Discussion Sections

During the first three weeks of class (March 28 - April 15), the Discussion Section will be open and TA's will let you know what they expect from you and will be answering any questions you may have. During this time, you must do a practice posting to demonstrate that you understand how to post. To get credit for your practice posting, you must post this sentence: "This is my practice posting." This posting will be worth 15 points towards you grade. This practice posting must be done by 5:00pm on Friday April 15.

For weeks 4 through 10 of class (7 weeks), you may participate in the weekly discussion sessions as often as you wish, but you are required to participate two times during the week and do one "original posting" and one "follow-up posting". You may do both of your postings on the same day. An "original posting" is your response to a question posed by your TA. A "follow-up posting" is your response to a posting of another student. You should use complete sentences for your postings. Do not use texting abbreviations. You will receive up to 7.5 points towards your grade for each of your 2 postings each week for a total of 105 possible points (7 X 15 = 105).

Weeks begin at 8 am on Monday. Weeks end at 5pm on Friday.

There will be no make-ups for missed Discussion Section postings. You will lose one point for each hour your postings are late. Plan to post early in the week so you will not have a last-minute problem. In the past, one of the main reasons students have done poorly in the class is that they did not do their discussion postings. Please don't let this happen to you.

It is also your responsibility to check the Discussion Section to be sure that your postings have been received. Do this every time you do a posting, before the end of that week. If you can't find your posting, neither can your TA, and you will not receive credit for it.

I have underlined this information, because as I've already said, one of the main reasons students have done poorly in the class in the past is that they did not do their discussion postings. This only takes a few minutes each week, but it must be done each week that it is required, or you will lose points and be unhappy when you receive your grade for the course.

Confine your discussion postings to information relevant to the class. Inappropriate postings will be removed by your TA and 7.5 points will be deducted from your grade for each inappropriate posting.

REVIEW: Which of the following is true about the Discussion?
a. Discussions will be held using the Forums feature of SmartSite.
b. You are required to post twice each week (1 original and 1 follow-up posting) for Weeks 4 through 10 of the quarter.
c. Each Weeks Discussion will be open from 8:00 am on Monday through 5:00 pm on Friday.
d. You will lose 1 point per hour for posting late.
e. During the first three weeks of the quarter (March 28 - April 15), the Discussion will be open to answer questions you have regarding the course and for your TA to let you know what to expect. You must do a practice posting by 5:00pm on April 15.
f. It is your responsibility to check the Discussion each week to be sure that your postings have been received.
g. All of the other answers are correct.
Answer g