How AI Grading Works in Speakable

Teachers face a wide range of goals when assessing student performance—from checking basic grammar to tracking progress toward standards like WIDA or ACTFL. This guide is here to help you understand which page types and AI grading methods in Speakable match those goals best.

We’ll walk through each page type, the grading methods available for them, how feedback and scores are delivered, how to set your grading preferences, and how AI credits work. Whether you're giving a quick grammar check or evaluating open-ended speaking, you'll have the tools to do it efficiently and effectively.

Page Types and AI Grading Methods

Speakable supports two types of response pages, each designed to suit different instructional needs:

Open Response Pages

Open Response pages support both spoken and written responses. They are ideal for assessing expressive language, open-ended thinking, and student voice.

Grading Methods for Open Response

1. Pass/Fail
   • Best for: Grammar checks, quick practice prompts
   • How it works: You define a prompt and set clear pass criteria. The AI checks if the student meets those expectations.
   • Why use it: Quick setup, great for grammar practice or when checking for specific phrasing or vocabulary.
2. Rubric-Based Grading
   • Best for: Paragraph writing or extended speaking tasks
   • How it works: Create or select a rubric with multiple evaluation criteria. Speakable applies the rubric using AI to score the student’s response.
   • Why use it: Offers rich, structured feedback and aligns closely to classroom grading norms.
3. Proficiency-Based Grading
   • Best for: ACTFL, WIDA, or CEFR-aligned tasks
   • How it works: Choose a standard and a target proficiency level. Speakable scores the response and offers feedback based on how close the student is to meeting the goal.
   • Why use it: Aligns instruction with proficiency-based standards and tracks growth over time.
4. Manual Grading
   • Best for: Complex, creative, or sensitive content
   • How it works: You receive the student’s response without any AI evaluation. Review, score, and leave feedback manually in your Gradebook.
   • Why use it: Provides full control over scoring and narrative feedback.

Short Answer Pages

Short Answer is a separate page type for factual or accuracy-based questions where there’s a correct response. These support text responses only and are graded using a single grading method.

Grading Method for Short Answer

• Correct Answer
  • Best for: Vocabulary, grammar concepts, and factual questions
  • How it works: Speakable matches student answers to known correct responses. Teachers can specify an answer, but AI often recognizes the correct response automatically.
  • Why use it: Great for fill-in-the-blank, translation, and basic concept checks—fast, low-credit, and accurate.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Translate a word to or from the target language
• Fill-in-the-blank for grammar practice
• Concept checks (e.g., "What is an infinitive?")
• Factual recall (e.g., "Who was the first president of the United States?")

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Quick Guide: Which Grading Method Should I Use?

How AI Grading Works Behind the Scenes

When teachers assign an activity, they select the page type and AI grading method within the activity builder.

Here’s how it flows:

1. Students submit their responses.
2. Speakable auto-grades them based on your selected method (unless set to Manual).
3. Feedback is shown to students (Practice Mode) or withheld until reviewed (Assessment Mode).
4. Teachers can view and adjust scores and feedback in the Gradebook.

Practice Mode vs. Assessment Mode

Every activity in Speakable can be assigned in two ways:

Practice Mode

• Feedback and scores appear immediately after submission.
• Ideal for daily practice, formative checks, and revision.

Assessment Mode

• Feedback and scores remain hidden until teacher review.
• Best for quizzes, evaluations, and grading periods.

Setting Your Default AI Grading Method

Save time by setting your preferred AI grading method for new Open Response pages.

To set a default:

• Open any activity in the activity builder.
• Select your grading method in the Grading Settings panel.
• Click "Set as Default" to apply it for future use.

You can also set defaults from the main Settings panel.

Important: AI Grading and Official Scores

Reminder: AI-generated scores are designed to help guide instruction—not replace formal assessment. Always review AI-graded responses before using them for report cards, placement, or high-stakes decisions.

Videos to Help You Get Started

• Setting Up Spoken Open Response Pages
• Setting Up Written Open Response Pages
• Using the Bulk Page Creator

By offering different page types and AI grading methods, Speakable gives teachers the flexibility to match activities to instructional goals—whether they’re practicing grammar, building writing fluency, or checking for understanding. Speakable saves time, supports standards, and empowers teachers to focus on what matters most: student growth.