It is anticipated that the initial discussion post should be in the range of 250-300 words. Response posts to peers have no minimum word requirement but must demonstrate topic knowledge and scholarly engagement with peers. Substantive content is imperative for all posts. All discussion prompt elements for the topic must be addressed. Please proofread your response carefully for grammar and spelling. Do not upload any attachments unless specified in the instructions. All posts should be supported by a minimum of one scholarly resource, ideally within the last 5 years. Journals and websites must be cited appropriately. Citations and references must adhere to APA format.
Classroom Participation
Students are expected to address the initial discussion question by Wednesday of each week. Participation in the discussion forum requires a minimum of three (3) substantive postings (this includes your initial post and posting to two peers) on three (3) different days. Substantive means that you add something new to the discussion supported with citation(s) and reference(s), you are not just agreeing. This is also a time to ask questions or offer information surrounding the topic addressed by your peers. Personal experience is appropriate for a substantive discussion, however, should be correlated to the literature.
All discussion boards will be evaluated utilizing rubric criterion inclusive of content, analysis, collaboration, writing and APA. If you fail to post an initial discussion or initial discussion is late, you will not receive points for content and analysis, you may however post to your peers for partial credit following the guidelines above.
Initial Response
Instructions:
Select one of the videos or websites as the focus your discussion post. Summarize your key takeaways from watching the video or reading the website. 
Please complete the following questions for your discussion post:
What ways did policy impact the situation?
How would you advocate for change as a social worker?
Are there similar issues occurring in your community? Provide examples.
HOW DOES THIS ISSUE IMPACT YOUR CLIENTS? 
Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.
The post and responses are valued at 25 points. Please review post and response expectations. Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets criteria.
Estimated time to complete: 2 hours
Peer Response
Instructions:
You are expected to actively participate in the forums each week. Responses to others must add substantively to the discussion by building upon classmates’ ideas or posing critical questions to further the discussion. For example, a posting of “I agree with what people are saying” is not sufficient. What is considered sufficient is initiating further discussion, promoting further thought, providing critical or integrative dialog providing effective support or encouragement, challenging by showing supporting literature or other documentation, and/or self-reflecting regarding the topic. You must respond to at least two other peers’ initial posts. 
Please read and respond to at least two of your peers’ initial postings. You may want to consider the following questions in your responses to your peers:
Compare and contrast your initial posting with those of your peers.  
How are they similar or how are they different?

What information can you add that would help support the responses of your peers?

Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post.
What most interests you about their responses?