Participation

Communication 399

Participation in the Discussion Forum

Rationale and Objectives

We also will use the class Blackboard discussion forum for exchange of ideas and discussion of course concepts, as well as for the course Online Conferences, which are the primary way in which you are evaluated in Com. 491.

Naturally, I hope you'll find the discussion forum fun and an interesting and that you'll contribute often. Your participation grade is based on your contributions to the online discussion You should post to the discussion forum at least three times for each Online Conference which is completed in the course.

lease feel free to enter the discussion often and in any way that you think is appropriate, including (but certainly not limited to: asking questions about course concepts; analyzing the concept under discussion; sharing a personal opinion of how you think an approach works (or doesn't): sharing tips about hardware, software, or helpful on-line resources; describing your experience of how course concepts are applied (or misapplied) in practice; considering ways in which a theory might be extended in practice; introducing a topic of your own that you think is pertinent to computer-mediated communication.

1) Each student is expected to participate in the on-line discussions for each topic. Participation will
      be through three response to each Online Conference The comment should apply
      the principles we discuss and contribute a perspective or related information which can stimulate
      discussion of the topic. When relevant make explicit reference to the reading material.

2) If the instructors responds to you post you are required to respond to his response.

3) You must response to at least three of your coursemates responses to you posts.

4). Participation will be judged on the quality of the contributions. Some criteria include:

Does the contribution advance the current topic?
Is it concise (usually less than 20 lines; hyperlinks to supporting documents are useful)?
Informative Subject line? Does it set the context; show what it responds to?
Does it do one or more of the following: share knowledge, pose well formulated questions, constructively criticize, build on what others have contributed?
Is it directed to the whole class and does it provide substance?
Messages of general agreement without adding to the discussion should be avoided
Messages of appreciation or cheerleading are fine, but you need to do more.
      I liked your quote about the disadvantages of virtual teams
      I found it interesting that you put a personal story of how your mother works in a virtual team.
      Vivid language describing how necessary virtual teams are. Good use of graphics.
Does it relate to the course references or offer new related resources?
Are the contributions spread throughout the applicable topic time period, rather than last-minute?

Do not limit yourself to trite replies to other posts in the discussion forum. Here is rubric which is used to enhance the quality of discussion posts. Pay attention to these times of criteria when reflecting and posting responses to your "coursemates" posts.

	Discussion Board Rubric
	10-8Points	5-7 Points	0-5Points	Points
Engagement 10 Points Possible	Proactively contributes to the discussion forums by offering ideas, engaging & amplifying the subject matters of the course	Frequently contributes to the discussion forums by offering ideas and asking appropriate questions	Rarely contributes to the discussion forums
Replies 10 Points Possible	Consistently demonstrates interest; incorporates or builds off of the ideas of others.	Frequently demonstrates interest; incorporates or builds off of the ideas of others	Shows little interest; replies to classmates' ideas with minimal response
Expression 10 Points Possible	Expresses opinions and ideas in a clear and concise manner with obvious connection to topic	Opinions and ideas are stately clearly with occasional lack of connection to topic	Does not express opinions or ideas clearly; no connection to topic
Conduct 10Points Possible	Consistently contributes to the positive atmosphere in the discussion forum by demonstrating tolerance, respect and patience for differing points of view.	Usually contributes to the positive atmosphere in the discussion forums by demonstrating tolerance, respect and patience for differing points of view.	Does not demonstrate tolerance, respect and patience for differing points of view.
Total (50 possible)

5). Contributions to the Watercooler and other views not directed to the substantive course material
are not assessed toward participation.

6). Since electronic messages are automatically date/time stamped, you can send your contribution to
      the class discussion any time of the day or night. Bear in mind that your participation grade
      depends on your posting to the discussion forum regularly, every week. Multiple messages in a
      single week will not make up for weeks during which you did not post to the bulletin board, nor
     do they make up for skipping any following weeks. Extra messages will not earn extra credit,
     although you certainly are welcome to post as often as you wish.!