DE Oracle @ UMUC

Sample Expectations for Online Conference Participation

Stella Porto

Program Director

Graduate School of Management and Technology

Published: 0 2004

Category: » Learning-objects

Take a look at the participation grading rubric , then, please note the extra rationale below for conference participation. Clarifying our expectations on participation is something really important, so we're able to build an interesting, useful, and rich discussion/conversation environment. If you have any questions/comments on these, please "speak up"!

For exercises/problems from the book

I don't like to see multiple similar responses to the same exercises. It makes no sense to go on an entire thread just to see that everyone got the same answer. It is boring and wastes everyone's time. However, there are many situations where there are a clear opportunities to contribute to a problem-solving thread:

1. If you did an exercise and you found something different from the colleague who has responded to that problem, then it makes sense to contribute.
2. If you found the same answer, but your rationale was different, or you used another method that you think is interesting, go ahead and add that.
3. If you tried working on the problem, and you had difficulties, don't wait: post your question!
4. If your colleague has answered the question, but you think it is rather incomplete or doesn't discuss the solving method (this kind of answer should be avoided), it is a great moment to add to this thread.
5. If you think there are follow-ups on the problem, again, this is a good opportunity to contribute.

For review questions

I don't like to see multiple similar responses to these questions, either. It makes no sense to go on an entire thread just to see many answers with the same content, just differing in a couple of words. Again, it is boring and wastes everyone's time. However, there are many situations in which there are clear opportunities to contribute to a review question thread:

1. You don't agree with the given answer. Post yours and discuss why you don't agree.
2. You think something is missing. Add your contribution and make clear what the addition to the previous answer you are making is.
3. You have a follow-up or you want to make an extra comment. Again, this is a good chance to add to the richness of the discussion.
4. You don't understand, although you don't have an answer. Post your questions and discuss why you don't understand, or what doesn't make sense.

For discussion questions

These usually are more open-ended questions where answers will naturally differ, but still I would like everyone to use their common sense so we don't end up having long threads that simply don't add much to the learning.

Some other important tips

• Questions are always welcome. They generate in-depth analysis and opportunities for further discussion and new questions, somewhat like a trigger.
• Use the title of posts: Use the title of messages to your benefit, pointing out the topic, or to whom you are directing the post.

If you have a question, you might as well put the word "Question" in your title, followed by the specific topic. This helps to call my attention to the question, and that of others, too. If you have something that needs to be answered urgently, put the word "Urgent" on the title. I try to come into the conferences every day, but not always do I have time to go through all the existing posts. This kind of label helps to get my attention.