Discussion Forum Participation Rubric
Participation in the discussion forums is critical for maximizing your learning experiences in this course. You are required to be part of an online community who interact, through discussion, to enhance and support the development of the group. Asynchronous discussion enhances learning as you share your ideas, perspectives, and experiences with the class.
You develop and refine your thoughts through the writing process, plus broaden your classmates’ understanding of the course content. Part of the assessment criteria for the course includes assessing the quality and quantity of your participation in the discussion forum.
Some characteristics we consider to be part of excellent discussion contributions are outlined below.
- You should submit your posts regularly throughout the semester. Generally, you will have one topic, one article, or one video to analyze per week (with some exceptions). You should have activity at least one time during the week, this is at minimal.
- Your posts and responses should be thorough and thoughtful. Just posting an "I agree" or "Good ideas" will not be considered adequate. Support your statements with examples, experiences, or references. You are, however, encouraged to be brief — keep each post and response to one paragraph or a sentence or two. Keep in mind that your fellow learners will be reading and responding to you, too.
- Make certain to address the discussion prompt(s). This does not mean you should not extend the topic, but do not stray from the topic.
- Discussions occur when there is dialogue. So, build upon the posts and responses of other learners to create discussion threads. Make sure you revisit the discussion forum and respond (if necessary) to what other learners have posted to your initial responses.
- When relevant, add to the discussion by including prior knowledge, experiences, references, web sites, resources, etc.
- Proofread your posts, grammar and spelling errors should be minimal.
Grading Rubric (3 pts per week according to the following criteria)
- Meaningful and New Ideas: Ideas examine topic from new perspective that contributes to group understanding of topic
- Message Coherence: Messages explain issues, provide new perspectives, effectively questions, or elaborates on topic
- Relevance of Replies to Other Messages: Responses elaborate, contradict,modify, or explain the original message
In addition to your weekly participation grade, you will be assigned a FINAL grade on participation.
FINAL DISCUSSION GRADE RUBRIC |
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Criteria |
Unacceptable 0 Points |
Needs Work 2 Points |
Satisfactory 3 pts |
Good 4 Points |
Excellent 5 Points |
Frequency |
No evidence |
Has participated, but posts are infrequent or not meaningful or off topic |
Participates on occasion, posts are minimal, off topic or not timely | Participates, but perhaps sporadically, not consistent,or posts are minimal |
Presence on discussions is frequent , with meaningful comments throughout the week (or in response to topics) |
Response to Initial Posting (article, video, question, etc) |
No evidence |
Posts adequate assignment with superficial thought and preparation; doesn’t address all aspects of the task. |
Posts do not always address the question or prompt, do not generally show depth of thought | Posts well developed thoughts that attempt to address the question or prompt |
Posts well developed thoughts that fully addresses the question or prompt |
Follow-Up Postings |
No evidence |
Posts shallow contribution to discussion (e.g., agrees or disagrees); does not enrich discussion. |
Elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or observation that attempts to further discussion | Elaborates on an existing posting with further comment or observation, faciltates discussion |
Demonstrates analysis of others’ posts; extends meaningful discussion by building on previous posts, promotes further discussion |
Content Contribution |
Posts information that is off-topic, incorrect, or irrelevant to discussion. |
Repeats but does not add substantive information to the discussion. |
Posts information that is usually factually correct; lacks full development, insight, or meaning, or irrelevant | Posts information that is factually correct; but lacks full development of concept or thought, inconsistent |
Posts factually correct, reflective and substantive contribution; includes personal insights or examples; advances the discussions |
References & Support |
Includes no references or supporting experience. |
Uses personal experience, but no references to readings or research. |
Incorporates a few references from literature and personal experience, adds details | Incorporates some references from literature and personal experience, or particularly insightful. |
Uses references to literature, readings, or personal experience to support comments, comments are insightful and provide further information or details |
Clarity & Mechanics |
Posts long, unorganized or rude content that may contain multiple errors or may be inappropriate. |
Contributes information to discussion, sometimes lacking in clarity or relevancy. Comments are difficult to interpret or can be perceived as discourteous |
Communicates in a generally courteous way. Contributes information to discussion, sometimes lacking in clarity or relevancy | Communicates in friendly, courteous and helpful manner. Contributes valuable information to discussion with minor clarity or mechanics errors. |
Communicates in friendly, courteous and helpful manner. Contributes to discussion with clear, concise comments formatted in an easy to read style that is free of grammatical or spelling errors. |