Home << Current Students << Distance Learning

How to use the Discussion Board

Where is the Discussion Board?

You can find the Discussion Board in one of two places in your Blackboard course. Most commonly, there will be a link in the course menu that goes directly to the Discussion Board. Otherwise, if you click on and enter the Communications section, there will be a link to the Discussion Board there.

How do I post to the Discussion Board?

The Discussion board is made up of Forums and Threads. Forums can only be created by instructors. They contain the messages and replies, which are called Threads.

To post to the Discussion Board:

1. Click on a Forum title to enter the forum.
   
   If the forum has been replied to, the following page will contain a list of threads. Replies to each thread are indented relative to the original. Unread messages are shown in red with a 'New' icon, previously read messages are grey, and the last read message is shown in blue. The author's name and the date it was posted are also included.
   
2. Click on the title of a thread to read it.
3. If you would like to reply to the thread, click the reply button. Instructions for authoring threads and replies are below.
4. If you would like to read the next message, click on the "Next Message" link above or below the message.
5. If you would like to read the previous message, click on the "Previous Message" link above or below the message.

To post a new thread or reply:

1. If you are starting a new thread in reply to the original forum, click the Add New Thread button. OR If you are replying to another thread, click the reply button.
2. On the Create New Message page, enter your Subject and Message.
3. If necessary, you may be able to attach files to your thread. This ability depends on whether the instructor allows it.
4. To preview your message, click the Preview button located in the Message box.
5. To submit your message, click the Submit button.

You may also be able to modify or remove your postings. This ability depends on whether the instructor allows it. Please note that if you remove a posting, it cannot be restored.

Extra navigation tools

If the Discussion Board for your course is very active, there are some tools you can use to help you navigate. They are grouped at the right hand side of the screen.

• Select the plus symbol next to "Expand All" to display all threads and their replies.
• Select the minus symbol next to "Collapse All" to display the original threads without replies.
• Select the question mark next to "Search" to search the current forum threads. Search options include:
  • search by Subject title, Subject and Message, or All
  • search by specific user or all users
  • search by keyword
  • sort results by author, subject, and/or date
  • 1 - Max thread results per page.
  • Expand or collapse threads in search results
• Click the "Show Options" tab to display a checkbox next to each message and further navigation options:
  
  
  • Select All - selects every thread within the discussion forum
  • Unselect - deselects every thread within the discussion forum
  • Invert - transposes selected and deselected messages
  • Read - marks selected messages as read
  • Unread - marks selected messages as unread (brings back the 'New" symbol)
  • Collect - allows reading of multiple messages on the same screen. Click the checkbox beside all the messages you want to read and then click on "Collect"