Graduate Discussion Forum Rubric

Discussion Forum Guidelines and Grading Rubric

For 500-600 Level Courses – Grantham University

Participation Guidelines (These guidelines pertain to your initial and reply posts to the discussion forum prompt. Note the due dates for each.)

INITIAL POST	REPLY POSTS
· Create a thread (initial post) by 11:59 pm EST on Sunday (Day 5) · Meet word count requirement (See discussion instructions) · The majority of your post must be original words, thoughts, and ideas · Identify the source of all information that you use · Post must be typed in the discussion message box, not attached as a document	· Post at least two replies to either peers or the instructor by 11:59 pm EST Tuesday (Day 7) · At least one reply post must be made on a *different* day than your initial post · If specified, meet word count requirement (See discussion instructions) · The majority of your posts must be original words, thoughts, experiences, and/or ideas · Identify the source of all information that you use · Post must be typed in the discussion message box, not attached as a document

INITIAL POST

REPLY POSTS

· Create a thread (initial post) by 11:59 pm EST on Sunday (Day 5)

· Meet word count requirement
(See discussion instructions)

· The majority of your post must be original words, thoughts, and ideas

· Identify the source of all information that you use

· Post must be typed in the discussion message box, not attached as a document

· Post at least two replies to either peers or the instructor by 11:59 pm EST Tuesday (Day 7)

· At least one reply post must be made on a different day than your initial post

· If specified, meet word count requirement
(See discussion instructions)

· The majority of your posts must be original words, thoughts, experiences, and/or ideas

· Identify the source of all information that you use

· Post must be typed in the discussion message box, not attached as a document

Grading Rubric (The discussion grading rubric explains expectations and will be used to evaluate your contribution based on the quality of work in your initial posts and replies. A total of 50 points are possible, distributed among the three criteria listed below.)

Criteria	Far Exceeds Expecations	Exceeds Expectations	Meets Expectations	Partially Meets Expectations	Does Not Meet Expectations
Application and Content. (Apply critical thinking and analysis to demonstrate an understanding of lesson topics.)	18 – 20 points - Thoroughly answered the discussion question(s) and replied with clear, well-developed, and meaningful thoughts. - All critical points were addressed individually and supported by evidence of having read the assigned course readings and applying the majority of the basic concepts in the initial post. - Relevant ideas or practical experiences are used to emphasize the understanding of the discussion topic(s).	16 – 17 points - Answered the discussion question(s) and replied with clear, well-developed, and meaningful thoughts. - Most critical points were addressed individually and supported by evidence of having read the assigned course reading sand applying some of the basic concepts in the initial post. - Relevant ideas or practical experiences are used to emphasize understanding of the discussion topic(s).	14 – 15 points - Answered most of the discussion question(s), but not fully developed to demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills. - Some critical points were addressed individually, but not supported by evidence of having read the assigned course readings and applying basic concepts in the initial post. - Relevant ideas or practical experiences were absent or limited.	12 – 13 points - Partially answered the discussion question(s) by identifying the main topic(s), but lacked elements of critical thinking and analysis. - The points addressed were not clear or well-developed. - Relevant ideas or practical experience(s) were not provided. - Evidence of having read the assigned course readings was not clearly demonstrated.	0 – 11 points - Insufficiently answered the discussion question(s). - The points addressed inadequately addressed the topic. - Relevant ideas and practical experience(s) were not provided. - The points discussed lacked evidence of having read the assigned course readings.
Engagement and Participation. (Encourage further discussion from peers and provide meaningful contribution on the topic. Participate in a respectful manner, with appropriate length and punctuality.)	18 – 20 points - Engaged in the discussion forum by offering extended or in-depth posts and generating relevant conversations and questions among peers. - Participated multiple days throughout the week. Met deadlines, and exceeded the participation guidelines.	16 – 17 points - Engaged in the discussion forum by offering substantive posts and generating relevant conversations or questions among peers. - Participated multiple days throughout the week. Met deadlines and exceeded the participation guidelines.	14 – 15 points - Engaged in the discussion forum by offering satisfactory posts, but did not promote further conversations or questions among peers. - Participated multiple days throughout the week. Met deadlines and the participation guidelines.	12 – 13 points - Engagement was lacking in the discussion forum. The posts did not generate relevant conversations or questions among the peers. - Participated multiple times during the week, but did not meet the deadlines or participation guidelines.	0 – 11 points - The posts were not engaging, and prevented others from participating in a discussion that added value to the forum. - Participated at least once during the week, but did not meet the deadlines and participation guidelines.
Clarity and Organization. (Present well-reasoned, organized, and structured ideas, with an appropriate use of writing style.)	9 – 10 points - Paragraphs and sentences are well-developed, properly formatted, and contain a strong topic sentence. - All arguments and point(s) presented are consistent, clear, and concise. - Exceptional use of grammar, and free of spelling, punctuation, or other mechanical errors. - All references used are identified by proper in-text citations and are listed at the bottom of the post(s).	8 points - Paragraphs are well-developed, properly formatted, and include a topic sentence. - Most arguments and point(s) presented are consistent, clear, and concise. - Outstanding use of grammar, and free of spelling, punctuation, or other mechanical errors. - Most references used are identified by proper in-text citations and are listed at the bottom of the post(s).	7 points - Paragraphs are adequately developed, but lack a topic sentence. - Insufficient clarity and inconsistencies are present in argument(s) and post(s). - Adequate use of grammar with minimal spelling, punctuation, or other mechanical errors. - References used are identified and are listed at the bottom of the post(s).	6 points - Paragraphs and sentences are underdeveloped and disorganized. - It is difficult to determine the argument(s) and point(s) being presented. - Inadequate use of grammar, and frequent spelling, punctuation and other mechanical errors. - References used are not identified or listed at the bottom of the post(s).	0 – 5 points - Paragraphs and sentences are incomplete. - The argument(s) and point(s) being presented are not relevant to the discussion topic. - Unacceptable use of grammar, and frequent spelling, punctuation and other mechanical errors. - References are not identified or listed at the bottom of the post(s).

Criteria

Far Exceeds Expecations

Exceeds Expectations

Meets Expectations

Partially Meets Expectations

Does Not Meet Expectations

Application and Content. (Apply critical thinking and analysis to demonstrate an understanding of lesson topics.)

18 – 20 points

- Thoroughly answered the discussion question(s) and replied with clear, well-developed, and meaningful thoughts.

- All critical points were addressed individually and supported by evidence of having read the assigned course readings and applying the majority of the basic concepts in the initial post.

- Relevant ideas or practical experiences are used to emphasize the understanding of the discussion topic(s).

16 – 17 points

- Answered the discussion question(s) and replied with clear, well-developed, and meaningful thoughts.

- Most critical points were addressed individually and supported by evidence of having read the assigned course reading sand applying some of the basic concepts in the initial post.

- Relevant ideas or practical experiences are used to emphasize understanding of the discussion topic(s).

14 – 15 points

- Answered most of the discussion question(s), but not fully developed to demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

- Some critical points were addressed individually, but not supported by evidence of having read the assigned course readings and applying basic concepts in the initial post.

- Relevant ideas or practical experiences were absent or limited.

12 – 13 points

- Partially answered the discussion question(s) by identifying the main topic(s), but lacked elements of critical thinking and analysis.

- The points addressed were not clear or well-developed.

- Relevant ideas or practical experience(s) were not provided.

- Evidence of having read the assigned course readings was not clearly demonstrated.

0 – 11 points

- Insufficiently answered the discussion question(s).

- The points addressed inadequately addressed the topic.

- Relevant ideas and practical experience(s) were not provided.

- The points discussed lacked evidence of having read the assigned course readings.

Engagement and Participation. (Encourage further discussion from peers and provide meaningful contribution on the topic. Participate in a respectful manner, with appropriate length and punctuality.)

18 – 20 points

- Engaged in the discussion forum by offering extended or in-depth posts and generating relevant conversations and questions among peers.

- Participated multiple days throughout the week. Met deadlines, and exceeded the participation guidelines.

16 – 17 points

- Engaged in the discussion forum by offering substantive posts and generating relevant conversations or questions among peers.

- Participated multiple days throughout the week. Met deadlines and exceeded the participation guidelines.

14 – 15 points

- Engaged in the discussion forum by offering satisfactory posts, but did not promote further conversations or questions among peers.

- Participated multiple days throughout the week. Met deadlines and the participation guidelines.

12 – 13 points

- Engagement was lacking in the discussion forum. The posts did not generate relevant conversations or questions among the peers.

- Participated multiple times during the week, but did not meet the deadlines or participation guidelines.

0 – 11 points

- The posts were not engaging, and prevented others from participating in a discussion that added value to the forum.

- Participated at least once during the week, but did not meet the deadlines and participation guidelines.

Clarity and Organization. (Present well-reasoned, organized, and structured ideas, with an appropriate use of writing style.)

9 – 10 points

- Paragraphs and sentences are well-developed, properly formatted, and contain a strong topic sentence.

- All arguments and point(s) presented are consistent, clear, and concise.

- Exceptional use of grammar, and free of spelling, punctuation, or other mechanical errors.

- All references used are identified by proper in-text citations and are listed at the bottom of the post(s).

8 points

- Paragraphs are well-developed, properly formatted, and include a topic sentence.

- Most arguments and point(s) presented are consistent, clear, and concise.

- Outstanding use of grammar, and free of spelling, punctuation, or other mechanical errors.

- Most references used are identified by proper in-text citations and are listed at the bottom of the post(s).

7 points

- Paragraphs are adequately developed, but lack a topic sentence.

- Insufficient clarity and inconsistencies are present in argument(s) and post(s).

- Adequate use of grammar with minimal spelling, punctuation, or other mechanical errors.

- References used are identified and are listed at the bottom of the post(s).

6 points

- Paragraphs and sentences are underdeveloped and disorganized.

- It is difficult to determine the argument(s) and point(s) being presented.

- Inadequate use of grammar, and frequent spelling, punctuation and other mechanical errors.

- References used are not identified or listed at the bottom of the post(s).

0 – 5 points

- Paragraphs and sentences are incomplete.

- The argument(s) and point(s) being presented are not relevant to the discussion topic.

- Unacceptable use of grammar, and frequent spelling, punctuation and other mechanical errors.

- References are not identified or listed at the bottom of the post(s).