Download

Download as Word Document (DOCX)

Designing Rubrics for AI-Enabled Assignments

This resource provides templates and guidance for creating effective evaluation rubrics for engineering assignments that incorporate AI tools. These rubrics are designed to assess both technical competency and appropriate AI use.

Why AI-Specific Rubrics Matter

Traditional assessment rubrics may not adequately evaluate how students:

Appropriately leverage AI capabilities
Critically evaluate AI-generated content
Demonstrate their own understanding despite AI assistance
Document their AI use process

Well-designed rubrics for AI-enabled assignments help instructors fairly evaluate student work in this new environment while incentivizing appropriate AI use.

Sample Rubrics

1. Engineering Design Project Rubric

This rubric is designed for evaluating design projects where students may use AI tools for ideation, analysis, or documentation.

| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) | |---------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------| | Problem Understanding | • Deep understanding of problem• AI enhances understanding• Critical use of AI insights | • Good understanding• AI appropriately used for clarification• Some verification | • Basic understanding• Over-reliance on AI for definition• Limited verification | • Minimal understanding• Uncritical acceptance of AI framing• No verification | | Design Process Documentation | • Clear AI vs. original work documentation• Thoughtful reflection on AI contributions• Strategic AI use decisions | • Good AI use documentation• Reflection on benefits/limitations• Reasonable AI use | • Basic AI use documentation• Minimal reflection• Inconsistent AI use | • Poor/missing documentation• No reflection• Random AI use | | Technical Analysis | • Rigorous design analysis• AI used strategically• Enhanced work quality | • Solid analysis• Appropriate AI use for calculations• Good verification | • Basic analysis• Excessive AI reliance• Limited verification | • Minimal analysis• Uncritical AI output acceptance• No verification | | Innovation & Creativity | • Original ideas enhanced by AI• Novel combinations/applications• AI as inspiration | • Balance of original thinking and AI• Some novel applications• Appropriate AI assistance | • Limited originality• Heavy AI reliance• Few original contributions | • Minimal originality• Direct use of AI suggestions• No modifications | | Communication Quality | • Exceptional clarity• Strategic AI communication use• Strong personal voice | • Clear communication• Appropriate AI editing use• Maintained voice | • Basic communication• Over-reliance on AI content• Inconsistent voice | • Poor communication• Unedited AI content• No personal voice |

Download Full Rubric Template (DOCX)

2. Technical Report Assessment Rubric

This rubric evaluates technical reports where students may use AI for research, analysis, or writing assistance.

| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) | |---------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------| | Literature Review | • Comprehensive review• AI used to identify sources• Critical evaluation of AI suggestions | • Solid review• Appropriate AI use for source discovery• Some verification | • Basic review• Over-reliance on AI summaries• Limited verification | • Minimal review• Uncritical acceptance of AI summaries• No verification | | Technical Accuracy | • Highly accurate content• AI enhances accuracy• Thorough verification | • Generally accurate• AI used for verification• Good fact-checking | • Some inaccuracies• Minimal verification of AI outputs• Limited fact-checking | • Significant inaccuracies• No verification of AI outputs• No fact-checking | | Analysis & Synthesis | • Sophisticated analysis• AI enhances depth• Strong independent thinking | • Good analysis• Appropriate AI integration• Evidence of own thinking | • Basic analysis• Heavy AI reliance• Limited original insights | • Minimal analysis• Direct use of AI outputs• No demonstration of understanding | | Citation & Attribution | • Perfect citations• Clear AI attribution• Transparent AI use | • Proper citations• Appropriate AI acknowledgment• Consistent attribution | • Some citation issues• Inconsistent AI acknowledgment• Unclear attribution | • Poor citations• No AI acknowledgment• Missing attribution | | Writing Quality | • Exceptional writing• Strategic AI enhancement• Consistent voice | • Solid writing• Appropriate AI editing• Mostly consistent voice | • Basic writing quality• Excessive AI-generated text• Inconsistent voice | • Poor writing• Unedited AI content• No personal voice |

Implementation Guidelines

For Instructors

Be explicit about AI use expectations
- Clearly communicate where and how AI tools may be used
- Specify documentation requirements for AI assistance
Focus on process, not just outcomes
- Require documentation of AI interactions
- Ask for reflection on how AI influenced the work
Emphasize critical evaluation
- Reward verification and validation of AI outputs
- Assess how students evaluate AI-generated content

For Students

Document your AI use process
- Record prompts used and how outputs were incorporated
- Explain your decision-making about accepting/modifying AI suggestions
Demonstrate understanding
- Explain concepts in your own words
- Show how you verified or improved upon AI outputs
Use AI strategically
- Focus on using AI to enhance your work, not replace your thinking
- Be prepared to explain your AI use choices

Customization Tips

The provided templates should be adapted based on:

Course level (introductory vs. advanced)
Assignment specifics and learning objectives
Department or institutional policies on AI use
Specific AI tools being utilized

This resource was developed in collaboration with Claude-3.7 Sonnet.