Threaded Discussions (rubric)

I enjoyed Edelstein and Edwards article on threaded discussions. Specifically the need for a robust rubric for instructors to use that is also "facilitator" friendly. The authors give examples of two different rubrics and then "test" the second rubric using examples of three different students responses. Intially, I thought that the rubric was robust, but had the potential to not be facilitator friendly. How much time can an instructor devote to each thread of each discussion for each student? Upon review of the student "c"'s response I was amazed that the studen recieved any points at all. Yes the student did respond, and did participate, but did he collaborate or even contribute? Perhaps future rubrics need to put more emphasis on not just participation, but active participation. Participation that shows evidence of growth or learning in the individual or the group as a whole. Sed Keller