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Class Discussion Rubric

Discussion is an important and significant part of this online course.  While class discussion whether online or face to face, can be characterized by free flowing conversation, there are identifiable characteristics that distinguish exemplary contributions to class discussion from those of lesser quality.  The criteria found on the rubric below as illustrated by the corresponding examples, will be used to assess the quality of your initial postings and responses to the postings and comments of colleagues during class discussion.

NOTE: Initial postings are your comments based on the prompt. Responses to others are your replies to THEIR initial postings.

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CRITERIA
Exemplary 
Proficient
Not Yet
Demonstrates an understanding of the prompt

 

Displays an excellent understanding of the materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Uses course materials and other information to support important points.

Displays some understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Limited use of course materials and other information to support points.

Displays little understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Use of course materials and other information to support points is incoherent or missing entirely.
5 points 2.5 points 0 points
Demonstrates an understanding of the comment under discussion Displays an excellent understanding of the comment under discussion by...
...affirming statements and citing relevant research or,
...asking a new related question or,
...making an oppositional statement supported by personal experience or related research.		 Displays some understanding of the comment under discussion by...
..affirming statements and citing some research or,
...asking a new somewhat related question or,
...making an oppositional statement somewhat supported by personal experience or related research.		 Displays little understanding of the  comment under discussion as evidenced by...
...no affirming statements or references to relevant research or,
...asking no related questions or,
...making no oppositional statement supported by any personal experience or related research.
2 points 1 point 0 points
Critical applications to professional practice Evidence of critical analysis of a posted idea with clear connections drawn to professional practice.  Some evidence of critical analysis of a posted idea with some connections drawn to professional practice.  Little evidence of critical analysis of a posted idea with no clear connections drawn to professional practice. 
1 point .5 point 0 points
Quality of Written Comments

Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing facilitates communication.

Written responses are largely free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing generally facilitates communication.

Written responses contain grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing does not facilitate communication.
Participation occurs on more than three separate days of the week.   Participation occurs on three separate days during the week. Participation occurs on fewer than three days per week.
1 point .5 point 0 points

References and Documented Citations to Professional Readings

University Academic Expectations Policy

Postings without appropriate citations will be subject to investigation under the above university academic expectations policy.

Postings include bibliographic information, brief or full annotations in the discussion responses.

or

Includes a wide variety of appropriate, well-researched and informative sources and has well-edited quotes from “expert” sources. Quotes and sources of information are credited appropriately.

Postings include bibliographic information.


or

Includes appropriate and informative quotes from “expert” sources. Source quotes are credited appropriately.

Postings do not include bibliographic information, brief or full annotations.

or

Includes no source quotes or includes source quotes with multiple citation errors.
1 point .5 point 0 points

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2003, Developed by: Lynn E. Nielsen, Professor of Education, 
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls IA.
2006 Adapted by Kay Lehmann, University of Wisconsin-Stout