Graduate Programs Discussion Boards
Discussion Boards (DB) are a key component of online learning. They foster active participation of learners and dialog with fellow learners and instructors. Graduate-level courses require learners to create original posts to course DBs and to engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the course. Original posts and responses should be substantive, and if references are made to the works of others, APA guidelines for in-text citations and references apply.
Minimum Weekly DB Expectations
- Post an original and thoughtful Main Post to the DB prompt.
- Respond to at least 2 other posts from learners and/or the instructor (Response Posts).
- The first contribution (Main Post or Response Post) must be posted before midnight (Central time) on Friday of each week.
- Two additional responses are required after Friday of each week.
- For DB assignment prompts with a Part One and Part Two, Part One should be addressed in the first week of the unit with a Main Post and minimum of 2 Response Posts, and Part Two should be addressed in the second week of the unit with a Main Post and a minimum of 2 Response Posts.
More on DBs
At the end of each unit, DB participation is assessed based on level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion. DBs allow learners to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB are accepted after the end of the unit. Learners must demonstrate an appropriate depth of understanding of course content to receive credit for having submitted substantive posts. Typically, this is achieved with 4-6 strong paragraphs for Main Posts and 23 strong paragraphs for Response Posts.
Discussion Board Question Details
Part 1
Suppose that you have recently accepted a new administrative role in either a corporate or educational setting. Your new employer has requested that you select a leadership theory to use as a foundation for your role as a senior administrator. Focus your discussion on the following:
- What leadership theory would you select and why? Discuss why the leadership theory you selected would be a good match for you and your new role within this organization or institution.
- How does your approach differ from that of your classmates? How could that be important in an organization with varied underlying theories?
- Are there ethical implications for the organization in which theories are selected or predominate? How do leadership theories interact with ethical considerations in an educational or corporate training setting?
- What might happen? As a leader, what can you do about it? Exchange your ideas on this.
Part 2
Suppose you have recently accepted a new administrative role in either a corporate or educational setting. Imagine that the previous leader who was in this administrative role before you was a Great Man (according to the Great Man theory of leadership). Based on the leadership theory you selected in Part 1, participate in a dialogue on ways that your leadership theory and approach might be different from the previous person in this role. Focus your discussion on the following:
- How would you retrain members of your organization to respond to issues according to your preferred approach?
- If training were not the answer, what actions might help affect the organizational change?
- How does your approach differ from that of your classmates? What do you see in common?
In your own words, post a substantive response to the Discussion Board question(s) and comment on other postings. Your response should address the DB question(s) and move the conversation forward. You will be graded on the quality of your postings, including mastery of the concept as well as critical thinking. If asked for your opinion, do not simply state that it is a good or bad idea; elaborate on your reasons and argument. Include enough detail to substantiate your thinking as well as your position on the questions or comments.
Your assignment will be graded in accordance with the following criteria. Click to view the grading rubric.