Guest Post: Dr. Dawn Stanley, Sociology "Grading Online Discussions"

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Adding a discussion thread component may seem like an easy way to hybridize your class. And it is. But discussion threads result in additional labor for the professor: you’ll probably want to participate in the discussions and there’s the question of grading.

Until you get the hang of using the D2L discussion grading system and of grading the comments, having a discussion thread component to the class will add extra time to your course prep and work. But with a clear rubric and practice with the system, you will be able to zip through the grading.

I’ll cover 3 possible discussion thread grading models: 2 based on weekly grading and 1 on end of the term grading.

By Dawn Stanley, Ph.D.

stanleyd [at] colorado.edu

Dawn's explanation as well as her discussion board rubrics are available here. 

Dr. Dawn Stanley teaches her Introduction to Sociology course through Continuing Education and has been kind enough to share her insights, grading policies, and rubrics with the rest of us. Thanks!