A Student Perspective on How Online Discussions Should Be Graded

Grading discussions for quality and participation has been an area studied by researchers as the growth of online and distance learning has become a foundational component in academic environments. Research regarding assessment for online discussions has been in favor of employing and communicating specific rubrics for participation, as well as content and quality of postings supported by instructor feedback. The research regarding grading graduate student online discussions is not as definitive. In this study, students in four graduate level sections of the same course research, discuss, and finally determine the process as how face-to-face and online discussions will be graded. Through the discussion process, arguments and solutions change.