CGHS Student Resources (Canvas)

A blog is similar to a discussion forum, and uses the same tool in Canvas.  Blogs allow students to post work for others to read, but do not always require others to comment or respond.  An example of a blog would be students posting their final projects for other students to view.

• Blogs FAQ

In the world of online education, we have been searching for ways to generate intellectual interaction - both student-to-student and student-to-instructor - on topics related to our curriculum.  One of the key areas where we have attempted to generate this interaction is through the use of discussion boards in each of our courses.  Our expectation is that these discussions will serve to stimulate information gathering, information sharing, critical thinking, and the effective application of information in our individual professions.

One persistent challenge is that which rewards the proliferation and promotion of personal opinions and philosophies by so-called "experts" in the field.  Thus, it is imperative that we seek out and then apply practices that are founded not only in scientific principles but are also backed by empirical evidence. Therefore, the assignment portion of the discussion boards is not intended to be informal such that personal opinions are passed off as evidence-based practice. 

• Discussion Board FAQ

• How do I view the rubric for my graded discussion? 
• How do I subscribe to a discussion as a student?
• How do I view and sort discussion replies as a student?
• How do I change discussion settings to manually mark discussion replies as read as a student?
• How do I mark discussion replies as read or unread as a student?
• How do I reply to a discussion as a student?
• How do I attach a file to a discussion reply as a student?
• How do I embed an image in a discussion reply as a student?
• How do I link to a YouTube video in a discussion reply as a student?

Students are expected to maintain consistent and timely participation in each discussion.  Students are encouraged to post in the discussion boards throughout the availability of the discussion topic and to not wait until the deadline to contribute and complete the requirements. The initial posting for each discussion board is due by 11:59 PM (Mesa, AZ time) on Wednesday.  Required responses to discussion board postings are due by 11:59 PM (Mesa, AZ time) on Sunday.  Review your instructor's specific discussion board requirements.  Continual participation will build class interaction and learning.  Waiting until the last day to post limits the opportunity to engage and removes the interactive component of the discussion boards.  Although you are encouraged to post comments after the deadline, it is important to know that participation after the deadline will not be considered for grading purposes.

In order to promote the expected graduate level of scholarly thinking and discussion, it is important that we all strive to make quality contributions to the discussion.  For the purposes of student assessment, and in order to stimulate an overall scholarly environment, a quality post therefore represents the following:

1. Demonstrates that you have critically thought about the topic/concept.  Therefore, a quality post should include a thesis statement followed by an evidence-based discussion, and a conclusion.  Including a practical application, or note about how the topic pertains to you professional practice, is encouraged.
2. Provides evidence-based support for facts or statements made (i.e., includes one or more references to support or contest a given comment).  All peer-reviewed references must be cited properly.
3. Aligns with, or in conjunction with the current topic thread.  Expanding the discussion and sharing new ideas is encouraged, but the discussion must stay focused on the broad topic presented.
4. Reliance on the scientific methods.  Practical applications are encouraged, but generalizations should be kept to a minimum.
5. Reflects proper spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar usage.  If using uncommon acronyms or abbreviations these should be defined on the first usage.
6. Includes citations and references in APA format.

Things to Avoid

1. Simply adding your approval of a statement. If you agree with a statement, you may either let it be or attempt to further the comment by adding additional information. 
2. Repeating comments or threads from the discussion that have been previously posted.  In order to do this, you will need to read all portions of the discussion, rather than just simply posting your required contributions.  Failure to read most (preferably all) of the other students' posts will result in a loss of points.
3. Making statements without providing supportive evidence.  While statements of opinion and experience may, at times, be appropriate and interesting, you must provide evidence to support statements of fact.  Opinions from well-known, or not so well-known, people and/or organizations are not sufficient forms of evidence.  Therefore, literature searches should include studies founded not only  in scientific principles but are also backed by data, which are then brought into the discussion to support your statements.
4. Unprofessional conduct and language will not be tolerated.  While we encourage healthy debate and discussion, unprofessional conduct towards other students or the instructor is not acceptable.  Your grade on the discussion board and the course in general will be severely affected if you are guilty of such conduct.  As educated and civilized adults, we should seek to increase our perspectives and knowledge, even if we disagree with someone else.  After considering a statement you disagree with, provide a professional response, stating your disagreement along with evidence to support your thoughts.

Ask Your Instructor is a discussion forum where students can ask for clarification on expectations, assignments, discussions, or other course content.  Instructors are required to moderate this forum and answer any student questions. Students should use this forum when asking questions about general course content and grading policies; questions on individual grades and performance should be conducted via the Inbox.

The Coffee Shop is a place for you to interact with the other students in the course on a more personal level. At the beginning of every course you should post a brief introduction of yourself, why you are in the program, why you are in the course, and any other relevant information. The Coffee Shop is intended to be a social discussion.

The Coffee Shop is a location for students to build relationships, ask non-course-related questions, network, and help one another.  Assignments and course work should not be discussed in the Coffee Shop. If there are questions or concerns about assignments or course materials, these should be discussed in the module discussions or via the Inbox (Conversations). The Coffee Shop is not usually monitored by the instructor, but the instructor can choose to participate if he or she wishes..