Lucas Newby

Ms. Kelly Anthony

SU15-ENG101-W03

25 July 2015

Discussion Board Reflection

The Discussion Boards, both the weekly and the group discussions, were one of my favorite assignments. I actually looked forward to getting online every chance I could to see what my other classmates posted. It was a place I could express my thoughts and opinions on the materials we had covered each week. It gave opportunity to see how my thoughts compared to some of the other classmates, areas where many of us took from the reading much of the same, and other parts of the readings which some found something different impacting their thoughts, as each individual takes away something different. Whether writing my own original post, or as a response to one of my classmates, or a response they made to mine, the discussions would always bring out something another had liked, didn't like, possibly overlooked or hadn't put as much thought into in a particular part of the reading, and often opening new ideas for me to ponder. But two questions arise from this reflection: “Did these discussion assignments help in my learning?”, and “Did I do well enough?”

In assessing myself according to the Rubric I think I did pretty good, however before I break it down and go into a more detail evaluation, the one thing I must comment on is the criteria breakdown on what qualifies for A/B/C grade. I feel that the criteria for A/B graded should be split into separate criteria, B having a criteria not as stringent as A, but yet more stringent than C. This would make it much easier to honestly, adequately, and fairly evaluate the student.

Using myself as an example, under the criteria for Quality and frequency of writing:

A/B Responses are free of

grammatical, spelling or

punctuation errors.

The style of writing facilitates communication.

More than the minimum required responses have

occurred through the natural process of discussion.

C Responses are largely free of

grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

The style of writing generally facilitates

communication.

The minimum number of

responses have been posted

or more than the minimum

number of responses have

been posted but these

responses are clearly written

to meet the quantity required and

do not add to valuable discussion

In reviewing my posts, both weekly and in the group, I saw a couple of typos which I had overlooked, but nothing major, and usually not more than two. This happens to everyone, including professionals and teachers. (As a matter of fact, I was docked three points for typos in an email on July 10, which I have no problem admitting, I deserved; however, jokingly, I thought about calling Ms. A on a typo in one of the emails which was sent to me in response, as well as on a couple of lesson assignments and burning question replies where she had made errors and had not proofread before posting. Smiles. But, it is not my job to correct the instructor, even jokingly, whereas it is her job to correct me. My point is though, does that make her less professional?...in my opinion, no, it makes her human just like the rest of us, and mistakes will be made on occasion. Yet, and it does not eliminate the fact each need to proofread more closely. Regardless of the error, I still understood the sentence and what she was getting across. I wouldn't give hera C for the class because she made a couple of typos...there was too much other good stuff that outweighs that.)

I put a lot of thought and effort into my original posts. I think my grammar and punctuation greatly improved and was above average to good, though I'm still more than thankful for Spell Check. I met the quantity required, and though not on all discussions, I made more than required on a few, even if just a comment on how well written I thought it was, or how I related to their thoughts. I sincerely wish I had had more time to respond to more of them. I believe I have shown my understanding of materials and my responses were adequate, all using appropriate citations to substantiate my writing. Did I fulfill all the criteria of response by asking questions to stimulate more thought, or show a different opinion?... probably not as well as I could or should have, but I did give substantial feed back adding to the discussion, and also added personal experiences into some of my posts and responses. In the group discussion, I feel I offered valuable feed back and critique. However, according to the Rubric, because I didn't have everything exactly down pat for an A/B grade, then technically I would be required to have to accept a C grade, which I feel I did much better than that. NO, I did not master it, but still I did much better than mediocre(proficiency). Therefore, if the Rubric were set up differently, I would have given myself a B in that category.

As for self-evaluation, I will be breaking down by category as follows:

Demonstrates an understanding of the discussion question(s): A

Expands discussion concepts: B

Connections to personal understanding or professional practice B

Quality and frequency of writing C (B)

When evaluating for proficiency criteria pertaining to “What is a Good Response”, again, to me, it seems there in no in between the highest and mediocre. I know that I am not at the highest level, however, I am at a level more than mediocre, which the Rubric does not recognize. All responses were carefully thought out, citations were used, personal experience and opinion was added, and respectable critique when needed was all there.Here I would also give myself a B.

In conclusion to the question asked of myself, “Did I do well enough?”, my answer according to the Rubric is no. I would have to give myself a C. The answer according to me, would be not as well as I could have, but given the circumstances from which I entered into this class this summer, this being only my second semester, having only my GED and not having the high school English foundation to help support me, and never having taken an online course, I think I have done quite well, and that I am above average giving myself an overall grade of  B.

I gained a lot from the discussions on the Heart and Fist, “Workbench”, and our group discussion on the “This I believe” essay. I feel much more confident as I press onward on my journey, knowing which what I have learned, and with continued practice, I can and will continue to grow, eventually reaching the highest level of professionalism in my communications and writing. I am very grateful to have had this learning opportunity.