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Comparison Chart of Canvas Rubrics, Google Assignment Rubrics, and Gradescope Rubrics

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When grading online assignments, having a clear and effective rubric is essential. Canvas has different assignment platforms with varying rubric features and functionalities.

In this comparison chart, we'll look at three popular tools for grading and assessment—Canvas, Google Assignments, and Gradescope—and their rubric capabilities. This chart will help you make informed decisions and better understand these essential features. 

 

Tool Canvas Rubrics Google Assignment Rubrics Gradescope Rubrics
Assignment type that can graded Assignments and discussions1 Assignments submitted as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, PDFs Quizzes, essays, programming assignments, & exam questions
Rubric visibility for students Before submission and after grading Before submission and after grading Partial. Only after receiving their grade2
Rubric creation Before student submissions3 Before and after student submissions Before and after student submissions
Rubric flexibility  No. The rubric can’t be edited while grading. Changes to a rubric4 do not apply retroactively to graded submissions  No. You can’t edit or delete a rubric after you start grading with it Yes. The rubric can be edited on the fly and changes apply retroactively to other graded submissions
Qualitative feedback within the rubric. Yes. As free-form comments No5 No5
Format rubric items No No Yes. Accepts Markdown and LaTeX
Type of scoring Positive points and ranges Positive Positive and negative points
Extra Credit Yes6 No Yes
Grading workflow Per student Per student Per question
Reuse a rubric Yes7 Yes Yes
Share a rubric Yes8 Yes No

 

Notes: 

  1. You may add a rubric to a quiz, but you won’t have the option to use the rubric to grade the quiz
  2. Instructors can choose to hide the rubrics from students.
  3. Verify its accuracy and completeness before attaching the same rubric to multiple assignments. To edit, detach the rubric from all but one assignment, then reattach the updated version to all assignments
  4. You cannot edit a rubric attached to multiple assignments in a course. Instead, create a copy of the rubric and edit the duplicate.
  5. Qualitative feedback can be provided outside of these rubrics as a comment.
  6. To include extra credit in a Canvas Rubric, the rubric’s total points should exceed the total points entered in the assignment details. E.g., in an assignment worth 10 points and with 2 points of extra credit, the rubric should display 12 points.  Follow these steps to create a Canvas Rubric that's used for grading: 
    1. Add all the assessment criterion and their points. These total points should be the same points as the assignment’s points.
    2. Add an “extra credit” criterion to the rubric. 
    3. Enter the amount of extra credit in the Pts box. 
    4. Check the box  Use this rubric for assignment grading
    5. Click Update Rubric
    6. A window labeled “Change Assignment Points to Match Rubric” will pop up. Click Leave Different
  1. To reuse rubrics from outside Canvas courses in a new course, import them through the Import Course Content tool or use the Find a rubric link:
    1. Create an assignment in the new course 
    2. Click +Rubric
    3. Select Find a rubric at the top right corner
    4. Find the rubric from the previous course and attach it to the new assignment
  1. To share a Canvas rubric with another instructor:
    1. Create a blank assignment and attach the rubric you wish to share.
    2. Share the assignment with the instructor.
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