Course Evaluation

Your course grade will be based on:

20% - Completion of assignments within each of the content modules
40% - Online discussion participation
40% - Final project

A -- Meets or exceeds the standard
B -- Meets 90% of the standard
I -- Incomplete (Work must be resubmitted.)

Your instructor will provide feedback throughout the course. Any time that you want to ask about your progress/grade on a specific module activity or discussion performance, you are encouraged to send a private email to your instructor.

Complete the checklist provided at the end of each module to self-monitor the completion of all module activities.

Discussion Board Participation Evaluation

Ongoing participation in discussions throughout the term is a class requirement. Engaged discussions are the basis for much of your learning. Much of the work you complete in the discussions will not have a right or wrong answer. Discussion postings do not require formal writing, but your writing should be professional and generally free of typing or grammatical errors. Evaluation will be based on

• the amount of your participation
• evidence of thoughtful discussion,
• questions you ask
• completion of activities.

If technical difficulties or other circumstances make discussion participation difficult, please contact the instructor immediately.

Evaluation of your discussion participation is cumulative and subjective based on notes that the instructor records each week.

While class discussion, whether online or face-to-face, can be characterized by free flowing conversation, there are identifiable characteristics that distinguish exemplary contributions to class discussion from those of lesser quality. The criteria found on the rubric below will be used to assess the quality of your responses to the postings and comments of class members during class discussions.

Discussion Participation Rubric and Points
Criteria	Exemplary/Excellent 9-10 Points	Proficient/Satisfactory 6-8 points	Incomplete/Unsatisfactory 0 - 5 points
Quantity of Postings	The required postings are completed for each module's activity with additional postings responding to other participants' postings. There is evidence of engaged, active discussion.	The required number of postings for each module's activities are completed.	Discussion postings are below the minimum number required for the module's activities. Contributions are vague or merely perfunctory. For example, most of the postings are "I think so too" or "I disagree", but lack any questions that extend or add to the discussion.
Quality of Writing	Written responses are free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Written responses are usually free of grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.	Written responses frequently contain obvious grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.
Content of Discussion Board Postings	Discussion postings make it clear you have read the required readings or completed the assignment. Your response includes thought-provoking comments or questions designed to elicit responses from other participants, reacts to other's discussion points and enhances discussion.	Discussion postings suggest you have read the readings and are responding to most of the questions and assignments.	Discussion postings suggest little real supporting evidence of individual thought or indication of having read the required readings or completed the assignments.
References and Documented Citations to Professional Readings	Postings include include a wide variety of appropriate, well-researched and informative sources and have well-edited quotes from “expert” sources when appropriate and needed, Quotes and sources of information are credited appropriately.	Postings include Includes appropriate and informative quotes from “expert” sources. Source quotes are credited appropriately.	Postings include no source quotes or includes source quotes with multiple citation errors.
Timeliness of Discussion Board Postings	Discussion postings are posted on several different days throughout the module activity and are posted in a timely manner (within the module's specified time period listed on the course calendar).	Discussion postings are generally posted within the time frame for the activity, but not necessarily posted throughout the module, or are occasionally posted outside of the module's specified time period.	Postings are submitted late or all postings for a module are posted on the same day instead of posted on different days during the module activity. There is no or little evidence of interaction on the discussion board throughout the module.

Assignment Evaluation

Some modules have activities that require you to submit a short document or mini-project. Points and grading vary with each assignment. Assignments will be evaluated using the specified criteria for each specific project.

Participants may share drafts of projects-in-progress for peer feedback and discuss ideas and suggestions before submitting the final copy of each assignment.

Late Policy

Due dates are listed on the course calendar for each module’s assignments.  If the assignment is late, either partial or no credit will be given if the instructor is not informed in advance. A MINIMUM 10% point value will be deducted for late assignments.

ALL assignments must be completed to pass the course.

Final Project Evaluation

Your final project for the class will include artifacts that are an accumulation of several course activities. Module 8 provides specific information, examples, and a rubric for the final project.

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