You can accumulate up to 30 points towards your final grade by making contributions to the class discussion forum using Blackboard. There are two types of contributions:

You can contribute a question. If I choose to post this question you will get two points. Considerations as to which questions will be choosen are:

• pertinence/relevance to the course and audience: e.g. questions that focus on local geoscience would have greater relevance for us, while a question on why we have tornadoes would not be pertinent to this particular geology course.
• originality: its needs to be different from questions previously posted or those found in your study guide materials.
• appropriate scope: e.g. why do we have climate change is to big of a question to handle in the forum.
• clarity: what is being asked needs to be clear.

You can answer/respond to a forum question and receive up to four points. These will be posted on the Blackboard site as forums that will be open for discussion for a week or two at a time. You will need to respond within that time. You can build on or counter a response that has been posted. Considerations in awarding points are:

• novelty: the response needs to be dissimilar to those already posted in the forum, contributing new information or thought to the forum. This means it pays to get your thoughts in early.
• pertinence: you need to address the question and not tangential or unrelated aspects (although the latter could lead to contributing a question).
• background research: your contribution should show evidence of some investigation into relevant literature. You need to cite your sources. One can be your text. The web is an easy source of other information, but remember the nature of the quality of information on the web.
• clarity of expression: as it says.
• bonus points will be given for true constructive originality.

If you have any questions or want any feedback about this don't hesitate to contact me.