• Forums are used to house discussion topics that are similar. For example, there might be several discussions in the first week of the course, so create a forum titled “Week One Discussions” for them.
• Topics are where the discussion actually takes place. This is where students can post threads in response to a discussion prompt.
• Threads are the initial comments added to a discussion topic.
• Replies are responses posted to a specific discussion thread.

Setting up a discussion is a two-step process: first create a forum that can hold one or more discussion topics, then create discussion topics within that forum.

Note: To add a link to a Discussion Forum or Topic to a module in Content, follow the directions to Add Links to Other Parts of the Course Site. (link needed)

Create a Discussion Forum

1. Select Discussions in the course navigation bar.
2. Select New.
3. Select New Forum from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter a title [A].
5. (Optional) Enter a description [B].
6. Select Save and Close [C].
   

   

Create a Discussion Topic

1. Select New.
2. Select New Topic from the dropdown menu.
3. Select a forum from the Forums dropdown menu (or select the New Forum to create a new forum.)
4. Choose a Topic Type [A]:
   • Open topic: Everyone can access the topic and contents.
   • Group or section topic: Everyone can access the topic, but students only see threads from their group or section (course must have groups set up (link needed) before setting up group- or section-based topics).
5. Enter a title [B].
6. (Optional) Enter a description [C].
   

   

7. (Optional) Select options [A] for the topic:
   • Allow anonymous posts: Select this option to allow students to anonymously post to this topic (not recommended).
   • A moderator must approve individual posts before they display in the topic: Select this option to approve posts before students are able to view them (or to have a TA review and approve them.)
   • Users must start a thread before they can read and reply to other threads: Select this option to force students to post to the topic before they can read and reply to other posts (recommended).
8. (Optional) Select option for Rate Posts [B]. The default is No Ratings.
9. Select the Save and Close [C] button.
   

   

NEXT STEPS

Add restrictions to a discussion by making it available during specific dates or restricting it to groups of students. View Setting Dates for Discussions for more information.

Post ​the first thread to a discussion topic and require students to begin adding threads and replies to it. View Participating in Discussions for more information.