Online Discussion Rubric
Competency
1. Quantity & Timeliness
a. Post to initial discussion & respond to two
peer postings.
b. Initial post should be completed by end of
odd weeks & the responses to peers by the
end of even weeks, except week 9 which is
within the one week.
2. Demonstrates knowledge &
understanding of content
a. Knowledge of the topic is demonstrated
through the discussion
b. Content is clear and logical
c. Suggest additional resources to extend the
learning of the community.
3. Evidence of Critical Thinking
a. Student contributions and responses
reflected critical thinking related to the
content, i.e., pose new questions, use logic to
reason through the discussion on the topic,
analyze, predict, or synthesize information,
apply understanding to new areas.
b. Generated new meanings
c. Made connections among the various ideas
presented, thinking about the topic.
4. Generates learning within the
community
a. Prompts others to discuss more deeply.
b. Provides feedback to others that is helps
others to engage more deeply in the
discussion and to clarify ideas.
c. Provides leadership to other participants
through seeking new perspectives, ideas,
explanations; interpreting or elaboration on
others ideas; sharing experiences related to
the topic
5. Spelling and
mechanics
90-100
Submits one initial response to
primary topic early in the session, &
two or more peer responses early in
the session, & more than two peer
responses closer to the end of the
session.
Post(s) and responses show
evidence of knowledge and
understanding of course content and
is clear and logical, and include
other resources that extend the
learning of the community.
Addresses all elements of the
criterion, demonstrating critical
thinking.
Posts attempt to elicit responses and
reflections from other learners and
responses build upon the ideas of
other learners to take the discussion
deeper.
Submits posts that contain
grammatically correct sentences
without any spelling errors.
80-89
Submits at least one initial
response early in the session,
and at least two peer responses
closer to the end of the session.
Post(s) and responses show
evidence of knowledge and
understanding of course content
and is clear and logical.
Addresses two elements of the
criterion demonstrating a basic
level of critical thinking.
Posts attempt to elicit
responses and reflections from
other learners or responses
build upon the ideas of other
learners to take the discussion
deeper.
Submits posts that have one or
more grammatically incorrect
sentences or two spelling
errors.
70-79
Submits at least one initial
response early in the session
and only one peer response.
Post(s) and responses show
evidence of knowledge and
understanding of course content
but may not be clear and
logical.
Addresses one of the elements
of the criterion demonstrating a
beginning level of critical
thinking.
Posts attempt to elicit
responses and reflections from
other learners or responses
build upon the ideas of other
learners to take the discussion
deeper.
Submits posts that have one or
more grammatically incorrect
sentences and more than two
spelling errors.
69 and below
Does not submit at least one initial
response early in the session
and/or does not submit at least two
peer responses closer to the end
of the session.
Post(s) and responses show little
evidence of knowledge and
understanding of course content
but is not clear or logical. Does not
include reference to any course
content.
Does not demonstrate any
elements of the criterion for critical
thinking.
Posts do not attempt to elicit
responses and reflections from
other learners and/or responses
do not build upon the ideas of
other learners to take the
discussion deeper.
Does not submit posts that are in
complete sentences. Or two or
more of the complete sentences
are grammatically incorrect and
have greater than 2 spelling errors.
Task Rubric
Competency
1. Frequency
Completes a critical essay
and bibliography within the
specified time frame.
2. Critical Thinking
Includes thesis that shows
evidence of critical thinking
and self-reflection about topic.
3. Content
References course content
directly and indirectly.
4. Life Experiences
Applies concepts to life
experiences. Integrates
experiences into the
discussion to support beliefs.
5. Research Skills
Completes an annotated
bibliography.
90-100 80-89 70-79 69 and below
Completes essay and Assignments are submitted Assignments are submitted Assignments were not
bibliography on or late by less than 3 days. late by 3 days to 1 week. completed or submitted
before the due date. over a week late.
Evidence of both critical Evidence of either critical Self-reflection may be No critical thinking or self-
thinking and self- thinking or self-reflection is included but it is very reflection is included on
reflection is shown in missing in the journal limited, and there is no the topic.
the assignments. entry. evidence of critical thinking
about the topic.
Skillfully integrates Integrates content into the Marginally mentions Does not refer to any
content into discussion in the content in the content in the
assignments as a assignments but was not assignments. assignments.
means of supporting be intended to support
beliefs and ideas. beliefs or ideas.
Includes life Includes life experiences Occasionally includes life Does not include any life
experiences into the into the essay but it lacks experiences but they are experiences or
essay in order to sufficient detail to provide not connected to the experiences are off topic.
support ideas and support. content or supportive of
beliefs. ideas.
Includes 5 properly Includes 5 cited entries Includes 5 improperly cited Includes less than 5
cited entries using APA attempting APA formatting entries from scholarly properly cited entries or
formatting from from scholarly works with works with ~100-word less than 20-word
scholarly works with full less than 100-word annotations that directly annotations.
100-word annotations annotations that directly relate or explain the topic.
that directly relate or relate or explain the topic.
explain the topic.