ASSESS participation.
How many of your students volunteer to do optional or extra work? We thought so.
Most studies agree that if it's not required, students won't do it. Incorporate discussions as a graded category in your grade book. One study says that 20% of overall grade causes meaningful participation. Clearly communicate your expectations and your grading criteria. Best way to do this is to use rubrics. There are countless examples of grading rubrics online. |
Here is a sample rubric from a Weekly Discussions activity.
Grading of Discussion and Private Messages (DPM) assignments:
Each of your posts (original post & replies) will be graded separately then added together for your assignment grade. To view feedback and grade breakdown, go to DPM, and click on “View Forum Scores” link to the right of the Forum title. Evaluation and scoring of your messages will be done using the following rubrics:
Rubric for Initial Post: Value 6 points
Criteria: Substance (Post explores, explains, and expands upon the issue being discussed.)
Rubric for Response Post: Value 4 points
Criteria 1: Quality (up to 3 points)
You are required to reply to one classmate, but you can earn an extra point each week by replying to 2 additional classmates at a minimum level of "Accomplished" in both criteria.
Grading of Discussion and Private Messages (DPM) assignments:
Each of your posts (original post & replies) will be graded separately then added together for your assignment grade. To view feedback and grade breakdown, go to DPM, and click on “View Forum Scores” link to the right of the Forum title. Evaluation and scoring of your messages will be done using the following rubrics:
Rubric for Initial Post: Value 6 points
Criteria: Substance (Post explores, explains, and expands upon the issue being discussed.)
- Exemplary (6 points) - Post very clearly demonstrates that relevant course information was understood. Analyzes and applies course concepts, theories, or materials correctly, using examples or supporting evidence.
- Accomplished (5 points) - Post somewhat clearly demonstrates that relevant course information was understood. Applies relevant course concepts, theories, or materials correctly.
- Developing (3 points) - Post is somewhat unclear that relevant course information was understood. Explains relevant course concepts, theories, or materials.
- Beginning (2 points) - Post demonstrates course material was read, but is very unclear that relevant course information was understood. Does not explain relevant course concepts, theories, or materials.
Rubric for Response Post: Value 4 points
Criteria 1: Quality (up to 3 points)
- Exemplary (3 points) - Response significantly adds to the discussion by suggesting other solutions, pointing out problems, or even respectfully disagreeing. Student also substantiates his/her comments with reasoning or source citation.
- Accomplished (2 points) - Response moderately adds to the discussion by suggesting other solutions, pointing out problems, or even respectfully disagreeing. Student does not substantiate his/her comments with reasoning or source citation.
- Developing (1 points) - Post is somewhat unclear that relevant course information was understood. Explains relevant course concepts, theories, or materials.
- Unsatisfactory (0 points) - Response is not related to the post; or displays disrespectful and/or unprofessional content.
- Exemplary (1 point) - Reply builds upon and integrates multiple views from other learners and results in the discussion being taken deeper.
- Accomplished (0.5 point) - Reply attempts to elicit additional reflections from other learners to take the discussion deeper.
- Unsatisfactory (0 points) - Reply does not attempt to elicit responses and reflections from other learners to take the discussion deeper.
You are required to reply to one classmate, but you can earn an extra point each week by replying to 2 additional classmates at a minimum level of "Accomplished" in both criteria.
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