Rubric Name: Participation Rubric (20%)
Criteria Outstanding Superior Good Substandard
Evidence of critical
thinking (analysis,
synthesis, evaluation
and reflection) of class
reading material and
discussion
1.25 points
analysis, synthesis,
evaluation and
reflection is strongly
present across all
posts; rich in content
full of thought, insight,
and analysis
(1.05 – 1.25)
0.96 points
analysis, synthesis,
evaluation and
reflection is present in
most posts – substantial
information thought,
insight, and analysis
has taken place
(0.88 – 1.04)
0.81 points
attempts analysis,
synthesis, evaluation,
and reflection but not
strongly evident or only
partially evident –
generally competent
information is thin and
commonplace
(0.75 – 0.87)
0.37 points
analysis, synthesis,
evaluation, and
reflection is poorly
demonstrated or does
not exist; rudimentary
and superficial; no
analysis or insight is
displayed
(0 – 0.74)
Responses to
classmates and
instructor reflect a
substantive
understanding of
course material
1.25 points
responses to
instructor/classmates
are complete and
meaningful as required;
responses are relevant
and advance the level
and depth of the
discussion consistently
using course material
in the responses
(1.05 – 1.25)
0.96 points
responses to
instructor/classmates
are complete and
meaningful as required;
responses are relevant
and advance the level
and depth of the
discussion occasionally
using the course
material in the
responses
(0.88 – 1.04)
0.81 points
responds to
instructor/classmates
meet requirements but
either a) responses lack
some detail to explain
answer; b) responses
do not add to the
conversation; c)
student does not use
course material; d)
student does not
respond to as many
peers as required or e)
lacks consistency in
responding to others
(0.75 – 0.87)
0.37 points
fails to respond to
classmate and/or
instructor as required;
responses are
superficial (I agree
statements, restating
what other student
stated; response that
evaluates the quality of
a student’s post adding
no substantial
comment)
(0 – 0.74)
Relevance of
participation to topic
under discussion
1.25 points
contributions are
relevant and
demonstrates
outstanding
understanding of
material; uses various
course
material/resources in
responding, and
consistently and
accurately ties to
activity
(1.05 – 1.25)
0.96 points
contributions are
relevant and mostly
demonstrates a good
understanding of
material; uses some
course
material/resources in
responding and
attempts to ties to
activity
(0.88 – 1.04)
0.81 points
contributions are
somewhat relevant and
demonstrates some
understanding of the
material; rarely uses
course
material/resources in
responses and
occasionally ties to
activity
(0.75 – 0.87)
0.37 points
contributions are off
topic, distracting; does
not use relevant course
material/resources in
responses
(0 – 0.74)
Writing mechanics and
APA usage
1.25 points
consistently uses
grammatically correct
0.96 points
few grammatical or
spelling errors are
0.81 points
errors in spelling and
grammar evident;
0.37 points
poor spelling and
grammar in most posts;
posts with no
misspellings and no
APA style errors
(1.05 – 1.25)
noted in posts/
attempts in-text
citations and reference
list but errors are
present
(0.88 – 1.04)
attempts in-text
citations or reference
list but omits the other;
paraphrases or uses
source material without
consistently
citing/referencing
(0.75 – 0.87)
no evidence of
proofreading; no
attempt at APA
(0 – 0.74)
Overall Score
Outstanding
4.2 or more
Superior
3.84 or more
Good
2.1 or more
Substandard
0 or mo
