Using Discussion Forums
The Discussion Board enables students to engage in discussions and online
writing with classmates.
|
Step 1: |
Go to the Communication or Discussion
Board navigation button. |
|
Step 2: |
In Communication, select Discussion
Board. The Discussion Board button will list all
forums. |
|
Step 3: |
Select the forum. |
|
To read a message in a thread: |
Select the thread that you want to read by clicking on the subject
line. The message will open so that you can read it. |
|
To reply to a message in a thread: |
Click on the REPLY button on the right to reply to a message. A box
will open in which you can type your message. |
|
To create a thread: |
You may select New Thread to begin a new topic, if your
instructor has allowed that option. You can format the text of your
message using the word processing tools available. Click SUBMIT to
post your mesage. |
Figure 1. Forums in the Discussion Board. Click on the one you want to
read.
Figure 2. Detail of open forum called “Yes to everything!”
Moderation Queue
If your instructor has set up the forum to be moderated, you will see a
message that your posting has been added to the MODERATION QUEUE. The teacher
will read all the messages and either PUBLISH or RETURN them. If your posting is
returned, you will receive it by email.
Search within a forum
|
Step 1: |
Select Tree View at the upper right. |
|
Step 2: |
Click the Search link in the upper right
hand corner, just below the View buttons. |
|
Step 3: |
Type your search words into the SEARCH box. Select
other search criteria and click the Search button. |
|
Step 4: |
The search results will be displayed with the
Keyword field bolded. |
Figure 3. List view and Search
Forum Options
Subscribe to a Thread
You can subscribe to a thread. This will notify you by email when someone
makes a new posting. It helps you to stay current with the discussion.
Click on the SUBSCRIBE button above the thread list.
Rate and Flag a Thread
Indicate your rating for a posting by rating it. You can give it 0 or up to 5
stars by opening the pull down menu. Ratings by all students are averaged to
show the total “star power.”
Rate the posting for its usefulness to you as a reader of the thread. Rate it
highly if you learned from it or if it made you think about the topic. FLAG the
posting so that you can find it again.
Collect a Thread
The COLLECT button allows you to collect postings you select all on one page.
These are easier to read and to print. Check the boxes to the left of the
postings you wish to collect.
Figure 4. Forum options
Quick Reference Guide
BlackBoard URL
Faculty Resources
- Faculty information: http://flightline.highline.edu/blackboard
- For assistance with student accounts, contact the ICC Help Desk.
- For assistance with building courses and using BlackBoard features, contact Instructional Design at id@highline.edu.
Student Resources
- Password and technical support information (http://flightline.highline.edu/ic/ichelp.php)
- Account and other problems: ICC Help Desk at icchelp@highline.edu, 206-870-4880
