PARTICIPATION GRADING DETAILS (Worth 4 grade points)
In this math class, you are not required to write a paper; however, you still have a writing
assignment. You should consider the participation assignment as your writing assignment in this
class.
Here's my participation philosophy:
1. The discussions are a learning tool for all of us to share our understanding of a given
concept
2. The classroom discussions are the best place to make mistakes because we can fix the
errors together.
3. We each learn differently, so everyone's input is important in an online classroom. One
person's perspective of a concept may be very different from another person's. You may
see something that no one else thought of.
4. We do not learn only by getting things right. In fact, we learn a lot by making mistakes.
So I encourage you not to be afraid of making mistakes.
5. We learn more by teaching than by doing, so think of your participation posts as a minilesson where you are teaching a concept to your classmates.
The participation assignment counts more than the weekly Checkpoint quiz in this class (4
points vs. 3 points). Why is that?!?
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You do not have to show your work in MML.
You could just be following the step-by-step process in MML without having a deep
understanding of the concepts.
You could accidentally be getting the correct answer by guessing.
As such, your score in MML only partially reflects your understanding. I require you to discuss
math and work through a sample problem in your math participation posts so I can fully assess
your understanding. I believe participation is such a valuable assessment of the level of your
understanding that it counts even more than the weekly Checkpoint quiz.
Attendance vs. Participation: You are required to post two messages, called
attendance messages, on two different days of each week in order to stay registered in this
class. Your first two participation posts each week count as your attendance requirement so you
are considered in attendance for that week if you participate. However, occasionally a student
chooses not to participate. That student will lose the 4 points for the participation assignment
each week, but perhaps spending time in MML is more important to that student. Regardless of
the reason you choose not to participate, if you aren't going to participate in the discussion
during a specific week, be sure to post an attendance or check-in message on two different
days during the week. Attendance messages work best as private messages to the
instructor – simply post a message with the subject of “Attendance” and the body of the post
can be a simple “I’m here.” As you know, if you are not in attendance for any two weeks of a
five-week course, you will automatically be dropped from class. So participate with at least two
posts (one each on two separate days), which count both as participation AND attendance. Or
post no participation but make a checking in post on two different days of the week.
University Participation Policy: Refer to the University Policies and my Instructor
Policies regarding participation. The policy documents are found on the course home page in
the right-hand column. You are required to post at least eight (8) substantive posts spread out
over at least three (3) days. From my Instructor Policies:
CITATIONS: If you quote or paraphrase information from external websites (or if you copy graphics or
problems), you must give a correct citation or reference for that source. Neglecting to cite your
source of information/graphics/problems is considered plagiarism and will result in a zero for
the week's participation score (no warnings given). You do not need to formally cite/reference your
textbook, MML, or my personal website if you use information from these class resources -- Just start
the post with "From the textbook" or "From Jolene's Mini-movie"-- I'll accept that as a correct citation.
ORIGINAL CONTENT: Excessive use of copied or paraphrased materials (i.e. more than 20% of
document content) will result in point reductions even when cited properly. The purpose of participation
is to encourage original work and thought. Citations and references are for the purpose of supporting
your original thought, not replacing it.
Three categories of Substantive Posts: There are three types of posts you can
make that can qualify as “S”ubstantive posts:
1. Content Post. A content post will have an introductory paragraph describing the
concept being discussed and explaining how to do problems of that concept type. A
content post MUST contain a sample problem to illustrate the topic. Work through this
problem step-by-step with annotations for each step to explain how to do the problem. A
content post MUST be made under any Learning Activity on the week’s tab and works
best as a New Message unless you are replying and adding to the content post of
another student with the same topic. Please change the subject of your post to reflect
the topic you are discussing. A student's eight posts cannot be on the same topic but
should be spread out over the learning objectives for the week. [See an example of a
Content Post at the end of this document.]
2. Ask a Question Post. You will notice that I have created a learning activity each week
called “Week x Questions for Jolene.” If you are struggling with a concept or a practice
problem, do not struggle more than 10 minutes. Stop and ask a question as
a New Message under the “Week x Questions for Jolene” question thread. Share a
copy of the complete problem you do not understand (a screen shot would be ideal).
Also, share the MML Problem number if it’s available. Explain what you know about
starting the problem on your own and tell us where you are stuck. Do as much of the
problem as you understand. You can also answer another student’s question. Both
asking questions and responding to questions may qualify as “S”ubstantive posts. [See
an example of a Question Post at the end of this document.]
3. Response to a Green Question. I generally respond to every post students make. In
many of those responses, I will ask a Green Question to stimulate critical thinking and
help students gain a deep understanding of the concept. Answering a Green Question
correctly will count as a “S”ubstantive post. Be sure to copy/paste the Green Question
in your reply so we all have a context for your reply. [See an example of a Green
Question reply at the end of this document.]
Sample Problem in Every Substantive Post: I can't see a time when a post
without a sample problem will be counted as substantive. Without a sample problem, we
generally aren't talking math--we are talking about the subject of math or our philosophy of math
or our feelings/frustrations with math. Because you don't show your work in MML, I can't tell
from just a problem in MML if you had a lucky guess, if you blindly followed the formula step-bystep without really understanding the process, or if you truly have a deep understanding of the
concept. Thus, I use your participation posts to make sure you have a deep understanding of
the concept, and that almost always requires you working through a problem. On the other
hand, posting only a problem is not considered substantive either. A problem is meant to
support your discussion; it is not meant to be the discussion itself. Thus, write an introductory
paragraph explaining a concept AND give us a sample problem.
Post Early in the Week: The purpose of participation is to demonstrate what you are
learning (or to ask questions) so other students can learn from your work. Where possible, we
want to have a quality discussion of the weekly concepts. It has been my experience over the
past 15 years of teaching at University of Phoenix that many students wait until the last possible
moment on Monday night to make the majority of their posts. When posts are made on Monday,
there is little opportunity for students to discuss and/or learn from your post before having to
take the week's Checkpoint quiz. It has also been my experience that many posts coming in on
the evening of the last day are of low quality -- these last-minute posts are simply quick posts to
earn participation credit. Posting late in the week defeats the purpose of participation. I
wish the University would allow us faculty to restrict participation posts at the end of the week,
but they don't. The University sets the standard of at least 8 posts spread out over any days of
the week as long as those posts are made on at least 3 days.
Thus, in order to encourage early posting and discourage posting late in the week, I observe the
following practice: Posts should meet the criteria for earning "S"ubstantive credit as explained
above, but I am very lenient early in the week. If the sample problem is missing a few steps or
the student forgets to change the subject of the post, I am forgiving and usually mark the post
with the "S" mark anyway. However, the later it is in the week, the stricter I become until
I grant no leeway on Mondays if the post is not perfect. As such, I encourage you to post early
in the week in order to foster discussion, learning, and quality.
Green “S” Icon: I will mark all posts with either an “S” or a “U” after reading them. I will
mark substantive participation posts with an "S”. I use the "U" to mark posts that aren't
substantive--but note that a "U" does not necessarily mean a post that is bad or unacceptable.
Most posts that receive a "U" are merely responding and agreeing with a classmate or
expressing thanks for an explanation. The "U" is just a marker that I have read your post but the
post doesn’t qualify for participation credit. Remember that "U" means “not substantive”
(unsubstantive); it does not mean “unacceptable”. If you make a post that has one or more
mathematical errors, I will mark this post with a "U" -- but I will allow you to re-submit a
corrected post to earn an "S". If you do not see the “S” or “U” icon next to your post, wait 24
hours as I may not have had a chance to review all messages posted that day. But sometimes, I
get so engrossed in the discussion that I forget to mark posts with the “S” or “U” icon. So, if it
has been longer than 24 hours and there is still no mark, send a private note to me asking about
a particular post (mention the post by date and time posted as well as the message subject).
Word Count: Math problems and screen shots are difficult to quantify into minimum word
counts. I am more concerned with quality of content than quantity of words. However, I can
guarantee that a simple sentence or three will not meet the requirements for a “S”ubstantive
post.
Images & Screenshots: Images and screen shots from MyMathLab® and my personal
website are encouraged as part of your participation posts. In addition, you are expected to
use the WIRIS Math Expression Editor to work out your math problems. Refer to Class
Message #3 for more information about using the Math Expression Editor. Finally, you can work
out the problems on paper, take a picture of your work with a smartphone, and insert it into a
post (assuming it is readable). Be careful not to copy/paste from the textbook – because the
textbook is individual to each student and is password protected, students will be able to see
images copied/pasted from their textbook, but no other student or instructor will be able to see
them. Use a screen shot to capture images from the textbook. When making a screen shot to
include in a post, do not use PRINT SCREEN. Instead, use the “Snipping Tool” on a Windows
computer or “Grab” on a Macintosh computer. Refer to Class Message #3 for more information
about making a screen shot. Don’t forget to cite a reference for the source of images you
insert in a post.
Attachments: Please avoid attachments in a discussion post. Use attachments only when
absolutely necessary and there is no other option; however, the content of the attachment will
not count toward the substantive determination. Only the body of the post will be considered
when determining whether a post is substantive. Refer to Class Message #3 for more
information about making a screen shot to insert in the body of a post instead of using an
attachment.
How Participation is Scored: Participation is graded manually by your instructor. To
earn full participation credit for the week, post a minimum of eight substantive messages spread
out over of at least three days. Each week’s participation is worth up to 4 points, which is 20%
of your grade. To calculate your participation grade, I will count the number of substantive
posts for the week (up to a maximum of eight) and the number of days containing substantive
posts (up to a maximum of three). Those two numbers will be multiplied, and then converted
proportionately to 4 grade points (by dividing by 6).
For example: 6 substantive posts for the week; 1 day with substantive posts
6 × 1 ÷ 6 = 1.0 Grade Points out of 4.0 possible
For example: 7 substantive posts for the week; 2 days with substantive posts
7 × 2 ÷ 6 = 2.33 Grade Points out of 4.0 possible
For example: 9 substantive posts (max of 8 posts counted); 6 days with substantive posts (max
of 3 days counted)
8 × 3 ÷ 6 = 4.0 Grade Points out of 4.0 possible
SAMPLES OF SUBSTANTIVE POSTS
(Note: There are 5 requirements for each type of post)
CONTENT POST: Here's a sample of a substantive Content Post. Notice how there is (1) an
introductory paragraph explaining HOW to do the concept being discussed. Then, notice there is (2) a
sample problem worked out step-by-step with (3) annotations explaining each step. Finally, (4) this post
was made under a learning activity (not under Class Messages or an Assignment) and (5) the subject of
the post was changed to reflect the topic being discussed.
SUBJECT: Distance Formula
The Distance Formula says to subtract the two x-coordinates and square that difference. Then subtract
the two y-coordinates and square that difference. Add the two squares together, and then take the
principal square root of the sum. Note that we are taking the principal square root so there is only one
answer – we do not find both the plus and minus results. Here is a sample problem using the Distance
Formula to find the distance between two points:
QUESTION POST: Here's a sample of a Question Post. Assume you are working in MML on your
Study Plan assignment but you just can’t understand how to use the Distance Formula. Notice that (1) the
original problem from MML is copied and inserted into the post. Also, notice that you explain (2) what you
know and (3) where you are lost. Finally, (4) this post was made in the learning activity titled “Week x
Questions for Jolene” and (5) the subject of the post was changed to reflect the topic being discussed.
SUBJECT: Distance Formula
I am having trouble with the Week 1 Study Plan for finding the Distance Formula. I know the formula and I
know how to insert the two points. But I’m not sure what to do from there. Here’s what I can do:
The Distance Formula is
I can insert the points into the proper place in the formula but I don’t know what to do next:
GREEN QUESTION POST: Here's a sample of a Green Question Post. Notice that the student
(1) copied/pasted the green question into the post. The student (2) answered the question in detail and
(3) provided a sample problem if it helps answer the green question. Finally, this post was (4) a reply to
the original post with the Green Question in it and (5) the subject of the post was changed to reflect the
topic being discussed.
SUBJECT: Distance Formula
QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: When using the Distance Formula, one student subtracted the
y-coordinates first and then the x-coordinates. The Distance Formula lists the x-coordinates first
so will this student get the wrong answer? Why or why not? Be sure to work through a sample
problem with your explanation.
The Distance Formula tells us to subtract the two x-values (and square them), and then subtract the two
y-values (and square them). But because we add those two squared values, it would give the same
answer if we did the y-coordinates before the x-coordinates. We know that order doesn’t matter because
addition is commutative, which means we can add in any order. The student would get the same answer
of d = 5 either way.
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Find the distance between (1, 3) and (5, 0)
Subtracting the x-coordinates first:
Subtracting the y-coordinates first: