Graduate 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 Ten, 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 Ten, 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 appropriate detail (90%)

Develops an initial post with a point of view or idea but with some gaps in organization and detail (70%)

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

20

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

Submits initial post one day late (70%)

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 (90%)

Provides somewhat relevant response posts with some explanation and detail (70%)

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

20

Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Value

Critical Thinking Draws insightful conclusions that are thoroughly defended with evidence and examples (100%)

Draws informed conclusions that are justified with evidence (90%)

Draws logical conclusions (70%) Does not draw logical conclusions (0%)

30

Writing (Mechanics) Initial post and responses are easily understood, clear, and concise using proper citation methods where applicable with no errors in citations (100%)

Initial post and responses are easily understood using proper citation methods where applicable with few errors in citations (90%)

Initial post and responses are understandable using proper citation methods where applicable with a number of errors in citations (70%)

Initial post and responses are not understandable and do not use proper citation methods where applicable (0%)

20

Total 100%