TOPIC 12:  USING THE DISCUSSION FORUM

Participating in online discussions is an important part of many online classes.  For example, in a psychology class there is a great deal that each student can learn from each other about human behavior because of all the different experiences each student has had during their lives.  Everyone’s opinion is important and through the discussion forum you have the opportunity to express it.  Participation in the discussion forum can earn a student points in some classes.  The online discussion tool simulates traditional classroom discussions.  In many respects it is an even better environment for many students.  In an online discussion forum:

• You don't have to worry about being interrupted.
• You can take as long as you want to come up with a reply.
• You can participate at any time of day or night.
• You have time to consult references/sources to emphasize your point/position [i.e. prove you are right].
• You can reply to as many messages as you want, in any order, no matter how old or new they are.

An online discussion allows students and instructors to post comments to a discussion topic, react to comments made by others in the class, and respond to ideas shared by anyone in the course.

The discussions begin with a topic/question posted by the instructor.  Students then reply giving quality responses.  Quality responses add value to the postings/summaries/comments and are more than just I agree or I disagree.  That is a good starting point, but to earn full credit you need to tell why you agree or disagree and support your position in a kind and thoughtful way.  Sometimes the class will be divided into discussion groups.  You can find your group assignment by clicking on the topic “group assignments” at the discussion board.  Check the course syllabus for specifics about the use of the WebCT discussion forum in your course.

Please remember that the discussion forum is a public forum.  Everyone in the class will see what you post.  Your level of disclosure and what you choose to share is up to you and your comfort level.  It is not necessary to share your life secrets with your class.  If you do have something personal you want to share or say to a classmate or to the instructor, you can click "reply privately" and your comments will only go the author of the message.  In addition, all of us need to remember that it is inappropriate and an invasion of privacy to copy, paste, or send copies of discussion postings to others not in the class.  What is written in the class discussions needs to stay in the class.

I post course updates in the discussion forum.

Discussion forums are a great way to share our life experiences and opinions and I encourage you to do that in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

How to use the discussion board.

1.      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.

2.      Click on the topic you want.

3.      Click on your group [there are no groups for the introduction].

4.      Find the first message in the topic.  This one is posted by me.  To post your response, click reply. This is what the button looks like.    Do not click on compose [found elsewhere on the page] because that will start a new thread.  You will not be using the compose option in our regular class discussions.  I use this option to post the discussion prompts and directions.

5.       After typing your comment you can 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 can also type your reply into a word processing document that has spell check and paste your response to the message box.  This is helpful when your message is long. Please note that 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.

          Some hints that can make your life easier.

          A.     You will see some green arrows.  You need to know that if the arrow tip points to the rightis collapsed and you need to click on it to view the follow-on messages.  If the arrow tip is pointing downthat means that the thread list is expanded and all the unread messages will be visible. 

          B.      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.

This is a view of the tool bar used to do the following:

C.      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.

D.       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.

E.       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 arrowto the left of the word "Go".  This will bring a drop down menu that lists all the topics available.

Points to remember:  1] Do not type your message in all capital letters.  It is equivalent to shouting or screaming and is considered VERY RUDE.  2] Also be aware that nonverbal cues are absent in messages.  Attempts at humor using sarcasm may be misinterpreted.   3] 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.  4] Remember when posting and replying to my prompt or classmates response click REPLY

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:

• Select the 'Module 6' thread.
• Under the 'Module 6' thread there could be a thread of "Reply to this message to add your Module 6 answers".  If the arrow next to the thread is pointing to the right click on the arrow to make the arrow point down.  This lets you see the messages under the thread.
• Scroll to the bottom of the message and then click on |Reply|
• Change the title of the reply from "RE:  Reply to this …" to something like "My answers to 6 Your Name (use your first and last name for Your Name).
• When you have your Module 6 answer complete and previewed click on |Post|.  (You can copy and paste your answers from a word processing document.)

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 me.

FOR REFERENCE: A detailed description of how to use the Discussion Forum line by line can be viewed by clicking on the link that follows.

 Click on this link to view line by line screens for WebCT Discussion Forum program.

End of Topic 12.

Topic 11:  Taking Quizzes and Test in WebCT           Orientation Overview

WebCT Home Page                                                       SWTJC Home Page

Revised January 2007