Workshop: Using Rubrics to Promote Meaningful Online Discussions

Overview

Ray Purdom presents ways of using rubrics to improve the quality of online discussions. Through the following activities and video, you will survey your own approach to communication in online courses. You will learn methods for promoting more meaningful discussion among students within an online course.

Initial Activity

Write down a brief response to the following question:

Do you use rubrics in your teaching? If you do, write down the benefits that you have experienced from using rubrics.

eClip - Using Rubrics to Promote Meaningful Online Discussions

Watch the eClip in a new window or in this window.

To view this video, your browser must be equipped with Windows Media Player.

Reflection Activity

Take a minute to think about the questions below. Then discuss your answers with a partner and share with the group your thoughts.

What are some unacceptable or poor levels of performance that you have experienced with online discussion postings by students?
What were the characteristics of online discussion posts that you thought were of exceptionally high quality?
What would be your list of criteria for a rubric for assessing online discussion?

Followup Resources

Rubric for Asynchronous Discussion Participation - http://www.udel.edu/janet/MARC2006/rubric.html

Discussion Rubric for Online Class - http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/discussionrubric.html

Discussion Board Rubric - http://www.tulsa.cc.ok.us/dl/faculty/bb_tips/discussion_rubric1.doc

Sample Rubrics - http://www.winona.edu/AIR/rubrics.htm

Use of Rubrics in Online Assessment - http://www.unisa.edu.au/evaluations/Full-papers/BaronFull.doc

Scoring Rubric for Grading Students' Participation in Online Discussions - http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=830886