Criteria | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
Content of Postings | 30 points Excellent: Reveals an exceptional understanding of the topics as evidenced by thoughtful original posts, responses, and questions. Provides new information on a regular basis. The posts show exploration beyond assigned reading, particularly the use of current newsworthy information relevant to the topic. |
25 points Good: Reveals a satisfactory understanding of the topics. Provides new information from time to time. The posts indicate that the student has completed the assigned readings. |
22 points FAIR: Reveals a restricted understanding of the topics limited to information that could be derived from only online material and prior posts. |
20 points POOR: Reveals that the student read only the posts of other students prior to contributing. |
Quality of Participation | 30 points Excellent: Provides original comments and responses to others in a timely, regular, and equitable manner. Interacts with a variety of other students. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student completed the assignment fully and showed a mastery of the exercise. |
25 points Good: Provides comments in a timely, regular manner. Interacts with at least two other students. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student completed assignment and showed an understanding of the exercise and missed no more than 3 elements of the exercise. |
22 points FAIR: Sporadically provides comments, usually toward the end of the discussion period. Interacts with only one other student. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student partially completed assignment. The student missed more than 3 elements of the exercise but showed that they attempted the exercise. |
20 points POOR: Provides few original comments and few responses to other students. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student did not complete the assignment. |
Evidence of Critical Thinking | 30 points Excellent: Introduces different interpretations of ideas that wake up the class; provides references to outside readings and current news. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student could apply the mastery of the exercise to the discussion points by analyzing the exercise in relation to the discussion. |
25 points Good: Offers good critical analyses of existing posted ideas.If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student could apply their understanding of the exercise to the discussion points. |
22 points FAIR: Repeats the information provided in the assigned reading. Agrees or disagrees with the existing discussion. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student showed a limited understanding of the exercise to the discussion points. |
20 points POOR: Provides no evidence of original thought. Agrees or disagrees with existing discussion. If a written exercise was included with the discussion content, the student was unable to show their understanding of the exercise to the discussion points. |
Mechanics of Postings | 10 points EXCELLENT: Expresses thoughts with complete sentences, clear organization, and correct grammar and spelling. Always cites sources using proper APA format. |
8 points Good: Expresses thoughts with complete sentences, clear organization, but with a few grammar and/or spelling errors. Cites sources most of the time with few APA format errors. |
7 points FAIR: Expresses thoughts with complete sentences, but the argument is not coherent or the organization of ideas needs improvement. Makes several grammar and/or spelling errors. Cites sources occasionally; may not use proper APA format or has a number of APA format errors. |
6 points POOR: Expresses thoughts with poor sentence structure, inadequate organization, many grammar and/or spelling errors. Does not cite sources. |
Overall Score | Level 4 26 or more |
Level 3 23 or more |
Level 2 21 or more |
Level 1 0 or more |