GaVS Discussions
The complete how-to guide
Maximize your grade and your knowledge!
1. Requirements
- 50 pts = Post your original thread with the correct answer(s) and show your work. If you use any outside resources or websites for help, make sure you include those. Otherwise, it's plagiarism!
- 25 points = Respond to a classmate’s post
- 25 points = Respond to another classmate’s post
- Total points = 100
All of the above must be completed by the due date for full credit. If for some reason your answer is incorrect, you can correct it by the due date and you will still get FULL credit.
It's as simple as that!
Note: Once your discussion is graded, your teacher does not receive a notification if you "edit" an existing discussion post or add replies to classmates. If it is already graded and you need to go back and make changes, please email your teacher or post a comment in the gradebook.
Note: You will not be able to view your classmates' posts until you create your own thread first.
2. Communicate Effectively
Please remember that all responses to classmates should be helpful and encouraging. Here are some examples of possible replies:
- I like how you provided....
- I like your wording in the second paragraph when you stated that.....
- I also considered that......
- Great job on .....
- I didn't get that answer but I can understand where you are coming from....
- Great job but I think you forgot about __________. No worries....that's something that's easy to leave out.
- After reading your post, I understand this question much better. I am going to go back and change my answer now. Thanks for your help!
- How did you get that answer? I did it differently but I would really like to see how you got your answer too.
- You were off to a great start! But you made one little error in.......I hope that helps you but if not, let me know. Maybe I can try again or someone else in the class can add to it.
All responses that are not helpful and encouraging will be deleted and the grade will be a zero. Remember, you are there "discuss" course topics so everyone will gain a deeper understanding, not to grade your classmates.
3. Use appropriate formatting.
There is an icon in the toolbar that will allow you to insert equations but unfortunately, it is limited to basic equations. This may be sufficient for some discussions.
4. Other random tips
- As a courtesy, you may want to reply to classmates' posts that have not been replied to yet. If you read it and you can't relate, move on but it's always great if everyone can get a reply from at least one classmate.
- Some of the discussions are lengthy. You may want to type your draft into a word processing document first so you can save your work. You cannot save your work within the discussion forum.
- Typing in all caps is considering YELLING.
- Some shortcuts (LOL, Haha, :), F2F, IDK, JK) may not be understood by classmates. This doesn't mean you can't use them if they add to the positive tone of your thread but use them carefully and not excessively. (Check with your teacher. Shortcuts may not be permitted at all.)
- Review your spelling and grammar before submitting. Although you are not graded on these things in most courses, it is considered a "best practice." After all, you are graded on your overall response and if your teacher is too distracted by your misspelled words and grammar to read it effectively, you may be asked to redo it for better understanding.
- NEVER, EVER, EVER steal text or images from the internet. It's perfectly fine to use them as support in your post but always provide credit to the author. You can do this by simply copying and pasting the web address and including it in your post.