Teaching Online
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Discussion Board Rubrics
Discussion Board Rubrics
Colleagues,
I have a question for everyone. All the courses in the Science department that I teach are online courses. As a Science department, we encompass a variety of science disciplines and teach primarily undergraduate students at all levels from freshmen to seniors. A couple of our colleagues have pitched the idea to use a single standard grading rubric for Discussion Boards across all the Science courses to include all disciplines and all grade levels. I am opposed to this for a multitude of reasons. I was curious what insight any of you might have about this idea.
- 6 Replies
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Points I am interested to know the reasons you may have considered for keeping it consistent or different for each course. If possible, can you please share the rubric we are considering for this discussion? That may help to see what may or may not be course specific, if any.
Sincerely,
Shalini
@wendi.wolfram thanks for bringing the question to the group. Like @Shalini_Saini I have a follow up question(s) as well, but I think the questions are more for the colleagues who have pitched the idea. I acknowledge I am an advocate for rubrics because I think when used effectively they benefit students and the instructor. So I don’t assume, can you share with us a few or all the reasons you oppose the idea? Maybe this is more about a conversation with the colleagues about why they believe this would be beneficial and how this would work and still align with all discipline/course objectives, etc. I wonder if they have really thought this through prior to “pitching it”?
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Coins HI
I teach psychology/human services online. I use rubrics for the discussion board, which is based on understanding of content, application, and, of course, spelling, grammar, and, for ours, we require APA style. In each section, understanding of content, for example, It would specify basics that would align with your discussion question. It could include an understanding of reading, etc. So, although it is basic, it provides the students with some direction and allows the instructor to inform the students how they received their grade. This way, it can be utilized for any discussion question. I hope this helps clarify and moves you toward a decision:)
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