Clinical Forensic Department
Discussion Posting Grading Rubric (20)
The purpose of the rubric is to provide guidance on writing and scoring initial postings and responses for discussions. There are two traits on which your initial post is evaluated: Responsiveness/Content Knowledge, and Quality of Writing. The specific desired qualities for each trait are delineated in the rubric based on letter grade criteria. For example, each trait provides the criteria that will result in an “A” response, a “B” response, a “C” response, a “D” response, and an “F” response.
There is one trait on which your response to a colleague’s posting will be evaluated: Contribution to the Discussion. As in the grading for your initial response to the discussion question, criteria are provide that will result in an “A” response, a “B” response, a “C” response, a “D” response, and an “F” response to this portion of the assignment.
There are 20 Possible Points Earned on this assignmentand they are distributed as noted below:
Initial Response to Discussion Post (Minimum 250 Words):
- Responsiveness to Discussion Question /Content Knowledge (5 points)
- Quality of Writing (5 points)
Response to Colleagues’ Post (Minimum 150 Words):
- Contribution to the Discussion - Student Response to Colleagues (5 points per response not to exceed 10 points)
You will receive a grade on each portion of the rubric. The grade will reflect the grading scale in effect for your overall course grade. That is, an “A” response will be awarded between 90% - 100% of the specified points (see Rubric for specific points for each section), a “B” response will be awarded between 80% - 89% of the specified points, etc. The final number of points earned will be computed by adding the points awarded in each section. The table on the last page of this rubric shows how total points will be calculated.
At a minimum, the instructor will provide feedback on traits receiving lower than the maximum score. Students will want to consult the rubric before submitting a post or response to assure meeting the post/response criteria.
RESPONSIVENESS TO DISCUSSION QUESTION/CONTENT KNOWLEDGE – 5 points
(Did the student answer/respond to the discussion or prompt—to what is being asked for?)
A: ExemplaryA: 5 points / B: Proficient
B: 4 points / C: Does Not Meet Standard
C: 3 points / D: Does Not Meet Standard
D: 2 points / F: Does Not Meet Standard
< 2 points
Discussion postings and responses are responsive to and exceed the requirements of the Discussion instructions. They:
- Respond to the question being asked or the prompt provided;
- Go beyond what is required in some meaningful way (e.g., the post contributes a new dimension, unearths something unanticipated);
- Are substantive, reflective, evidence-based;
- Demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the learning resources and a sampling of colleagues' postings; and
- In-depth understandingand application of concepts and issues presented in the course (e.g., insightful interpretations or analyses; accurate and perceptive parallels, ideas, opinions, and conclusions), showing that the student has absorbed the general principles and ideas presented; and postings/responses that are well-supported by pertinent research/evidence from a variety of and multiple peer-reviewed books and journals, where appropriate and
- Are posted by the due date.
- Respond to the question being asked or the prompt provided;
- Are substantive, reflective, evidence-based;
- Demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the learning resources and a sampling of colleagues' postings; and
- Understanding and application of the concepts and issues presented in the course demonstrating that the student has absorbed the general principles and ideas presented; and postings / responses that are supported by research/evidence from peer-reviewed books and journals, where appropriate and
- Are posted by the due date.
- Somewhat miss the point of the question or prompt; and/or
- May lack in substance, rely more on anecdotal than scholarly evidence; and/or
- Do not adequately demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the learning resources and/or a sampling of colleagues' postings; and
- Minimal understanding of concepts and issues presented in the course, and, while generally accurate, display some omissions and/or errors; and postings/responses are not supported by research/evidence and/or the research/evidence is inappropriate or marginal in quality and
- Are posted by the due date.
- Miss the point of the question or prompt; and/or
- Provide responses that are insubstantial and anecdotal; and/or
- Do not demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the learning resources and/or a sampling of colleagues’ postings.
- A lack of understanding of the concepts and issues presented in the course; and/or are inaccurate, contain many omissions and/or errors; and/or are not supported by research/evidence
- Fail to meet even the most basic requirements of the assignment and/or
- Are posted past the late deadline defined as 11:59 p.m. on the due date without prior contact with the instructor seeking AND receiving permission for a delay due to extraordinary circumstances (to be evaluated by instructor.)
Grade: / ______Points
QUALITY OF WRITING – 5 Points
A: ExemplaryA: 5 points / B: Proficient
B: 4 points / C: Does Not Meet Standard
C: 3 points / D: Does Not Meet Standard
D: 2 points / F: Does Not Meet Standard
2 points
Writing is scholarly and exceeds graduate-level writing expectations. The paper:
- Uses language that is clear, concise, and appropriate;
- Has few if any errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax;
- Is extremely well organized, logical, clear, and never confuses the reader;
- Uses a preponderance of original language and uses direct quotes only when necessary and/or appropriate;
- Provides information about a source when citing or paraphrasing it.
- Strict adherence to APA format.
- Uses language that is clear;
- Has a few errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax;
- Is well organized, logical, and clear;
- Uses original language and uses direct quotes when necessary and/or appropriate;
- Provides information about a source when citing or paraphrasing it.
- Minor mistakes in APA format.
- Uses language that is unclear and/or inappropriate; and/or
- Has more than occasional errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; and/or
- Is poorly organized, is at times unclear and confusing, and has some problems with logical flow; and/or
- Reflects an under-use of original language and an overuse of direct quotes and paraphrases; and/or
- Sometimes lacks information about a source when citing or paraphrasing it
- Moderate mistakes in APA format.
- Uses unclear and inappropriate language; and/or
- Has many errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; and/or
- Lacks organization in a way that creates confusion for the reader; and/or
- Contains many direct quotes from original source materials and/or consistently and poorly paraphrases rather than using original language; and/or
- Lacks information about a source when citing or paraphrasing it.
- Significant mistakes in APA format.
- Fail to meet even the most basic requirements of the assignment and/or
- Are posted past the late deadline defined as 11:59 p.m. on the due date without prior contact with the instructor seeking AND receiving permission for a delay due to extraordinary circumstances (to be evaluated by instructor.)
- No adherence to APA format.
Grade: / ______Points
CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION – Response Post: 5 points per response not to exceed 10 points
(The student’s participation in the Discussion forwards it; the student’s participation makes a difference to the Discussion.)
A: ExemplaryA: 5 points / B: Proficient
B: 4 points / C: Average
C: 3 points / D: Below Average
D: 2 points / F: Unacceptable
2 points
Discussion postings and responses significantly contribute to the quality of the discussion / interaction and thinking and learning by:
• Asking a probing question that is supported with references to the learning resources; and/or
• Sharing an original insight from having read your colleague's posting; and/or
• Offering and supporting an opinion; and/or
• Supporting and validating an idea with your own experience; and/or
• Expanding on the original post by making a suggestion; and
• All responses include original and critical thinking
. / Discussion postings and responses contribute to the quality of the discussion / interaction and thinking and learning by providing:
- Relevant questions and examples, but without support from the learning resources; and/or
- Ideas, suggestions and interpretations, but may be lacking in originality; and/or
- Adding depth to your colleague’s posting, but may not include clearly original ideas
- Demonstrates critical thinking, but not fully explained or supported
- Few and/or off topic questions; and/or
- Few and/or irrelevant non-supported examples; and/or
- Few if any thought-provoking ideas; and/or
- “Regurgitated” knowledge rather than original and / or critical thinking.
- Little beyond “good job”
- Provide questions or examples (or they are irrelevant); and/or
- Include interesting insights, thoughts or ideas; and/or
- Provide insight, validation of points, and/or demonstrate critical thinking.
- Go beyond “good job”.
- Fail to meet even the most basic requirements of the assignment and/or
- Are posted past the late deadline defined as 11:59 p.m. on the due date without prior contact with the instructor seeking AND receiving permission for a delay due to extraordinary circumstances (to be evaluated by instructor.)
Grade: / ______Points
TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS EARNED FOR DISCUSSION POST
Possible Points / Points Earned
RESPONSIVENESS TO DISCUSSION QUESTION/CONTENT KNOWLEDGE
/ 5 pointsQUALITY OF WRITING / 5 Points
CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION
/ 10 pointsTOTAL Discussion Points Earned:
% of Total Points Earned: