If you read the comprehensive rubric you'll see that assessment of participation is based on four criteria. Do you:
Attendance
- punctually attend most all classes?
- It is reasonable to miss up to two classes a semester, but absences and tardiness beyond that are bound to hurt your performance. Even if your absence is excused, if you aren't present you are missing out.
- read the assignments fully with attention to detail?
- note relevant ideas, questions, or current events in class and online?
- For example, you might forward a news story to the class with a question for discussion.
- make at least one excellent contribution (e.g., insight or question) to each class without monopolizing discussion? (See Balance in Discussion.)
- give active nonverbal and verbal feedback?
- refer to other students by name and react to their contributions?
- fully engage in group exercises?
- follow up on open questions and share your findings with the class?
An excellent student satisfies all of these criteria. Also, participation is one of the most subjective activities to assess. Hence, you should ask yourself: am I consistently making a positive contribution and impression on the instructor and other students? That is, I do consider if your peers recognize you as an (a) insightful contributor or (b) someone that seems unprepared or monopolizing in discussions.
I make my assessments based on mid-semester and final evaluation forms.
