Class Discussion Week 6

Please respond in a meaningful way to the following discussion question and to one of your classmates’ responses:

Some have argued that learning problems should not be thought of as problems within the child, but rather should be thought of as shortcomings of the childs educational environment. Proponents of this view point to the fact that diagnoses of learning disabilities are very uncommon among children who are home schooled, where presumably the learning environment is tailored to the individual child. Is it possible that learning disabilities are merely a function of the educational system? What impact does diagnosing a child with a learning disability have on their self-esteem? How are they seen by other children? Can diagnosing a child with a learning disability actually be detrimental to their further learning development?

(GRADING RUBRIC)

Each post will be evaluated with the following grading criteria (Both the Initial Reply and a Response will be graded):

Initial Reply to Posted Question

Excellent (5 pts): Demonstrates exceptional preparation: the post provides six to eight sentence answer that makes connections between readings, has thought through implications of them; and offers analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of reading material by helping to take the class further. It provides at least one citation to the assigned readings (either direct quotes or paraphrasing).

Good (4 pts): Demonstrates good preparation: the post provides a five-to-six-sentence answer that knows the readings well, has thought through implications of them; and offers interpretations and analysis of case material (more than just facts) to class. It provides at least one citation to the assigned readings (either direct quotes or paraphrasing).

Adequate (3 pts): Demonstrates adequate preparation; knows basic reading points but shows little evidence of trying to interpret or analyze them; and offers straightforward, often vague, information from the readings, without elaboration. It references the assigned readings, and may or may not include a direct quote, but is weak in overall connection to the work and ides presented in discussion.

Inadequate (1 pt): Demonstrates lack of preparation and motivation: seems as if student did not complete assigned readings; post contains little information from or reference to the readings and are entirely focused on contemporary ideas; and/or contains uncited material (either quotes or paraphrasing).

Failing (0 pts): No Submission

Reply to Classmates

Excellent (5 pts): Contributes in a very significant way to ongoing discussion: Keeps analysis focused and connected to readings and course material; responds and questions other students comments in a thoughtful manner; is not afraid to refute or rebut another students argument by using the readings as a basis for their analysis and argument; and responds to at least one student.

Good (4 pts): Demonstrates consistent ongoing involvement, beyond a simple I agree or I disagree; contributes well to discussion in an ongoing way: references readings, responds to other students points, explains own points; questions others in a constructive way; offers and supports suggestions that may be counter to the majority opinion; and responds to at least one student.

Adequate (3 pts): Contributes to discussion in vague manner, references readings without being specific; infrequently explains own points; makes broad and unspecific connections; frequently incorporates I agree or I disagree without elaborating on why.

Inadequate (1 pt): Demonstrates a lack of preparation and motivation; language is vague and inappropriate for classroom discussion; and/or failed to respond to at least one student.

Failing (0 pts): No Submission