Creating and Using Rubrics for Automatic Grading in Speakable

Rubric-based grading in Speakable allows teachers to evaluate spoken or written responses quickly and consistently. Whether you want to apply a template, use AI to create a custom rubric, or build one from scratch, the rubric builder gives you full control over how feedback and scores are generated.

This guide walks through the steps for accessing, customizing, and applying rubrics to Open Response Pages in Speakable.

Accessing the Rubric Builder

Rubrics can be added to any Spoken or Written Open Response Page. To open the rubric builder:

1. Open an Open Response Page and scroll to the Grading section.
2. Expand the grading drawer by clicking on it.
3. Select Rubric Grading.
4. Click the rubric to open the Rubric Library.

From here, you can select an existing rubric, edit one, or create a new rubric using a template or AI assistance.

Using a Rubric Template

Speakable provides a set of editable rubric templates to help you get started.

To apply a template:

1. In the Rubric Library, select the Template filter at the top.
2. Browse the available templates.
3. Select one and click Use this Rubric from the top navigation.
4. Choose whether to apply the rubric to the current card or all Respond Cards in the activity.

Templates can be edited after selection to match your grading style and instructional goals.

Using AI to Generate a Rubric

You can also create a rubric using Speakable’s built-in AI support.

1. Click Create New Rubric in the Rubric Library.
2. Enter a prompt describing the type of response or evaluation you want. For example: “Beginner-level Spanish conversation with focus on pronunciation and fluency.”
3. Click Generate, or choose Create from Scratch if you prefer to write it yourself.
4. Click into any section of the rubric to edit. All text—criteria, score descriptions, labels—can be customized.
5. Use the Rubric Settings panel on the right to describe changes you want the AI to make, if needed.
6. When finished, click Use this Rubric and select whether to apply it to one card or all cards in the activity.

Creating a Rubric from Scratch

If you prefer full control, you can build a rubric manually:

1. In the Rubric Library, click Create New Rubric and choose Create from Scratch.
2. Give your rubric a name and brief description.
3. Use the + Add Criterion button to begin adding evaluation categories.
4. Define scoring levels and descriptors for each criterion.
5. When complete, click Use this Rubric and select your application option.

Each criterion must be fully defined before you can apply the rubric.

Setting a Default Rubric

If you want to use the same rubric across multiple activities, you can set a default rubric.

After selecting a rubric, open the Use this Rubric menu and click Set as my default rubric. This rubric will now be pre-selected whenever you add grading to a new Respond Card.

Summary

Rubrics in Speakable allow teachers to deliver consistent, standards-aligned feedback with minimal effort. You can start with a template, generate one using AI, or build a custom rubric from the ground up. Once created, rubrics can be applied to individual cards or to entire activities, and updated at any time.

Rubric-based grading is available for Open Response Pages and integrates with Speakable’s auto-grading tools to help save time while maintaining instructional quality.