How do I set up and grade Discussions with multiple due dates?

The graded Discussion Checkpoints feature enables instructors to support different stages of a discussion, such as initial posts and follow-up replies — setting different due dates and points for each stage. Beyond the initial response to a discussion prompt, instructors can require additional replies to peers and set a different due date for those responses. This feature is intended to allow for more structured participation in bCourses Discussions, ensuring students meet deadlines for each required step in the discussion.

Set up Discussion Checkpoints 

1. Create a new Discussion assignment or go to edit an existing Discussion assignment.
2. Under the Discussion Options, check the box for "Graded," and then check the box for "Assign graded checkpoints."
3. In the Checkpoint Settings section, enter the responses and points configuration for the Discussion:
   1. Possible points for the initial reply to the topic: How many points a student’s original response to the Discussion prompt is worth. To meet this checkpoint requirement, students must reply to the Discussion prompt at the top level.
   2. Number of additional replies required: How many discussion posts a student must respond to within the Discussion. To meet this checkpoint requirement, students must make threaded responses to other posts in the Discussion.
   3. Total possible points for additional replies: How many points are possible for the additional replies (i.e., if a student must respond to 2 peers and each response will be worth 5 points, then you would enter "10" here).
   4. All points will be calculated automatically and listed as the Total Points Possible for the Discussion assignment.
4. In the Assignment Settings section, set the due dates for the Discussion assignment. You can set one due date for the initial response to the Discussion prompt and one due date for all the additional responses. You cannot set separate due dates for each of the additional responses. 
5. Select Save or Save and Publish at the bottom of the page. 

If you add the Discussion assignment to a Module, students will see both the assignment and due date for the initial reply, as well as the due date and number of required responses for the additional replies. Note: Instructors will not see this in their Module view. 

Grade Discussion Checkpoints 

You can use SpeedGrader to grade Discussion Checkpoints, just like other assignments in bCourses. When you select a student in SpeedGrader, it will show all the student’s posts and responses for the Discussion assignment. All posts made by the student are shown in SpeedGrader in chronological order, and you can navigate between responses using the "Previous Reply" and "Next Reply" buttons. 

Enter the grade for the initial "Reply to Topic” response (first Checkpoint) and the "Required Replies" (additional Checkpoints) in the grading boxes in the right-side panel. The total grade will automatically be calculated as "Current Total," and this is the grade that will display in the Gradebook. At this time, you do not have the option to grade each of the required replies individually — they must be combined into one grade for all the "Required Replies."

Grading statuses like "Late" and "Missing" will automatically apply to Checkpoints letting instructors know if the Checkpoint submission requirements were met. Each Checkpoint has its own status — for example, the first Checkpoint could be "Late," while the second checkpoint could be "Excused." You can leave submission comments on the overall Discussion Assignment (but not for each Checkpoint). 

In the Gradebook, Discussion Checkpoints display as a single item. You can update a student's grades and assignment status using the Grade Detail tray (right panel) or the Speedgrader. Note: You cannot override the total score for the grade in the grading column — you must open the Grade Detail tray or Speedgrader to change one of the individual Checkpoint grades.

Discussion Checkpoints FAQ

Can I set different due dates for the required responses?
You cannot set separate due dates for each of the additional responses. You can only set one due date for all the additional responses that you require as part of the Discussion Checkpoints (i.e., all peer responses must have the same due date). 

Can I set "Additional Replies" to be only in response to another peer vs. students responding to themselves?
"Additional Replies" are counted in response to any user, including if students respond to their own post. You can determine what credit students receive for the posts in SpeedGrader if you prefer that students do not respond to their own posts. 

Can I use a rubric to grade the Discussion Checkpoints?
Yes, you can associate a rubric with the Discussion Assignment and use the rubric while grading in SpeedGrader. However, you cannot use multiple rubrics to grade different Checkpoint responses within the Discussion. 

How do Discussion Checkpoints show in Modules?
Instructors will only see one item in the module for Checkpoint Discussions. However, students will see a more detailed view for checkpointed discussions. At this time, Discussion Checkpoints must all be in the same Module together (i.e., you cannot split initial responses and required replies across multiple Modules). 

How do Discussion Checkpoints show up in the To-Do List and Calendar for students?
Students will see a to-do list item for each checkpoint, ensuring they understand when each element of the discussion is due, along with points possible for that checkpoint. Each checkpoint will show as its own calendar event. 

Why can’t I manually enter a grade for the Discussion in the Gradebook? 
You cannot override the total grade for Discussion Checkpoints assignments in the grading column in the Gradebook like you can with other assignments. Instead, you must open the Grade Detail tray (click the arrow next to the individual grade) or Speedgrader to change one of the Checkpoint grades.