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Discussions: Participate in online discussions

Participate in online discussions

Engage in an online discussion around course topics!

The Discussions tool is a collaboration area with a variety of uses in a course:

  • initiate and contribute to discussions on course-related topics
  • ask questions of your instructor and peers
  • collaborate on assignments and homework in a safe environment, where appropriate

The Discussions Hierarchy

Level Description
Forum Organize discussions into broader groups. Most courses only need one main forum. In order to have any discussions happen, a forum must be created by the Instructor (or someone like a TA).
Topic Group discussions into sub-groups under a forum. For example, if the students are expected to post on a weekly discussion concept, a 'Week 1' "topic" would be appropriate here. In order to have any discussions happen, a topic must be created by the Instructor (or someone like a TA).
Discussion thread This is the real meat of the Discussions tool. The actual discussions that are comprised of the initial post and all replies to that post. Instructors, TAs and students can create and respond to discussion threads.

Find Discussions in the top menu, under Communication.

Post a discussion thread

1. Click Communication > Discussions from the navbar.

Post a discussion thread

2. Click on the name of the topic that will house your thread.

Post a discussion thread

3. If you want to create a new thread, click Start a New Thread. If you would like to post a reply to an existing thread, click the name of the thread that has already been started.

Post a discussion thread

4. Write your message (don’t forget to add a subject if it’s a new thread) and click Post for your thread to go live.

Post a discussion thread

Found a discussion that you want to continue?

It's important to reply to existing posts in order to continue a discussion, instead of starting a new post of your own.

  • Make sure you are reading the full post (click on the blue title to expand the full message), then click the "Reply" button.
Post a discussion thread
  • Compose your response, and click "Post".