.
When the discussion forum opens you will see a list of all the topics posted.How to use the discussion forum
Click on the Discussion
Forum icon present on the course Homepage or click on the link in the Course
Menu.
When the discussion forum opens you will see a list of all the topics posted.
---- Discussion page ----
This is what you'll see ŕ
On the first line:
Is the title of the discussion page and displays the folder name of the current
page. 
On the second line:
Buttons for compose a message, search, and message settings. 
Compose message
You will not use this option in the regular class discussions. Your instructor will use this command to post the discussion threads and to make announcements. This command may be used in certain topics as directed by your instructor.
Search
Clicking this option allows you to look for previous messages using a number of different criteria such as: Subject, recipient, date, or to use a content search.
Topic settings
Is used to personalize the display of the Discussion page.
To access the topic you want, click on its title.
---- Topic page ----
This is what you'll see ŕ
On the first Topic line: The name of the Discussion Message appears
(Each of the main Topics are also called Threads.)
On the second Topic
line: The status of the thread 
The status of the topic can be locked (only the instructor can post messages to this thread) or unlocked (any one in the course may add new threads to this topic or add messages to any of the following threads or messages).
On the third Topic line: Buttons for compose a message, update listing, search, and mark all the messages as read. It also tells you that you have some additional options at the bottom of the page.
Compose message
You will not use this option in the regular class discussions. Your instructor will use this command to post the discussion threads and to make announcements. This command may be used in certain topics as directed by your instructor.
Update listing
Clicking this option allows you to update the forum and allows you to see your message without going back to the main discussion page. If you don't click on "Update listing" you will not see your message after you post it.
Search
Clicking this option allows you to look for previous messages using a number of different criteria such as: Subject, recipient, date, or to use a content search.
Mark all as read
This allows you to mark all the messages as read at one time. Using this function will reduce screen clutter [however this will be done automatically as you READ the messages if you have toggled unread]. That is the preferred way to reduce screen clutter.
Message options: Indicates that there are more options at the bottom of the page.
On the fourth Topic line: Buttons for Display – All / Unread, Threaded / Unthreaded, Select topic:
Display: All or Unread
This function is a toggle and allows you to reduce screen clutter by hiding the messages you have read. To display all messages, click on "All". When this function is active, there is a gray box around the words "Unread". If you click on the word "Unread" only the messages you have not read will be visible and a gray box will be around the words "All". You can click back and forth and the unread messages will be displayed or will be hidden. Messages are never lost. The instructor can make messages disappear forever, you cannot.
Threaded and Unthreaded
This function is also a toggled display. The Threaded display lists the messages under the separate topics. Unthreaded list the messages in one long list. You can click back and forth on these buttons and see the different displays.
Select Topic
The last function allows you to access another
topic without going back to the main discussion board. To change topics, click
on the down arrow
to
the left of the word "Go". This will bring a drop down menu that lists all the
topics available. Click on the one you want [it will turn blue] and then click
"Go".
On the fifth Topic line: You will see the words Status, Subject, Author, and Date.
Status
Icons are used to represent the status of the individual messages.
Subject, Author, Date
The Subject, the Author, and the Date of the individual messages are listed.
On the sixth Topic line: This line and the lines that follow it display the messages and the replies along with the name of the authors and the date and time each message was sent. You can also see if you have read the message.
Green arrows
If the arrow tip points to the right
that
means that the thread is collapsed and you need to click on it to view the
follow-on messages. If the arrow tip is pointing down
that
means that the thread list is expanded and all the unread messages will be
visible. If the "All" from the third line is selected all of the messages under
the main thread will be visible.
The numbers 5/9
The first number represents the number of unread follow-on messages listed under the main thread. The second number represents the total number of follow-on messages listed under the main thread.
A box
Next you will find a box. Clicking in the box causes a checkmark to appear in the box and marks the message. You can then use the compile option or to change the message status from read or unread.
A magnifying glass
Next is a box with a magnifying glass. Clicking on it allows you to see the view all of the messages for that topic.
An envelope
An open envelope 
means
the message was read and a closed envelope 
means
the message has not been read.
A paperclip
A paperclip indicates that the message has at least one attachment.
On the next to last Topic line: Is the Actions direction line
The
double box indicates that you can checkmark more than one of the messages from
the message list.
On the last Topic line: Buttons for Compile, Mark as read, and Mark as unread:
Compile
You can Compile one or more messages and this feature will remove some of the blank lines and open areas of the messages (white space). Normally you can print one message at a time and each message will take one printed page. Using Compile with more than one message will enable the messages to be read as one screen or printed as one page.
Mark as read
You can "Mark as read" messages that you have
not read so that they will not be displayed the next time you view the thread.
The Display toggle must be set to "Unread"
for
the messages to be hidden.
Mark as unread
You can "Mark as unread" messages that you have
viewed/read but you want to read again at a later time. Messages that are
listed as unread appear in bold type when the Display toggle is set to "All"
and
are the only messages listed when the Display toggle is set to "Unread".
---- Message page ----
This is what you'll see when you view an individual message ŕ
On message line one: The subject of the message is displayed.
On message line two:
The message number is displayed. 
Knowing the message number is useful if you have to tell me that you posted a message for an assignment. I can select the Unthreaded list and find your message.
On message line three: The name of the message author is displayed.
On message line four: The date and time the message was created is displayed.
Starting on message line five: The contents of the message are displayed.
On message line six:
If the message has an attachment a notice is displayed to view the attachment. 
Clicking
on the notice will take you to the Attachments page. On the Attachments page
you can click on the file name to open the attachment or you can click on the
round 
button
and then click on the Download button to save the attached file to your computer
(virus check any downloaded attachments).
On the next to last
message line: Button for Reply,
Reply privately, Quote, Download, and Close. 
(Reply
and Quote are not useable if the thread is locked. Reply privately is not
visible if the thread is locked.)
Reply
Reply takes you to the Compose message page with the Subject line already filled in with "RE:" and the subject of the message that you are replying to.
Reply message line one:
Is the title to let you know that you are on the Reply message page. 
Reply message line two: Is the title of the Topic.
Reply message line three:
Is the "Subject:" 
text
box. The subject is already filled in but you can erase the current subject and
type a brief statement about the content of your message.
Reply message line four:
Is the "Message:" 
text
box. Type your complete message in the large white space. (You can use the
Cut and Paste method to paste your message from a word processing document to
the Message text box.)
Do not type your message in all capital letters. It is equivalent to shouting or screaming and is considered VERY RUDE. Also be aware that nonverbal cues are absent in messages. Be aware that attempts at humor using sarcasm on your part may be misinterpreted. And always type your name at the end of the message.
It is unethical to copy and forward information from discussion topics to others outside the class. It is also inappropriate to talk about things discussed by classmates in the discussion forum or e-mails that may be of a personal nature.
Reply message line five:
Is the button to change the text editor from a text box to a simple web page
editor with limited features. The HTML editor 
is
a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editor that can create simple web page
messages.
Reply message line six: Is the link to attach files to the message.
If you know the exact location and name of the file to attach to the message you can type in the location and file name or click on "Browse" to find the file on your storage device. Using Browse is recommended. Follow the "Look In:" path to the location where the file is stored. Double clicking on the name of the file will put it in the filename box. Typing in the file name may result in errors.
After the file location and name are in the "Attachments:" text box click on the "Attach file" button. If you need to attach more than one file, continue this process until all files have been attached.
Reply message line seven: Is a notice about files attached to the message. 
Reply message line eight:
Buttons for Post, Preview, and Cancel. 
Post
The Post button will add the message to the Topic list.
Preview
Use the Preview button to check the messages before sending it and make any necessary corrections. When you are satisfied with your message’s contents, click the Post button.
Cancel
The Cancel button will cancel the creation of the message.
Reply privately
Reply privately takes you to the Compose message page with the Subject line already filled in with "RE:" and the subject of the message that you are replying to. The Message: text box also has the message number, the date, the author, and the original message. You add your comments before sending the message back to the original author.
Quote
Quote takes you to the Compose message page with the Subject line already filled in with "RE:" and the subject of the message that you are replying to. The Message: text box also has the message number, the date, the author, and the original message. You add your comments before sending the message back to the original author.
Download
Download opens a file download window so that you can open the message, or save the message to your computer, or cancel the download.
Close
The currently opened message will be closed.
On the last message line: Previous and Next icons
The blue pushpin with the
left pointing arrow surrounded by a box
indicates
there are more topics/threads before the current one. If the pushpin with the
left pointing arrow is black and white with no surrounding box
indicates
there are no more topics/threads before the current one (you are at the first
topic/thread).
The yellow envelope with
the left pointing arrow surrounded by a box
indicates
there are more follow-on messages before the current one. If the envelope with
the left pointing arrow is black and white with no surrounding box
indicates
there are no more follow-on messages before the current one (you are at the
first follow-on message of this topic/thread).
The yellow envelope with
the right pointing arrow surrounded by a box
indicates
there are more follow-on messages after the current one. If the envelope with
the right pointing arrow is black and white with no surrounding box
indicates
there are no more follow-on messages after the current one (you are at the
last follow-on message of this topic/thread).
The blue pushpin with the
right pointing arrow surrounded by a box
indicates
there are more topics/threads after the current one. If the pushpin with the
right pointing arrow is black and white with no surrounding box
indicates
there are no more topics/threads after the current one (you are at the last
topic/thread).
Replying and Posting:
At the end of the message you will see a Reply button. Use this button when you have a comment to make. After typing your comment, use the Preview button to proof read what you have written. This way you can make corrections before you post your reply. When you are satisfied with what you have written, click the Post button. You will not see your reply unless you either exit the discussion forum and come back in or click the Update listing button on line 3.
When you post a thread you normally 'Reply' to the message. For example if there was a thread called "Module 6". Don't |Compose message| from the 'Module 6' main thread.
The sequence should be:
Click on |Update listing| to see your message.
After you are done the thread should look like:
Module 6
V "Reply to this message to add your Module 6 answers"
My answers to 6 Lynn Masterson
My Module 6 answers Jill Espinosa
My answers to 6 Bill Smith
My 6 answers Brenda Jones
Charlie Daniels 6
NOT
Module 6
V "Reply to this message to add your Module 6 answers"
My answers to 6 Lynn Masterson
My Module 6 answers Jill Espinosa
My 6 answers Brenda Jones
Charlie Daniels 6
> My answers to 6 Bill Smith
Most of the WebCT commands and icons make sense as hints after a while. If you are confused or need more information you can click on help and information about the page you are on will be available. If you still need more help you can also call or email your instructor.
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