Assessment Rubric for Online Discussions

At the end of the semester, you will be asked to collect your graded discussion board postings. As with class discussions and other fleeting instructional moments, evaluating online discussions is not easily done. However, one advantage of online discussions is that there is a written record of what has been stated, thought, and changed. This gives me the opportunity to evaluate not only the process of class interaction but the process of growth in student thinking and learning.

The first assessment criterion is participation. Since you cannot physically "attend class" in an online learning environment, your participation in these online discussions counts for your attendance and presence. Participation means contributing several valuable postings per topic and actively discussing and collaborating with others.

Other criteria relate to your demonstration of knowledge and thinking about issues related to class. Since this is a professional environment, there are certain expectations in regards to how you will interact with others online. Your contributions should:

  • reflect knowledge of class readings and lecture -- this is an opportunity to demonstrate that you are reading and learning.

  • reflect an ability to critically analyze relevant issues and summarize key issues at a professional level of quality.

  • interact with and support learning of your fellow classmates by interacting in discussions and providing resources for learning.

The following rubric is an example of how overall quality of student
contributions will be evaluated using the above criteria:

Criteria Exceptional
94% -  100%		 Very Good
87% - 93%		 Average
80% - 86%		 Below Average
79% and below
Demonstration and articulation of subject  knowledge Outstanding in articulation of subject knowledge and evaluation of key issues in the field Good in articulation of subject knowledge and evaluation of key issues in the field Fairly well in articulation of subject knowledge and evaluation of key issues in the field Needs improvement  in articulation of subject knowledge and evaluation of key issues in the field
Critical Analysis of Issues Critically analyzes relevant issues and summarizes key issues with an advanced level of expertise Analyzes relevant issues and summarizes key issues with a good level of expertise
Analyzes relevant issues and summarizes key issues with a fair level of expertise		 Analyzes relevant issues and summarizes key issues with a novice level of expertise
Support of Learning for Others Always interacts with and supports learning of others Frequently interacts with and supports learning of others Sometimes interacts with and supports learning of others Rarely interacts with and supports learning of others