Assessment in Online Learning: Discussion Post

Safe driving experiments and brain research show that multi-tasking drivers cannot process everything occurring on the roadway and the distractions which can occur while driving and respond appropriately. If you need to refresh your memory on distracted driving, view this video on some of the craziest driver distractions before proceeding to this weeks discussion post.



In this weeks discussion you are being asked to discuss possible driving distractions you have experienced or foresee possibly experiencing; discuss why they are a potential problem or danger; and when and how we might eliminate them when driving.

Participation in the discussion forums is critical for maximizing your learning experiences in an online course. Therefore, you are required to be an active part of our online community. A participant who interacts, through discussion, will enhance and support the professional development of the group. Part of the assessment criteria for this course includes assessing the quality and quantity of your participation in the discussion forum.

Some characteristics considered part of excellent discussion contributions are outlined below. Your facilitator will consider these characteristics when assessing the quality and level of your participation.

• You should submit your initial post(s) early in the weekly session and no later than Wednesday. Your subsequent responses to the posts of other learners should occur at timely intervals through the remainder of the week (see posting criteria within the rubric). Keep in mind the goal is to have a dynamic discussion that lasts throughout the entire weekly session.
• Your posts and responses should be thorough and thoughtful. Just posting an "I agree" or "Good ideas" will not be considered adequate. Statements should be supported with examples, experiences, professional or academic references. You are, however, encouraged to be brief — keep each post and response to two or three short paragraphs. Keep in mind that you and your fellow learners will be reading and responding to at least two of your fellow learners.
  
• Make certain to address the discussion prompt(s). This does not mean you should not extend the topic, but do not stray from the topic.
  
• Discussions occur when there is a dialogue. So, build upon the posts and responses of other learners to create engaging and thoughtful discussion threads. Make sure you revisit the discussion forum and respond (if necessary) to what other learners have posted to your initial responses.
  
• Add to the discussion by including prior knowledge, work experiences, references, Web sites, resources, etc. when relevant (credit references using APA format when appropriate).
  
• Your contributions to the discussion posts and responses should be complete and free of grammatical or structural errors.
  

Click this link for a copy of the discussion rubric.

By Wednesday:
Post your initial discussion on a possible driving distraction a driver might face as well as why it is risky or dangerous and how one might avoid the distraction. Support your post with resources and research.

By Friday:

Post a response to at least one of the initial discussion posts of your fellow students.

By Saturday:
Return to each of your colleagues' Discussion posts and post at least 2 follow up responses to the thread(s)of your choice. Try to find a conversation thread engaging to you and support your responses with references, examples, or your own experiences. Please keep in mind that your responses should always be respectful and professional in tone.