Using Blackboard-Discussion Board

How to Participate in the Class Discussion Board

Your instructor may have set up a discussion board for use in your class. There are several ways an instructor might use the discussion board and your participation is probably factored into the overall grading scheme. A discussion begins with a Forum which might be tied to a specific chapter or lesson, an overall topic, or a general area. Most likely you will not be asked to create a new forum - this will be set up by the instructor.

Within a Forum a discussion contains threads (the main ideas) and replies (responses to threads). Its very important to pay attention when you are posting your ideas to make sure they are placed in the appropriate place.

How to Open a Forum:

Click on the Forum you wish to enter.

How to Add a New Thread:

If your instructor has set up your discussion board to allow new threads you can click on the Add New Thread button and create a new thought to the forum.

In the Subject field type in the subject for your new post. This should be short and concise and sum up your thought. In the Message field type in your message. Click on the Previewbutton to see what it will look like once its posted. If you need to make changes, click on the Back button on your browser. To post the thread, click on the Submit button.

How to Open a Thread:

Click on the thread you'd like to open. Threads are generally aligned to the outermost left.

How to Reply to a Thread:

Click on the Thread that you'd like to respond to and then click on the Reply button.

You will see that since this is a reply the subject field is already completed for you. In the Message field, type your response. Click on the Preview to see what it will look like. Click on the Back button on your browser if on you need to make changes. Click on the Submit button to submit it.

Options

• Expand and Collaspe Threads

  Threads can be expanded and collapsed to see or hide replies by either clicking on the graphic that looks like a plug or minus sign or by clicking on the Expand All or Collaspe All link in the upper right.


• Change the Read/Unread Viewing Option

  You can switch between viewing all message or just your unread messages by clicking on the View Unread Messages link or its inverse of View All Messages link found in the upper left


• Change the sorting options

  You can change the way the discussion board sorts by clicking on the headings: author, subject, date or default threaded view by selecting one of these choices in the pull-down menu on the lower left.


• Search for a Message

  If you need to search for a sepecific message there are several search options. Click on the Search link at the upper right. You can search for keywords or by author in the subject, or subject and body.


• Show/Hide Options

  There are other options available if you click on the Show/Hide Options link in the upper right. You can select, unselect, or inverse your selected messages. Once you have made a selection you can mark messages as read or unread or you can collect messages so that they appear as a continuous message on your computer screen. This is a great way to review an entire conversation.