Hi Everyone,

A few have already submitted the Midterm – which is due on Tuesday night.

Here is what you need to know for the Discussion Board Questions. Some general policies you need to follow are:

• #1 Get your initial post up by Thursday night – and it should have at least one reference or citation backing up your thoughts.
• #2 Complete two or more response posts to either me or classmates by Sunday night. 1-2 paragraphs for each post is appropriate for these response posts, no citation needed on these (unless necessary).

I would like only 5 Main Threads each week.

• If you want to answer the Discussion question for the week – then you should post early in the week and create 1 of the 5 main threads. Before you post – check to see how many threads have been created.
• When you title your thread, please label it #1, #2, #3, #4, #5. So, if there are already 3 threads created, when you post label it “#4 ……….”.
• After the 5 main threads are created/posted, everyone else needs to post within 1 of the 5 threads. That means if there are already 5 threads answering the discussion question – then you need to post your original (1st) post as a response to 1 of the 5 main threads. That post does not have to be to the author of the thread – it could be to someone else’s comment in that thread or one of my comments – that’s fine.
• When posting your first post – please do not re-answer the question of the week. Please try to contribute to the conversation – if you are not one of the 5 main thread authors.
• Regardless if you lead/create/post 1 of the 5 main threads – you need to have your 1st post up by Thursday and at least 2 more by Sunday night. The key here is that only 5 students will start off discussions which answer the DB question. Everyone else will be responding with comments and helpful thoughts within a thread to the Author, someone else’s comments or one of my comments.
• I won’t take off any points if you accidentally post the 6th or 7th thread – but please try to keep all posting in 5 threads.

 I’ve been teaching on-campus and online for 13 years, it’s hard to come up with many original responses to 1 question. By only having 5 main threads – it creates a much deeper discussion for each thread. This structure makes the DB’s much more interesting and less repetitive. I hope you like this structure!

If you have any questions about the posting requirements, e-mail me directly (

m.tasto@snhu.edu

) or post a question in the general questions DB. Have fun with the discussion this week! I look forward to reading the 5 threads!

The attached Grading Rubric is for “Undergraduate” however this applies equally for “Graduate” discussions.

See you in the Module Discussion this week! (-:

Dr. Tasto

Attachment(s): 

Undergraduate Discussion

Rubric

Overview

Your active participation in the discussions is essential to your overall success this term. Discussion questions will help you make meaningful connections
between the course content and the larger concepts of the course. These discussions give you a chance to express your own thoughts, ask questions, and gain
insight from your peers and instructor.

Directions

For each discussion, you must create one initial post and follow up with at least two response posts.

For your initial post, do the following:

 Write a post of 1 to 2 paragraphs.

 In Module One, complete your initial post by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

 In Modules Two through Eight, complete your initial post by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.

 Consider content from other parts of the course where appropriate. Use proper citation methods for your discipline when referencing scholarly or
popular sources.

For your response posts, do the following:

 Reply to at least two classmates outside of your own initial post thread.

 In Module One, complete your two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

 In Modules Two through Eight, complete your two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.

 Demonstrate more depth and thought than saying things like “I agree” or “You are wrong.” Guidance is provided for you in the discussion prompt.

Rubric

Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Value

Comprehension Develops an initial post with an
organized, clear point of view or
idea using rich and significant detail
(100%)

Develops an initial post with a
point of view or idea using
adequate organization and
detail (85%)

Develops an initial post with a
point of view or idea but with
some gaps in organization and
detail (55%)

Does not develop an initial post
with an organized point of view
or idea (0%)

40

Timeliness N/A Submits initial post on time
(100%)

Submits initial post one day late
(55%)

Submits initial post two or more
days late (0%)

10

Engagement Provides relevant and meaningful
response posts with clarifying
explanation and detail (100%)

Provides relevant response
posts with some explanation
and detail (85%)

Provides somewhat relevant
response posts with some
explanation and detail (55%)

Provides response posts that
are generic with little
explanation or detail (0%)

30

Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Value

Writing
(Mechanics)

Writes posts that are easily
understood, clear, and concise
using proper citation methods
where applicable with no errors in
citations (100%)

Writes posts that are easily
understood using proper
citation methods where
applicable with few errors in
citations (85%)

Writes posts that are
understandable using proper
citation methods where
applicable with a number of
errors in citations (55%)

Writes posts that others are not
able to understand and does
not use proper citation
methods where applicable (0%)

20

Total 100%