manually.

* Available in [[iRubric Rapid]], [[Matrices|RCampus Matrix]]

=== Do different raters own different parts of the rubric? ===

Use '''Collaborative'''. Each rater scores only their assigned criteria, and the sections are combined into one complete rubric.

* Available in [[Matrices|RCampus Matrix]]

=== Is this a high-stakes assessment where averaging is not sufficient? ===

Use '''Moderated''' ([[iRubric Rapid]] only). A moderator can review all ratings and exercise judgment before the score is finalized — particularly useful for thesis reviews, accreditation portfolios, or any situation where institutional accountability matters.

* Available in [[iRubric Rapid]]

{{Note|You can change the assessment mode of an assignment before any scoring has begun. Once any rater has submitted a rating, the mode is locked.}}


== See Also ==
*[[IRubric|iRubric]]
*[[Program Assessment]]
*[[Rubric assessment|Rubric Assessment]]
*[[Matrix Assessment]]
*[[Program and Unit Planning & Assessment]]
*[[Collaborative assessment|Collaborative Assessment]]
*[[Rubric Assessment Modes]]




[[Category:Assessments]]
[[Category:Rubrics]]