Graduate Programs Discussion Boards
Discussion Boards (DB) are a key component of online learning. They foster active participation of learners and dialog with fellow learners and instructors. Graduate-level courses require learners to create original posts to course DBs and to engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the course. Original posts and responses should be substantive, and if references are made to the works of others, APA guidelines for in-text citations and references apply.
Minimum Weekly DB Expectations
- Post an original and thoughtful Main Post to the DB prompt.
- Respond to at least 2 other posts from learners and/or the instructor (Response Posts).
- The first contribution (Main Post or Response Post) must be posted before midnight (Central time) on Friday of each week.
- Two additional responses are required after Friday of each week.
- For DB assignment prompts with a Part One and Part Two, Part One should be addressed in the first week of the unit with a Main Post and minimum of 2 Response Posts, and Part Two should be addressed in the second week of the unit with a Main Post and a minimum of 2 Response Posts.
More on DBs
At the end of each unit, DB participation is assessed based on level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion. DBs allow learners to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB are accepted after the end of the unit. Learners must demonstrate an appropriate depth of understanding of course content to receive credit for having submitted substantive posts. Typically, this is achieved with 6–7 strong paragraphs for Main Posts and 2–3 strong paragraphs for Response Posts.
Discussion Board Question Details
Part 1
Read the article titled Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools in the Course Materials resources for this Unit. Complete the following:
- Discuss what you learned from this article that you can apply in your daily work life.
- Select the 4 characteristics that you feel best exemplify quality in education, and place them in order of importance.
- Why did you select each of these four characteristics over the remaining 5 characteristics that you did not select?
- How does your selection compare with other classmates’ selections?
- Why is there a difference?
- Where are the similarities?
Part 2
Consider the article titled Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools. Choose 2 of the characteristics that would mean the most for your organization or an organization of which you know, and complete the following:
- Discuss with your other classmates how one of the following styles might be used by a leader to address deficiencies in any one of the areas that you identified:
- Situational leadership
- Bureaucratic leadership
- Transactional leadership
- Charismatic leadership
- Servant leadership
- Discuss the choices that other students have made, and identify the strengths and weaknesses in the potential usage of the styles.
- As a leader in your organization, what steps might you take to implement changes that could enhance the characteristics that you have selected?
In your own words, post a substantive response to the Discussion Board question(s) and comment on other postings. Your response should address the DB question(s) and move the conversation forward. You will be graded on the quality of your postings, including mastery of the concept as well as critical thinking. If asked for your opinion, do not simply state that it is a good or bad idea; elaborate on your reasons and argument. Include enough detail to substantiate your thinking as well as your position on the questions or comments.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
Your assignment will be graded in accordance with the following criteria. Click here to view the grading rubric.
