IHP 600 Discussion Guidelines and Rubric
Your active participation in the IHP 600 discussion topics is essential to your overall success this term. Discussion questions are designed to help you make
meaningful connections between the course content and the larger concepts and goals of the course. These discussions offer you the opportunity to express your
own thoughts, ask questions for clarification, and gain insight from your classmates’ responses and instructor’s guidance.
Requirements for Discussion Topic Assignments
Students are required to post one (1) initial post and
to follow up
with at least two (2)
response posts for
each discussion
topic a
ssignment.
For your initial post (1), you must do the following:
Compose a post of one to two paragraphs.
In Module One, complete the initial post by Thursday
at 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time.
In Modules Two through Ten, complete the initial post by Thursday at
11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
Take into consideration
material such as course content and other
discussion
topics from the current module and previous modules, when
appropriate.
Reference
scholarly
or
peer-reviewed
sources
to
support
your
discussion
points,
as
appropriate
(using
proper
citation
methods
for
your
discipline).
For your
response posts (2), you must do the following:
Reply to at least two different classmates outside of your own initial
post thread.
In Module One, complete the two response posts by Sunday at 11:59
p.m. Eastern Time.
In Modules Two through Ten, complete the two response posts by
Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
Demonstrate more depth and thought than simply stating “I agree”
or
“You are wrong.”
Guidance is provided for you in each
discussion
prompt.
Evaluators are encouraged to assign a zero to any work sample or collection of work that does not meet Benchmark level performance.
Rubric
Critical Elements
Proficient
100% (6 points)
Accomplished
88% (5.3 points)
Benchmark
80% (4.8 points)
Not Evident
0% (0 points)
Values
Content
Demonstrates a thorough
understanding of content and
purpose that is responsive to
the assigned task(s) and
focuses all elements of the
initial and subsequent
discussion posts.
Demonstrates adequate
consideration of content and
purpose. Drafts an initial post
and response with a clear focus
on the assigned question/task.
Is appropriate with response to
peers’ posts.
Demonstrates minimal
attention to content,
purpose, and to the
assigned task(s).
There are no points
awarded for this
category.
25
Content Development
Uses appropriate, relevant,
Uses appropriate, relevant, and
Uses appropriate and
There are no points
25
and compelling content to
illustrate mastery of the
subject, conveying the
writer's understanding and
shaping the discussion.
compelling content to explore
ideas within the context of the
discipline and to shape the
discussion.
relevant content to develop
simple ideas in some parts
of the discussion initial and
peers’ discussion posts.
awarded for this
category.
Sources and Evidence
Demonstrates skillful use of
high-quality, credible,
relevant sources other than
the evidence presented
within the course to develop
ideas that are appropriate to
the discussion.
Demonstrates consistent use of
credible, relevant sources to
support ideas expressed in the
discussion post.
Demonstrates an attempt
to use sources to support
initial discussion posting
and a peer’s posting.
There are no points
awarded for this
category.
25
Control of Syntax and
Mechanics
Uses graceful language that
skillfully communicates
meaning to readers with
clarity and fluency and is
virtually error-free.
Uses straightforward language
that conveys meaning to
readers. The language in the
posting has few errors.
Uses language that
sometimes impedes
meaning because of errors
in usage.
There are no points
awarded for this
category.
15
Timeliness
Submits initial post on time
Submits initial post one day late
Submits initial post two or
more days late
There are no points
awarded for this
category.
10
