Participate in discussions with other learners

The Discussions tool is a collaboration area to post, read and reply to threads on different topics, share thoughts about course materials, ask questions, share files, or work with your peers on assignments and homework.

Create a discussion thread

To create a discussion thread

1. On the navbar, click Discussions.
2. Click the topic where you want to create a thread.
3. Click Start a New Thread.
4. Enter a subject.
5. Enter your post.
6. Set any of the following posting options:

1. • To keep the thread at the top of the list, select Pin Thread.
   • To post anonymously (if enabled), select Post as Anonymous.
   • To receive updates on the thread using your selected notification method, select Subscribe to this thread.
   • To attach a file, in the Attachments area, click Browse to locate the file that you want to attach.
   • To attach an audio recording, in the Attachments area, click Record Audio > Record. To make adjustments to your microphone selection and volume, click Flash Settings. To listen to your recording, click Play. To erase your recording, click Clear. If you have prerecorded audio and are using a supported browser, you can drag audio files onto the attachments upload target.
   • To attach a video recording, in the Attachments area, click Record Video > Allow > Record. When you finish recording, click Stop. To erase your recording, click Clear. To add the recording, click Add. If you have pre-recorded video and are using a supported browser, you can drag video files onto the attachments upload target.
   • To post your thread to more than one topic, click Post to other topics. Click Add Topics. Select the topics that you want your thread to appear in. To post in every topic simultaneously, select the Select All check box and then click Add Topics.

7. Click Post. If the topic is moderated, your post does not appear until a moderator approves it.

Reply to a discussion thread

1. On the navbar, click  Discussions.
2. Locate the thread you want to reply to.
3. Do either of the following:

1. •  To reply to the main thread post, click Reply to Thread.
   •  To reply to a particular post inside the thread, or click  Reply.

4. Enter your reply in the HTML Editor. To include the original post’s text in your reply, click the Add original post text link. (If this option is already enabled by your course administrator, this message will not display.)
5. Set any of the following options:

1. • To post anonymously (if enabled), select Post as Anonymous.
   • To receive updates on the thread using your selected notification method, select Subscribe to this thread.
   • To attach a file, in the Attachments area, click Browse to locate the file you want to attach.
   • To attach an audio recording, in the Attachments area, click Record Audio > Record. To make adjustments to your microphone selection and volume, click Flash Settings. To listen to your recording, click Play. To erase your recording, click Clear. If you have pre-recorded audio and are using a supported browser, you can drag audio files onto the attachments upload target.
   • To attach a video recording, in the Attachments area, click Record Video > Allow > Record. When you finish recording, click Stop. Click Clear to erase your recording or Add to add the recording. If you have pre-recorded video and are using a supported browser, you can drag video files onto the attachments upload target.

6. Click Post.

Change discussion settings

1. On the navbar, click  Discussions.
2. On the Discussions List page, click  Settings.
3. Do any of the following:

1. • To show topics in the View Topic and View Thread pages, select the Always show the Discussions List pane check box.
   • To hide topics in the View Topic and View Thread pages, clear the Always show the Discussions List pane check box.
   • To automatically include the original post when replying, select the Reply Settings check box.

4. Click Save.

Subscribe to a discussion

1. On the navbar, click  Discussions.
2. Do either of the following:

1. • On the Discussions List page, from the context menu of the forum or topic you want to receive notifications of new posts for, click  Subscribe.
   • On the View Topics page, beside the thread you want to receive notifications for, click Subscribe.

3. In the Customize Notifications pop-up window, select your Notification Method. If you do not have an email address set up in your user profile to receive notifications, in the Customize Notifications pop-up window, click the Add an email address in a new window link. Click the Enable email notifications link, then set your email preferences in the Email Settings pop-up window. Click Save.
4. Click Subscribe.

Unsubscribe from notifications

1. On the navbar, click  Discussions.
2. Do either of the following:

1. • From the context menu of the forum or topic you are subscribed to, click  Unsubscribe.
   • Beside a thread you are subscribed to, click  Subscribed.

3. In the confirmation pop-up window, click Yes.

Video:

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