Online Discussion Rubric
I will grade your discussion based on the quality and quantity of your postings and replies. For
the online discussion, you are required to:
· Post one initial response to answer the discussion question(s).
· Read most of your classmates’ posts and reply at least two of them.
· Avoid postings that are limited to “I agree” or “good idea”, etc. If you agree or disagree with a
posting, support your opinion with appropriate resources, class readings, examples, or related
experience.
· Be friendly and respect your classmates’ privacy. We should argue the point rather than
attacking the person who made the point.
Levels of
Performance
Exemplary
Satisfactory
It is insightful and
reflects deep
understanding of
the knowledge. *
It is thoughtful and
perceptive, but
reflects only a basic
understanding of
the knowledge.
It reflects a
misunderstanding of
the knowledge or is
simply a reiteration of
material expressed in
the textbook or by
others.
Initial posting
responses to all
discussion board
questions.
Frequently post
comments to
other’s postings.
Initial posting
responses to all
discussion board
questions.
Occasionally posts
comments to
other’s postings.
Initial posting does not
respond to discussion
board questions.
Rarely posts
comments to other’s
postings.
Criteria
Quality of the
initial posting
Frequency of
participation
Quality of
comments to others
Timelines
Grammar
Comments are
constructive,
specific, and
supportive. **
Comments are
general.
Comments are not
given to class
members or just
simply agree or
disagree.
All required
postings are posted
early and
throughout the
discussion.
All required
postings are posted,
but some are not in
time for others to
read and respond.
Most postings are at
the last minute without
allowing for response
time.
Postings are well
written and
grammatically
correct.
Postings are
generally well
written, but contain
a few grammatical
errors.
Postings are written
below undergraduate
level standard.
*When judging whether an initial post is exemplary, asking yourself the following questions: Did it help solve a problem? Did it
challenge an idea? Did it offer some alternatives? Did it ask good questions? Did it give examples from personal experience? Did it
contribute evidence to support the opinion? If you get at least one Yes to these questions, it is exemplary.
**When judging whether a comment is exemplary, ask yourself the following questions: Did it contribute to support or disapprove the
opinion? Did it assist someone in clarifying his or her ideas? Did it bring a derailing dialogue back on track?