NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

Sample Answer for NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios Included After Question

In the realm of marketing, a successful branding strategy is one of the most important contributors to organizational success. A solid branding strategy can help add visibility and credibility to a company’s products.

Similarly, nurse-scholars can build a personal brand to add visibility and credibility to their work. You can begin building your brand by developing and maintaining an academic portfolio. Such an activity can help share the results of your efforts and contribute to your success. This week’s Discussion asks you to consider and share strategies for building your portfolio.

To Prepare:

  • Reflect on strategies that you can pursue in developing portfolios or portfolio elements that focus on academic achievements.
  • Review one or more samples from your own research of resources focused on portfolio development.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of at least two strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into your professional development goals. Then, explain how those goals may align with the University’s emphasis on social change. Be specific and provide examples.

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Support main post with 3 of more current, credible sources and cite source within content of posting and on a reference list in proper APA.

By Day 6

NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample
NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days, by offering additional ideas regarding academic achievements to include or offering alternative ways of presenting the current achievements.

Be sure to offer support from at least 2 current, credible sources in each required response to classmates’ main post and cite per APA.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 5 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 5 Discussion

Module 5 (Weeks 8-9): Professional Development Plan

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Blueprint to Success [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Your Professional Development Plan [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Analyze strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into professional portfolios
  • Create curriculum vitae
  • Develop professional development goals
  • Align professional development goals to Walden’s social change initiatives
  • Construct elements of an Academic Success and Professional Development Plan

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Burns, M. K. (2018). Creating a nursing portfolio. Ohio Nurses Review, 93(3), 16-17.

Casey, D. & Egan, D. (2013). The use of professional portfolios for career enhancement. British Journal of Nursing, 15(11), 547–552.

East, R. (2015). Developing a nurse practitioner portfolio. ACORN: The Journal of Perioperative Nursing in Australia, 28(4), 35.

Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48–49. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.americannursetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ant11-Digital-Identity-1017a-1.pdf

Leahy, R., & Filiatrault, A. (2017). Employers’ perceptions of the benefits of employment electronic portfolios. International Journal of ePortfolio, 7(2), 217-223.

McMillan, L. R., Parker, F., & Sport, A. (2014). Decisions, decisions! E-portfolio as an effective hiring assessment tool. Nursing Management, 45(4), 52-54.

Walden University. (n.d.). Walden University catalog. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu
Select College of Nursing, then Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Review the MSN Learning Outcomes on this page.

Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.). Walden templates: Overview. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates
Note: Download and review the College of Nursing Template by navigating to “Program-Specific Templates” and then “College of Nursing,” and selecting “College of Nursing Writing Template With Instructions.”

Document: APA Basics Checklist: Citations, Reference List, and Style (PDF)

Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Scholars of Change: Reis Woolen [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Scholars of Change: Jackie Kundert [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Scholars of Change: Joan Kempagno [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

In the realm of marketing, a successful branding strategy is one of the most important contributors to organizational success. A solid branding strategy can help add visibility and credibility to a company’s products.

Similarly, nurse-scholars can build a personal brand to add visibility and credibility to their work. You can begin building your brand by developing and maintaining an academic portfolio. Such an activity can help share the results of your efforts and contribute to your success. This Module’s Discussion asks you to consider and share strategies for building your portfolio.

To Prepare:

  • Reflect on strategies that you can pursue in developing portfolios or portfolio elements that focus on academic achievements.
  • Review one or more samples from your own research of resources focused on portfolio development.

By Day 3 of Week 8

Post an explanation of at least two strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into your professional development goals. Then, explain how those goals may align with the University’s emphasis on social change. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 8

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by offering additional ideas regarding academic achievements to include or offering alternative ways of presenting the current achievements.

Submission and Grading Information

NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 8 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 8

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 8 Discussion

Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 5: Professional Development

In this Module’s Discussion, you were introduced to the concept of an academic portfolio to begin building your own brand. However, portfolios have value that goes beyond brand building. An academic and professional portfolio can also help you to build your own vision and mission and establish your development goals. In this regard, a portfolio becomes yet another tool in your toolbox as you build your success.

In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by developing the fifth component–a portfolio for your academic and professional efforts.

To Prepare:

  • Consider your goals for academic accomplishments while a student of the MSN program.

The Assignment:

  • Using the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template document that you began to work on in Module 1 and have continued expanding throughout this course, you will develop a curriculum vitae (CV) in Part 5 based on your current education and professional background.

Note: Add your work for this Assignment to the original document you began in the Module 1 Assignment, which was built from the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.

By Day 7 of Week 9

Submit Part 5.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

  • Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK9Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
  • Click the Week 9 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
  • Click the Week 9 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
  • Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK9Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
  • If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
  • Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.

Note: Due to the nature of this assignment, your instructor may require more than 5 days to provide you with quality feedback.

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 9 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 9 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 9

To submit your Assignment:

Week 9 Assignment

 

NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Rubric Detail

Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
Content
Name: NURS_6003_Module05_Week08_Discussion_Rubric

Grid View
List View

Excellent Good Fair Poor
Main Posting

Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)

Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.

Supported by at least three current, credible sources.

Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)

Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth.

Supported by at least three credible sources.

Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)

Responds to some of the discussion question(s).

One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed.

Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.

Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

Post is cited with two credible sources.

Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors.

Contains some APA formatting errors.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)

Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately.

Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria.

Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis.

Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.

Contains only one or no credible sources.

Not written clearly or concisely.

Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors.

Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
Main Post: Timeliness

Points Range: 10 (10%) – 10 (10%)

Posts main post by day 3.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
First Response

Points Range: 17 (17%) – 18 (18%)

Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.

Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.

Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 15 (15%) – 16 (16%)

Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 13 (13%) – 14 (14%)

Response is on topic and may have some depth.

Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.

Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12 (12%)

Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.

Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are missing.

No credible sources are cited.
Second Response

Points Range: 16 (16%) – 17 (17%)

Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.

Responds fully to questions posed by faculty.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources.

Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 14 (14%) – 15 (15%)

Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.

Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues.

Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed.

Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources.

Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

Points Range: 12 (12%) – 13 (13%)

Response is on topic and may have some depth.

Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed.

Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 11 (11%)

Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.

Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication.

Responses to faculty questions are missing.

No credible sources are cited.
Participation

Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
Total Points: 100

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

Title: NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

Academic activities and accomplishments can be a great way to help you excel at your professional development goals that you have set for yourself. Excelling academically helps to obtain more knowledge for you to better care for your patients.  We do this through continued education courses (CEUs) that are often offered through hospitals and through furthering our education by attending accredited universities.  Knowing strategies to tie in academic activities and accomplishments into professional development goals can help RNs and APRNs provide better care to their patients.

One strategy is to pursue an advanced nursing degree.  Obtaining the knowledge to become an APRN can allow you to have more control in your patients’ plan of care and increase positive patient outcomes.  Obtaining your MSN is a major academic accomplishment that will level your professional scope of practice develop you into an APRN who can lead in providing safe and effective care regimens for your patients (Vasquez-Calatayud,et.al., 2021).  This aligns with Walden’s emphasis on social change.  The higher level of education allows us to provide more education to our patients and increase positive patient outcomes and better serve our communities (Walden University, 2018).  Additionally, having a broader knowledge base will help to provide a higher level of care.

Another strategy to integrate academic activities and accomplishments into professional development goals is to join nursing organizations/associations.  A good example of a nursing organization/association to join is the International Council of Nurses.  This council is a federation of national nursing associations representing nurses in more than 130 countries (Kennedy, 2019).  Participating in organizations such as this can help you improve your involvement in social change within your community.  This also aligns with Walden’s social change focus.  Providing data, research, and findings from your experience of caring for your patients can help with your professional development goals.  Additionally, the information provided by nursing associations helps you grow knowledge and provide current evidence based practice to your patients.

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

Title: NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

Professional portfolios are becoming a very popular way for employers to evaluate a nurse is experience and progress. They are considered structured evidence that demonstrate an individual is ability to meet their profession’s standards for practice, including an indication of the professional’s vision of future growth and capacity building (Walden University, 2018)). Because of its growing importance, nurses should ensure that they keep their portfolio current and up to date. Every nursing scholar must first create a professional portfolio before moving from student to professional graduate roles. For the purpose of showcasing their accomplishments and scholarly pursuits, students must have an academic portfolio.

One of the strategic I intent to use in enhancing my portfolio is to show materials that highlight my academic achievements. Nursing scholars must incorporate their existing skills and knowledge into the development of their professional portfolios (Henderson, Davis, & Day, 2018, p.353). As a Walden master’s degree student, I would love to showcase the projects and assignments that would help show my academic activities and accomplishments that I completed so far in the program of study. The plans and tasks that would be shown would be divided into sections of individual assignments, professional development (which includes development projects and specialized research), classroom involvement, and research. It is essential that, as a scholar, I do research and understand the professional practitioner market to build a portfolio that reflects any changes in the market (Jung & Kim, 2017, p.765).

Another strategy I will employ for my professional portfolio is to keep track of all my academic achievements and activities online. According to research, using an online or electronic portfolio can help students achieve more in the classroom (Ahmed & Ward, 2019). To achieve this, I will put everything for my portfolio together in a Google Doc. With Google Doc, I can use a computer to review various parts of my documents whenever and wherever I want. Google Doc regularly saves work, so I don’t have to worry if my computer’s battery runs out of power or if my internet connection is interrupted. In all, using the strategies mentioned above will be helpful because it will show what I have accomplished and what I can contribute in any given professional situation.

References

Ahmed, E., & Ward, R. (2019). Analysis of factors influencing acceptance of personal, academic professional development e-portfolios. Computers in Human Behavior, 63.

Henderson, J., Davis, R., & Day, T. (2018). Developing portfolios to document student performance and accomplishments. NACTA Journal, 59(4), 353.

Jung, J., Kim, S. (2017) Developing a dynamic portfolio selection model with a self-adjusted rebalancing method. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 68, 765.

Walden University. (2018). Curriculum vitae guide: Build your curriculum vitae.

A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

Title: NURS 6003 Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios

When studying and in the actual practice, nurses work and commit numerous resources to achieve some goals. One of the main attention areas is professional development. Here, nurses focus on growing as professionals and increasing knowledge to become excellent health care providers. Their knowledge and skills should be known as they search for jobs, when working, and looking for career advancement opportunities and promotion. This discussion post explains strategies for including academic activities and accomplishment into my professional development goals and their connection to University’s emphasis on social change. 

Concerning inclusion, it is crucial to have the right documents highlighting my academic activities and accomplishments. One such document in any career is a professional portfolio. An academic portfolio provides a record of the nurse’s professional development, including individual, academic, and professional goals (University of Helsinki, 2019). It also includes growth and academic achievements. To bring the desired effect, the portfolio should consist of service and research folios to ensure that the nurse’s contribution to the health community has been covered and personal interests and contributions are known (Cope & Murray, 2018). Besides the professional portfolio, curriculum vitae can be a valuable document for detailing academic activities and achievements. According to DeNisco (2019), the curriculum vitae show a person’s educational path and accomplishments over time.  A scan of the CV can provide adequate details about a nurse’s skills and successes related to professional growth. 

Regarding the connection between my goals and Walden University’s focus on social change, it is justified to argue that they align as required since I look forward to acquiring and utilize skills to contribute to positive social change. Walden University’s social change principle is centered on transformation. Accordingly, gaining skills to transform people and communities aligns with this call.  

References 

Cope, V., & Murray, M. (2018). Use of professional portfolios in nursing. Nursing Standard, 32(30). doi: 10.7748/ns.2018.e10985 

DeNisco, S. M. (2019). Advanced practice nursing: Essential knowledge for the profession: essential knowledge for the profession. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. 

University of Helsinki. (2019, Aug 11). Academic Portfolio. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/university/careers-at-the-university-of-helsinki/academic-portfolio 

 

Rubric

NURS_6002_Week_5_Discussion_Rubric
You’ve already rated students with this rubric. Any major changes could affect their assessment results.
NURS_6002_Week_5_Discussion_Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts

Main Posting

50 to >44.0 pts

Excellent
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. … Supported by at least three current, credible sources. … Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

44 to >39.0 pts

Good
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. … At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. … Supported by at least three credible sources. … Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style.

39 to >34.0 pts

Fair
Responds to some of the discussion question(s). … One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. … Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. … Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. … Post is cited with two credible sources. … Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. … Contains some APA formatting errors.

34 to >0 pts

Poor
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately. … Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. … Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. … Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. … Contains only one or no credible sources. … Not written clearly or concisely. … Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. … Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style.
50 pts

Main Post: Timeliness

10 to >0.0 pts

Excellent
Posts main post by day 3.

0 pts

Poor
Does not post by day 3.
10 pts

First Response

18 to >16.0 pts

Excellent
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. … Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. … Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. … Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. … Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. … Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. … Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

16 to >14.0 pts

Good
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. … Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. … Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. … Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. … Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

14 to >12.0 pts

Fair
Response is on topic and may have some depth. … Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. … Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. … Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.

12 to >0 pts

Poor
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. … Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. … Responses to faculty questions are missing. … No credible sources are cited.
18 pts

Second Response

17 to >15.0 pts

Excellent
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. … Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. … Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. … Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. … Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. … Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. … Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

15 to >13.0 pts

Good
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. … Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. … Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. … Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. … Response is effectively written in standard, edited English.

13 to >11.0 pts

Fair
Response is on topic and may have some depth. … Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. … Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. … Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited.

11 to >0 pts

Poor
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. … Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. … Responses to faculty questions are missing. … No credible sources are cited.
17 pts

Participation

5 to >0.0 pts

Excellent
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.

0 pts

Poor
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
5 pts
Total Points: 100

Grading Rubric Guidelines

Performance Category 10 9 8 4 0
Scholarliness

Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic decisions.

  • Provides relevant evidence of scholarly inquiry clearly stating how the evidence informed or changed professional or academic decisions
  • Evaluates literature resources to develop a comprehensive analysis or synthesis.
  • Uses valid, relevant, and reliable outside sources to contribute to the threaded discussion
  • Provides relevant evidence of scholarly inquiry but does not clearly state how the evidence informed or changed professional or academic decisions.
  • Evaluates information from source(s) to develop a coherent analysis or synthesis.
  • Uses some valid, relevant, reliable outside sources to contribute to the threaded discussion.
  • Discusses using scholarly inquiry but does not state how scholarly inquiry informed or changed professional or academic decisions.
  • Information is taken from source(s) with some interpretation/evaluation, but not enough to develop a coherent analysis or synthesis.
  • Little valid, relevant, or reliable outside sources are used to contribute to the threaded discussion.
  • Demonstrates little or no understanding of the topic.
  • Discusses using scholarly inquiry but does not state how scholarly inquiry informed or changed professional or academic decisions.
  • Information is taken from source(s) without any interpretation/evaluation.
  • The posting uses information that is not valid, relevant, or reliable
  • No evidence of the use of scholarly inquiry to inform or change professional or academic decisions.
  • Information is not valid, relevant, or reliable
Performance Category  10 9 8 4 0
Application of Course Knowledge –

Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles and concepts learned in the course lesson and outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations

  • Posts make direct reference to concepts discussed in the lesson or drawn from relevant outside sources;
  • Applies concepts to personal experience in the professional setting and or relevant application to real life.
  • Posts make direct reference to concepts discussed in the lesson or drawn from relevant outside sources.
  • Applies concepts to personal experience in their professional setting and or relevant application to real life
  • Interactions with classmates are relevant to the discussion topic but do not make direct reference to lesson content
  • Posts are generally on topic but do not build knowledge by incorporating concepts and principles from the lesson.
  • Does not attempt to apply lesson concepts to personal experience in their professional setting and or relevant application to real life
  • Does not demonstrate a solid understanding of the principles and concepts presented in the lesson
  • Posts do not adequately address the question posed either by the discussion prompt or the instructor’s launch post.
  • Posts are superficial and do not reflect an understanding of the lesson content
  • Does not attempt to apply lesson concepts to personal experience in their professional setting and or relevant application to real life
  • Posts are not related to the topics provided by the discussion prompt or by the instructor; attempts by the instructor to redirect the student are ignored
  • No discussion of lesson concepts to personal experience in the professional setting and or relevant application to real life
Performance Category  5 4 3 2 0
Interactive Dialogue

Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts a minimum of two times in each graded thread, on separate days.

(5 points possible per graded thread)

  • Exceeds minimum post requirements
  • Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts three or more times in each graded thread, over three separate days.
  • Replies to a post posed by faculty and to a peer
  • Summarizes what was learned from the lesson, readings, and other student posts for the week.
  • Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts a minimum of two times in each graded thread, on separate days
  • Replies to a question posed by a peer

Summarizes what was learned from the lesson, readings, and other student posts for the week.

  • Meets expectations of 2 posts on 2 different days.
  • The main post is not made by the Wednesday deadline
  • Does not reply to a question posed by a peer or faculty
  • Has only one post for the week
  • Discussion posts contain few, if any, new ideas or applications; often are a rehashing or summary of other students’ comments
  • Does not post to the thread
  • No connections are made to the topic
  Minus 1 Point Minus 2 Point Minus 3 Point Minus 4 Point Minus 5 Point
Grammar, Syntax, APA

Note: if there are only a few errors in these criteria, please note this for the student in as an area for improvement. If the student does not make the needed corrections in upcoming weeks, then points should be deducted.

Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing.

The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition

  • 2-3 errors in APA format.
  • Written responses have 2-3 grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors.
  • Writing style is generally clear, focused, and facilitates communication.
  • 4-5 errors in APA format.
  • Writing responses have 4-5 grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.
  • Writing style is somewhat focused.
  • 6-7 errors in APA format.
  • Writing responses have 6-7 grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.
  • Writing style is slightly focused making discussion difficult to understand.
  • 8-10 errors in APA format.
  • Writing responses have 8-10 grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.
  • Writing style is not focused, making discussion difficult to understand.
  • Post contains greater than 10 errors in APA format.
  • Written responses have more than 10 grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors.
  • Writing style does not facilitate communication.
  • The student continues to make repeated mistakes in any of the above areas after written correction by the instructor
0 points lost       -5 points lost
Total Participation Requirements

per discussion thread

The student answers the threaded discussion question or topic on one day and posts a second response on another day. The student does not meet the minimum requirement of two postings on two different days
Early Participation Requirement

per discussion thread

The student must provide a substantive answer to the graded discussion question(s) or topic(s), posted by the course instructor (not a response to a peer), by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT of each week. The student does not meet the requirement of a substantive response to the stated question or topic by Wednesday at 11:59 pm MT.