Numeric scores and feedback can be provided on student participation in a discussion topic. Unlike replies to posts, these scores are only available to the individual student. Scores can be automatically transferred to the Grades area if associated with a grade item.
Note: Grade items can only be assigned to discussion topics, not forums.
Set up a Topic for Grading
- Select
Discussions in the course navigation bar.
- The "Discussions List" page will open. Select the
dropdown arrow next to the discussion topic to be assessed.
- Select
Edit Topic.
- The "Edit Topic" page will open with the "Properties" tab displayed. Select Assessment.
- (Optional) To have the grade display in the
Grades area of the course, select a grade item:
-
To link to a grade item that has already been created in the Grades area, select the item from the Grade Item dropdown list.
-
If the grade item does not exist, create a new grade item for the topic by selecting New Grade Item.
- Enter the maximum points students can earn for participation in the discussion in the
Score Out Of field.
- (Optional) Add a Rubric. See
Rubrics for more information.
- Select
Save and Close.
Assign Scores and Provide Feedback
- Select Discussions in the course navigation bar.
- The "Discussions List" page will open. Select the
dropdown arrow next to the topic to be graded.
- Select
Assess Topic.
- The "Assess Topic" page will open. Select
Topic Score under the name of the student to be assessed.
- A new page will open to show all of the posts and responses the student has made for this discussion. If a rubric was attached to this discussion, the interactive rubric will appear in the evaluation panel with the "Overall Grade" and "Overall Feedback" fields.
Note: If using a rubric the earned points will be automatically entered into the "Overall Grade" field after scoring the rubric.
- (Optional) Enter qualitative feedback in the "Overall Feedback" box.
- Select Save Draft to delay the release of the grade and feedback.
- Select
Publish to release the grade and feedback.
NEXT STEPS
Review the scores that students earned on a discussion topic in a spreadsheet format in the Grades area. Visit Grades to learn more.