EDUC 477/698O:

Assistive Technology/Universal Design in the General Classroom Setting

Discussion Thread Expectations

Throughout the course weekly activities (mini assignments) and/or discussion threads will be posted in the Discussion area of WebCT. Mini activities are meant to promote insight towards a topic and connect with real life scenarios. They are posted in the discussion area so that other participants may gain valuable information from your thoughts and opinions on a topic (they count as a discussion thread). While multiple posting are not required in these type assignments they are encouraged. Discussion threads are meant to stimulate class discussion and dialogue that would normally take place in a face to face setting. It is expected that students will initiate, participate in and facilitate on-line discussions on course topics, issues and readings. Some basic protocols are listed below to help guide you in your contributions:

All postings to weekly threads and mini assignments should be done prior to the next scheduled session, unless otherwise directed.
For the greatest outcome--postings should be evenly distributed during the weekly period (i.e., do not just post quickly as soon as they appear-- nor wait till the last minute and post the day of or the day prior to the deadline. Additionally, do not post all in one day-unless an active discussion is occurring.)
A discussion thread is created by participants dialoguing with each other. Therefore, you should build on what others have said prior and post multiple times-responding to what others have stated.
While various discussion will occur dependent upon the "personality" of the class members and/or the topic, a "bare bones" minimum requirement will consist of:
- Discussion threads posted each week
  - Requirements:
    - Read all of the topics / post in each
    - Make “original” posts by 5 PM Sunday
    - Read your colleagues' posts
    - Make 2 “response” posts by 7:00 PM Tuesday
Postings and responses to others should be meaningful, insightful, and connect with the readings as appropriate. Postings limited to "I agree" or "how true" or "great idea" are not meaningful or insightful, and therefore, for this course, will not be considered a contribution.
Address the topic presented. Do not stray from the topic. Start a new discussion thread if another topic (formal or informal) arises.
Connect your discussion as much as possible with the related assigned readings, additional readings, and related prior experience or knowledge you feel would be of benefit to share. When appropriate use quotes or reference the page number to the readings that support your findings.

The following Rubric will be used when assessing the effectiveness of student participation in Online activities. For more about the quality of each of these categories read the Category Quality Rubric found at the end.

Activity	Points Possible
Posted Original Response on Time (first response to EACH thread are due by Sunday 5 PM of each week). Follow up replies are due before the next scheduled official class date	20
Posted at Minimum Two Follow Up Replies	20
Follow Ups Were Distributed Throughout The Week	20
Responses Built Upon (argued for or against) What Classmates Have Posted and Responses are Justified (i.e., I agree with XYZ related to CCF because ...)	20
Responses Are Backed Up By Reading from the Course (referencing the work read) i.e., as noted by Carson (2003)	20

The following Rubric will be used when assessing the effectiveness of student participation in Online activities.

Category	Unacceptable	Poor	Average	Good	Excellent
Promptness and contributions	No posts	Limited response to threads/mini assignments; rarely participates freely; rarely responds to others; unequal distribution throughout the week and throughout weekly threads	Responds to most threads but usually only once; limited meaningful response to others; unequal distribution -either posting in beginning and not checking back or posting so late no one can add meaningful response; inconsistent throughout weekly threads	Multiple posting to most threads, but unequal distribution- either posting in beginning and not checking back or posting so late no one can add meaningful response; adds meaningful response to others posts	Post original reply on time and meets all deadlines. Multiple postings to all threads; equal distribution throughout the week and throughout the topics; good self-initiative to start additional discussion threads
Relevance		Responses done are short or irrelevant to the discussion threads	Many posts are short and not meaningful and offers no further insight to topic; occasionally posts off task/topic	Posts frequently and always relevant to topic; prompts further discussion to topic; when able (posts in time) adds to discussion by responding to others	Posts frequently and always relevant to topic; prompts further discussion to topic; adds to discussion by responding to others; cites additional references related to topic
Connection to readings		Few responses that indicate limited initiative, insight and connection to readings;	Limited initiative, insight and connection to readings; not evident that readings were connected to discussion/mini assignment;	Most posts indicate that readings were understood and connects them to the discussion topic/mini assignment	Almost all topic threads indicate that readings were understood; incorporates reading knowledge well into responses
Addition to the Learning Community		Makes little effort to participate actively and meaningfully in the community as it develops; seems indifferent	Marginal effort to become an active member of the group	Interacts but not knowledgeable about online protocol- either often lurks in background (responding only after others start) and does not try to direct discussion or overly dominates the discussions	Interacts freely keeping in mind the needs of the community; attempts often to motivate or redirect the group discussion when it strays