If your section of the class is synchronous, you have a weekly Zoom meeting. If your section of the class is asynchronous, there are no Zoom meetings. Either way, you are responsible for completing all the tasks on each weekly page. The tasks are varied and include reading, listening, viewing, and discussing activities. In the synchronous section, we will complete some of these activities during the Zoom meeting. From time to time, you will be directed or linked back to the Blackboard platform to take quizzes or submit essays. Your grades will still be recorded in the Blackboard grade center. Be sure to check on your progress during the semester. CAMERAS DURING ZOOM MEETINGS Students are required to turn on their cameras and be visible during Zoom sessions of the synchronous class meetings. This aids in learning and helps foster a sense of community. However, students are welcome to use Zoom’s virtual backgrounds. Students who are uncomfortable with this policy are encouraged to switch to a course in which video presence is not required.
Daily Archives: May 18, 2022
Even in an online course, lively discussions are at the heart of an interesting class. These are the main forums for interaction in an online course and are also the primary means of showing your presence in the class. The weekly discussions can be accessed through the main menu (above) or through the page for each week (side menu). Directions and prompt appear when you click on the discussion board. Discussion Board Etiquette Please respond in full sentences in correct English (not in texting language) Please use upper and lower case. Disagreement with the opinions of others is fine–even encouraged—but please show respect for fellow classmates in your responses.
Class participation via the discussion board makes up a significant percentage of your overall grade (20%). How to receive full credit (100%) for each weekly discussion board. Submit your first post by Friday of each week at the latest. This is worth 80% of the weekly grade. Respond to the post of one other student by Sunday. This is worth 20% of the weekly grade. Make sure your first post is at least 150 words in length. Make sure your response to another student is at least 75 words. Comments such as “Nice post” or “I agree” are friendly but will not receive credit. Make sure you post in the week in which the discussion was assigned. For example, post your Week 3 response during Week 3. A few other notes about discussion board grading The highest grade an original post can receive if it is submitted on the weekend is 75% Posts submitted as attachments will not be opened. Discussion boards cannot be “made up.” This is because once a discussion has closed, there is no one in the forum with whom to discuss anything. If everyone posted on the weekend, there would be no ongoing discussion during the week.
