Weekly Discussion Board Posts: Listed under “assignments” in each module, students are required to make one thoughtful “original post” on the module’s discussion board and make two thoughtful “response posts” to other students’ posts. The original posts will be worth up to 10 points and each response post is worth up to 5 points for a total of 20 points per module (and 300 points for the semester). You will not be able to access other students’ posts to make the response posts until you complete your original post.
Unlike the quizzes and reflection papers, students will not have the opportunity to “make up” missed discussion board posts during the final week of class. Thus, if you do not submit your posts by the time the grace period for the module expires, you will receive a grade of zero (0).
Original Posts will consist of thoughtful and insightful comments, observations, applications of theories or ideas, or questions that directly connect to any of the materials in the module (i.e., assigned readings, mini-lectures, videos, or songs). When thinking about topics for your original post, let your inspiration be your guide. What issues, ideas, or facts presented in the materials grabbed your attention or got you thinking, or raised questions or concerns? Feel free to question, critique, or criticize these materials as well in your Original Posts.
Original Posts are worth up to 10 points, must be 100-150 words in length and must be completed by midnight on Thursday.
Do not summarize material from the readings, etc. Assume we all have done the readings. I want you to take the material to the next level.
Focus on a single issue and explore it in depth.
Do not write a “word salad” where you touch on multiple issues.
Keep your writing tight and focused, rather than loose and wordy.
Do not post about issues that have no relation to the module’s materials.
Original Posts are due by Thursday at midnight. Late Original Posts will lose 2 points.
Make sure to create a new “thread” when making your original post.
Do not use quotations or citations or outside sources.
Make only one original post for each module.
Each error in spelling, grammar, or punctuation will subtract 2 points from your score. Given that 10 points are possible, five errors will give you a score of 0.
For more guidance, see “Guide to Writing Discussion Posts