When posting an original discussion thread, please keep these criteria in mind.

Criteria	Description
Relevance	Posted messages respond directly to the questions or directions specified in the assignment section.
Understanding	It is clearly evident from the posted messages that the participant read and understood the ideas expressed in the assigned reading selections.
Examples	Multiple examples are used or specific ideas are stated in posted messages.
Quality	Comments have professional depth and quality.

When replying to a discussion thread, please keep these criteria in mind.

Criteria	Description
Relevance	Posted response is specific to the concepts discussed in the original message.
Extend the Discussion	Response extends the discussion by introducing a new idea or adding to the idea introduced in the original message.
Tone	Response is positive and professional.

Here are five quick ideas to help strengthen our discussion.

When introducing a new thought/concept/introduction, be sure to start by clicking "Add New Thread." The subject line is important. When starting a new thread, make sure to create a subject line that both clues in the reader and catches the eye of your audience. When replying to a note, leave the "re:" portion of the subject line, but feel free to edit the subject line to express how you are extending the conversation. This way everyone can get a quick glance at the direction of the conversation within a thread without actually opening each posting. Feel free to reply to more people than required in the assignments. As experienced online learners know, the goal is to advance the knowledge of the group and this comes from active conversation. Post early and post often!

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