4 points

Displays an excellent understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Uses course materials and other information to support important points.

3 points

Displays some understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Limited use of course materials and other information to support points.

0 points

Displays little understanding of the course materials and the underlying concept being discussed. Use of course materials and other information to support points is incoherent or missing entirely.

Demonstrates an understanding of the comment under discussion

4 points

Displays an excellent understanding of the comment under discussion by...
...affirming statements and citing relevant research or,
...asking a new related question or,
...making an oppositional statement supported by personal experience or related research.

3 points

Displays some understanding of the comment under discussion by...
..affirming statements and citing some research or,
...asking a new somewhat related question or,
...making an oppositional statement somewhat supported by personal experience or related research.

0 points

Displays little understanding of the  comment under discussion as evidenced by...
...no affirming statements or references to relevant research or,
...asking no related questions or,
...making no oppositional statement supported by any personal experience or related research.

Connections to professional practice

3 points

Evidence of strong reflective thought pertaining to personal perspectives and professional development. Reflective statements go beyond what takes place in a classroom to include a theoretical rationale underlying the use of specific strategies or materials.

2 points

Evidence of some reflective thought pertaining to personal perspectives and professional development. Reflective statements contain some of the theoretical rationale underlying the use of specific strategies or materials.

0 points

Little evidence of reflective thought pertaining to personal perspectives and professional development. Few, if any, reflective statements go beyond what takes place in a specific classroom. Little if any theoretical rationale underlying the use of specific strategies or materials included.

1 point

Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing facilitates communication. 

.5 point

Written responses are largely free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing generally facilitates communication. 

0 points

Written responses contain more than 6 grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.  The style of writing does not facilitate communication.