What to do when no one else has answer to the discussion question?

You know that in order to receive full participation on each day, you need to answer to the main Discussion Question (DQ) and post a substantial comment, but what can you do when no other student has posted and answer to the main DQ? (Normally happens on Mondays) Because if you do not post two answers on the same day it will NOT fulfill the requirement of participation and you will lose half the point on that day.

This is why I created the following video, to show you what the alternative solution might be. 

(Just remember to check with your facilitator requirements in case it changes) 

What is a substantive message and the word count

Quick overview on what a substantive message is,(check academic policy at the bottom of post) when you post your individual answer to a main Discussion Question (DQ) it simple needs to have a relation to the topic. So let say you are asked to write about the flue, then is obvious your answer needs to be related to that particular topic and not something like computer or anything else other than the topic.

Always remember to check the requirements of your facilitator on the word count. And when you participate in the DQ’s of other student make sure to give also a substantive answer to them, remember that saying the word “I agree” and submitting that as a respond does not count towards participation.

To verify your word count you can do it in two ways: the first one is to highlight your words on a Microsoft word document, and the second one is to check the word count on the university post window.

 Check the examples bellow and a quick video.  (Click on pictures for a larger view)

Always check the academic policies in case they change.  (only students can access this link)

Quick overview on how to obtain full participation points

How to get full participation points according to the academic policy v.5 of 07/01/11

You need to make two substantial Discussion messages, four days out of the week A TOTAL OF 8 posts.

But remember you need to answer 3 direct Discussion Questions (DQ), and then the others (5) posts can be a reply related to the discussion question.

Reply's to main discussion questions need to be at least 150 words or more; sometimes the facilitator will required you to do 200 words or more.

Reply's to students DQ’s can be 100 words or more, again depending on the facilitator’s requirements this number can vary.

What I prefer doing to get full participation points:

Monday to Thursday I answer to one direct DQ of the facilitator and one reply to a student response per day.

This means 1 post for the facilitator DQ of 150 words or more, and 1 post for a student DQ of 100 words or more, per day, on each class I am taking in the university.

When Friday comes around I am done with all participation requirements and I can work on my assignments if I haven’t done any of them, or if I have, then just relax and enjoy the weekend.

Just remember posting a response that says “I agree” does not count for participation. You need to keep in mind the word count and your post needs to be related to the topic, so do not start chatting with someone about random things when the main DQ talks about finances or whichever the topic might be.

There are other ways of getting full participation points but as long as you place 2 posts per day (with the right word count amount) on 4 days out of the week, you will obtain full participation points.

 

Check the Academic policy, click this link (Note: only students might be able to access, refresh page if necessary after opening window)