ASSE 2111: Learning Outcome Assessment I Spring 2012

Assignment: Online Discussions

Overview
Assessment I focuses on developing you critical thinking and assessment skills. Our regular series of online discussions, conducted via Blackboard, will help each of us sharpen 1) our ability to reason, weigh, and communicate our perspective on an issue, 2) and assess our own and others perspectives on that issue.

Requirements & Guidelines

Each online discussion will take place on your sections online Blackboard, inside the Discussion Board section of the site. Discussion threads will appear after the first class period of each week. Posts must be submitted within the correct discussion thread to receive pointsno exceptions. For each discussion, you will be responsible to make at least three significant posts to the discussion:

Post 1: Initial Statement and Self-Assessment Your initial post must respond directly to the weeks question, and consist of between 100150 words. (Posts longer or shorter than these minimum and maximum lengths will receive no points.) First, in responding to the question, you need to post not just an opinion, but a substantive, thoughtful argument. For example, saying I think Ferraris are the best make of motor vehicle is an unsupported opinion. Instead, your post should construct a logical argument based on several reasons, which are each based on evidence (or verified facts): I believe Ferraris make the best Formula 1 racing vehicles for these reasons, based on these related facts. The idea is to show your ability to think critically and constructively about the issue at hand. Second, your post must also include at least one point about selfassessment that critiques either a strength or a weakness of your argument. For example, after making your argument about Ferraris you might say One weak point of my argument, however, is the fact that few Ferrari drivers win major races. Post 2: Response to Someone Else Your second post must take the form of a thoughtful response (50-100 words min./max.) to someone elses post, responding to their perspective. Your post must be substantial (a simple I agree with what you said will not receive any points) and on-topic. Again, explain why you agree or disagree, and use evidence and theories to backup your assertions. You must also refrain from all personal or unrelated attacks. Post 3: Wildcard Your third post is a wildcard; that is, you are allowed either to follow up your own original post with more details or changes, respond to someone elses post you have not yet commented on, respond to someone who commented on one of your posts, or follow up your second post with more details. The post must be between 50-100 words; just as with the first two, it must be substantial, on-topic, and refrain from personal attacks.

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Online discussions are worth 10% of your overall grade in ASSE 2111. Points will be awarded according to the following rubric, with a total of 2 possible points per discussion to fulfill the 10% total. For each discussion, you will be graded as follows: Post 1, 1 point: 1. Complete argument: .5 point 2. At least one substantial point of self-assessmenteither positive or negative: .5 point. 3. Must be between 100-150 words. Post 2, .5 point: 1. Thoughtful, 50-100 word response to someone elses post. Post 3, .5 points: 1. Thoughtful, 50-100 word response.

Assessment

Due Dates
Each online discussion will take place in the class week following its assignment on the course schedule. For example, if class occurs on Saturday and an OD # appears in the corresponding section of the schedule, then the discussion is open for comment from that class day onward until Friday night of the following (second) week. For instance, a discussion assigned on Saturday, February 25 would be open from February 25 through 11:55pm on March 9. To receive points for the discussion, you must make all three of your posts by the close of the discussion period on the final day. Anyone posting less than three comments or whose comments fall outside these guidelines will receive zero points for that week. Posting more than three comments is most welcome, but the first three must follow the guidelines above. Keep in mind that the relatively long open period for these discussions means there will be some overlap on assignments; it is up to students to complete online discussions on time as assigned.

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