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Selective responding
One of the factors you will be graded on at the University of Maryland University College is your participation in the courses you're taking. "Participation" means different things to different instructors, though. It's very important to diligently peruse the overall class information posted by your instructors so you know exactly what is expected of you long before the class actually starts. Most instructors clearly state exactly how many main posts and how many responses are due for each week of the semester. For those of you who are perfectionists, this is where some discipline will need to come into play, because you will need to staunch the urge to go above and beyond the basic requirements for the class. It is very easy to get dragged into deep conversations and on-going discussions in each classroom, but I'm telling you right now that if it's not required, you are wasting your time with each and every superfluous comment you post. Do what's required and that's it. Do NOT do any more. If you devote too much time to the discussion board, you will not have enough time to get the rest of your work completed. If the instructor says you need to post at least two main topics and respond to at least two other posts, then that is all you should do -- no matter how badly you're tempted to do more.©2008 Lorelei J. Logsdon. All rights reserved.