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:

Discussion question 1: Welcome to the mid-point in our class. Please share three things which have been beneficial to your learning and three areas for improvement. Please also provide an update on your policy advocacy project.  Also, please be sure to share any questions you have for our instructor. Your response should be at least 400 words.  No responses are needed to your classmates.

Discussion question 2: Conduct an Internet search or reflect on your own personal experiences in accessing childcare. Take good notes and answer the following questions:

What are some of the ways parents are advocating for changes in childcare policy (interest groups, lobbying efforts, etc.)?

How do childcare workers or those who run childcare facilities advocate for changes in childcare policy (interest groups, lobbying efforts, etc.)?

Are these groups advocating for the same changes, or do they have different priorities?

How can social workers encourage the groups to work toward common goals, and work together with them?

Are there other important stakeholders who should be part of this process?

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?

1. Ask your peers a question for clarification about their post.

What most interests you about their responses?