Assignment 1A - Discussion Board Participation

Instructions

Due No due date Points None

Assignment 1: (Discussion Board/On-line Participation) 15%

Due Dates: Weeks 3, 6 and 9

Discussions are the way we “participate” in the online component of the class. The discussion board provides time for you as learners to reflect, share your ideas, learn through observing and interacting with your class mates and most importantly create your own view of the topic (see Smith, 2008).

Students are required to participate in fortnightly class discussions online using Canvas (Discussion Board) after reading all required materials. It is expected that you examine yourself if you understand the key concepts, theories and models within the subject material. In addition, any questions you may

have that could arise for the discussion board could be posted for further discussion. Discussion board posts will be assessed on a 0-5 point scale. There will be three such discussion posts to respond to.

Therefore, it is important that you post relevant messages that have practical utility and move the conversation forward in some way. “Yes, I agree.” is not an acceptable posting and will not earn any points. Your participation in discussions can earn you up to 5 points for each thread (See marking rubric below). After the due date for the discussion, you will be graded on your overall participation in that discussion thread.

Starting in Week 3 through to Week 9, I will post a question that will be released on Thursdays by 10.00 AM. You are required to respond to the question(s) by Sunday 8.00 PM of the same week.

The word limit for each post ( including the follow-up posts) is 150-200 maximum. References are not included in your word count.

If there is no post from you, you will receive a zero.

Also note that the to earn maximum points you must complete the initial posting early once the question has been posted and then the 2 follow up posts (not more than 2 per discussion).

Once the discussion board is closed, you may not be able to see the earlier responses and this may hinder your contribution to the follow-up posts.

Participation/Discussion Grading Rubric - Marks will be awarded as follows:

• points: No posts or the post adds no academic value to the discussion; no new information is
• point: The post contains at least one usable fact or piece of information, however, the fact or information is just basic.
• points: The post contains at least one usable fact or piece of information not available from the textbook with a valid reference.
• points: The post makes academic contribution; the material included is not just by reading the textbook and at least some issue or concept is clarified with valid sources of reference.
• points: The post contains documented information that contributes greatly to the understanding of some issue under discussion; the new information with sources is explained and applied such that the reader gains insight into the material being studied with a workplace example.
• points: In addition to the above, the posts should demonstrate thoughtful reflection and response to two classmates inviting further dialogue, consistently grasp differing views and add a critical argument to evaluate the merits of each post and to draw conclusions.