Here are some discussion board guidelines for a distance learning course at Liberty University.
Throughout the course, students will be required to make a minimum of weekly posts to the discussion board. In large part, the quality of interaction on the discussion board is how a student’s class participation grade will be derived. All of these posts will be in the full class discussion forum. Each week on the Discussion Board, starting with Week 2, you will see 3 to 4 questions that you are required to discuss with everyone. There will be FIVE graded full-class discussions during the course. These discussions will be more general and theoretical in nature, much like a general class discussion in a residential setting.
Each student is required to make at least ONE substantive original post (thread) for each of the questions and at least TWO short interaction/reply posts to two other student’s original posts. However, each student may also make more than the required posts. You are encouraged to talk with one another as much as possible.
Each Discussion Board requires a minimum of an original post (at least 200–250 words answering the questions given) and the two smaller interaction/reply posts (50–100 words). While students are encouraged to participate more actively in the learning activities, only the original and interaction/reply posts will count toward the grade.
All original Discussion Board posts are due on Wednesdays by 11:59 p.m (ET). All interaction/replies to discussion board posts are due on Saturdays by 11:59 p.m (ET).
If you do not respond by these time deadlines, your interaction will not “count” (Blackboard records the date and time!) and, therefore, you will not receive points toward the grade for that assignment. But this will be a much more valuable experience if students post soon after the questions are announced. Imagine a classroom where the professor asked a question, but no one ever responded or waited for 3 days to respond! Contrast that with a vibrant classroom discussion where students are engaging each other and the professor in dialogue on a particular topic.
Enthusiastic agreement and respectful disagreement with others in the class is expected. Disrespect (e.g., name-calling, “Bible thumping,” sermonizing, hostility, etc.) will not be acceptable communication on the discussion boards and severe final course grade reduction will be the consequence if it occurs. Learning to accurately communicate beliefs, attitudes, and emotions about important issues is a crucial part of personal and professional development, particularly when others don’t see them as you do.
