I adapted the rubric below from a fellow instructor when I worked at Northern Arizona University. I've since modified it to fit my EN2150 classes. I hope you find it helpful!
Virginia Russell’s Discussion/Participation Grading Rubric
When I facilitate my discussion forums for EN2150, I monitor student discussions but don’t address every single post. Sometimes I will insert a comment or share an idea or concept. If the discussion is between two or more students and seems to be getting away from the main points of the discussion, I will intervene, or steer the comments in a direction that leads to a deeper student learning. Although I don’t usually answer questions unless directly addressed to me, I will play “Devil’s advocate” on occasion just to keep things interesting. I check the discussion forum daily each week and at least once during the weekend. In addition, to the initial discussion question I post a daily “Optional Discussion Starter.” These are questions that relate to something in the weekly reading and can earn the student participation points when answered substantively. I also post weekly “mini-lessons” where students can participate and earn participation points.
- I also post a message weekly (on Monday) in the discussion forum. (See below for an example)
Hello Class! Welcome to Week One Discussion Forum
Each discussion week I will respond to your Discussion Questions as well as post some additional Discussion Starters to encourage discussion and help you get your participation credit. Please submit your 75-150 word responses by clicking "reply" to the specific DQ or DS you are responding to. Also, remember that BOTH DQs and participation posts must be at least 75 words!
In order to get your full participation points, you must respond (substantively) two times and your DQ responses count toward this total. Please remember that you must respond to at least two DQs!
Thank you!
Discussion Participation Rubric
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Criteria
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Unsatisfactory
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Satisfactory
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Exemplary
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Quantity and Timeliness
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Does not submit at least one initial response by Wednesday’s session and/or does not submit at least two peer responses closer to the end of the session.
1.5 point
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Submits at least one initial response by Wednesday’s session, and at least two peer responses closer to the end of the session.
5 points
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Submits one initial response by Wednesday’s session, and two or more thoughtful peer responses early in the session, and more than two peer responses closer to the end of the session.
6 points
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Spelling and mechanics
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Does not submit posts in complete sentences. Or two or more of the complete sentences are grammatically incorrect and have greater than 5 spelling errors.
1.5 point
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Submits posts that have one or more grammatically incorrect sentences and two spelling errors.
5 points
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Submits posts that contain grammatically correct sentences without any spelling errors.
6 points
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Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of content
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Post(s) and responses show little evidence of knowledge and understanding of course content and applicability to professional practice.
1.5 point
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Post(s) and responses show evidence of knowledge and understanding of course content and applicability to professional practice.
5 points
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Post(s) and responses show evidence of knowledge and understanding of course content and applicability to professional practice, and include other resources that extend the learning of the community.
6 points
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Generates interaction within the community
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Posts make no attempt to elicit responses and reflections from other learners and/or responses do not build upon the ideas of other learners to take the discussion deeper.
1.5 point
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Posts attempt to elicit responses and reflections from other learners and responses build upon the ideas of other learners to take the discussion deeper.
5 points
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Posts elicit responses and reflections from other learners and responses build upon and integrate multiple views from other learners to take the discussion deeper.
6 points
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Total Possible Points: 50 points
