In discussions, you, as a student, will interact with your instructor and classmates to explore topics related to the content of this course. You will be graded for the following.
1. Attendance
Weekly discussion: Discussions are a critical learning experience in the online classroom. Participation in each discussion is required. Each discussion earns a maximum of 15 points per module.
2. Guidelines and Rubric for Discussions
Purpose: Threaded discussions are designed to promote dialogue between faculty and students, and students and their peers. In the discussions, students should
- demonstrate an understanding of the concepts for the module;
- integrate professional resources;
- engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue with classmates; and
- express thoughts clearly and logically.
Participation requirement: You are required to post a minimum of three times in each discussion. These three posts must be on a minimum of two separate days. You must respond to the initial discussion question by 11:59 p.m. MT on Wednesday. To receive credit for a week's discussion, students may begin posting no earlier than the Sunday immediately before each module opens.
3. Threaded Discussion Guiding Principles
The ideas and beliefs underpinning the Threaded Discussions (TDs) guide students through engaging dialogues as they achieve the desired learning outcomes and competencies associated with their course in a manner that empowers them to organize, integrate, apply, and critically appraise their knowledge to their selected field of practice. The use of TDs provides students with opportunities to contribute level-appropriate knowledge and experience to the topic in a safe, caring, and fluid environment that models professional and social interaction. The TD's ebb and flow is based upon the composition of student and faculty interaction in the quest for relevant scholarship. Participation in the TDs generates opportunities for students to actively engage in the written ideas of others by carefully reading, researching, reflecting, and responding to the contributions of their peers and course faculty. Threaded Discussions foster the development of members into a community of learners as they share ideas and inquiries, consider perspectives that may be different from their own, and integrate knowledge from other disciplines.
4. Grading Rubric
Discussion Criteria | Outstanding or highest level of performance (4 points)
| Very good or high level of performance (3-2 points)
| Competent or satisfactory level of performance (1 point)
| Poor or failing or unsatisfactory level of performance (0 point)
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Answers the initial graded discussion question(s)/topic(s), demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the concepts for the module. | Addresses all aspects of the initial discussion question(s) applying experiences, knowledge, and understanding regarding all modular concepts. AND, Posts initial response to the discussion no later than Wednesday of the week. | Addresses most aspects of the initial discussion question(s) applying experiences, knowledge, and understanding of most of the modular concepts. AND, Posts initial response to the discussion no later than Wednesday of the week. (Maximum of 2 points if initial response is posted to the discussion AFTER Wednesday of the week.) | Addresses minimal aspects of the initial discussion question(s) applying experiences, knowledge, and understanding of some of the modular concepts. | Does not address the initial discussion question(s). |
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Integrates evidence to support discussion. Sources are credited.* (APA format not required.) | Integrates evidence to support your discussion from - assigned readings** or online lessons
AND - at least one outside scholarly source.***
Sources are credited.* | Integrates evidence to support discussion from - assigned readings ** or online lesson
BUT, - No outside scholarly sources are integrated into the discussion.
Sources are credited.* | Integrates evidence to support discussion only from an outside source, with no mention of assigned readings or lesson. Sources are credited.* | Does not integrate any evidence. |
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Engages in meaningful dialogue with classmates or instructor before the end of the week.
| Responds to a classmate or instructor's post furthering the dialogue by providing more information and seeking clarification, thereby adding significant depth to the discussion. | Responds to a classmate or instructor's post furthering the dialogue by providing more information or seeking clarification, thereby adding limited depth to the discussion. | Responds to a classmate or instructor but does not further the discussion. | No response post to another student or instructor before the close of the week. |
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| Outstanding or highest level of performance (3 points)
| Very good or high level of performance (2 points)
| Competent or satisfactory level of performance (1 point)
| Poor or failing or unsatisfactory level of performance (0 points)
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Communicates in a professional manner. | Presents information using clear and concise language in an organized manner (NO errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation). | Presents information in an organized manner (minimal, meaning fewer than 3, errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation). | Presents information using understandable language but is somewhat disorganized (more than 3 errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation). | Presents information that is not clear, logical, professional, nor organized to the point that the reader has difficulty understanding the message (significant errors in English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation). |
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* Credited means stating where the information came from (specific article, text, or lesson). Examples: Our text discusses.... The information from our lesson states..., Smith (2010) claimed that..., Mary Manners (personal communication, November 17, 2011)... APA formatting is not required.
** Assigned readings are those listed on the Syllabus or Learning Activities page as required reading. This may include text readings, required articles, or required websites and media.
*** Scholarly source—per the APA Guidelines, only scholarly sources should be used in written assignments. These include peer-reviewed publications, government reports, or sources written by a professional or scholar in the field. Wikipedia, Wikis, .com websites, or blogs should not be used because anyone can add to these. Outside sources do not include assigned required readings.