The other aspect of "more than hoop jumps" and "both sides of their mouth" is MANY students get the "real" message. If their grade for a weekly discussion (asynchronous) depends on one main post and two replies to other students' posts, then MOST students will do just that and no more. When we set a "minimum" we must not blame the student for "doing the minimum" ... that is our standard and they meet the standard. We say we want "engagement" and "rigor", but that "minimum" is the REAL message to the student.
What a joy to have a student go BEYOND the minimum because they are REALLY into the topic ... and then the teacher also learns from the student ... it is a very satisfying experience.
