Using the Forum

Contents:
Threads
Replies

Threads

Threads further divide a forum into specific topics or ideas to which board readers may respond. If you read a thread about something which you would like to address, it is usually best practice to respond with a reply post rather than create a new thread. Doing so will help keep the forum organized and easy to follow. However, if you want to discuss something that is unrelated and will likely lead people off-topic, then you should start a new thread.

• By default, threads can be started by instructors and students (to prevent students from making new threads, see Forum Settings in Creating a Forum)
• Go to the discussion board (either the class or group one) and pick an appropriate forum to start a thread in.

• On the discussion board's main page, click Create Thread.

• For Subject, enter a thread title.

• Fill out the Message text box.

• If you would like to attach a file, click on Browse My Computer to select a file from your computer or Browse Course to select a file from your course file storage area. Only one file may be attached per thread or reply.

• Click Submit to publish your thread or reply.

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Replies

Replies are posts made by board readers in response to the main thread post, which is also the first post. It is usually best practice to reply if your idea is on-topic with the rest of the thread. Think of threads as face-to-face conversations and if what you are about to say does not fit in or will create a new conversation altogether, start a new thread.

• At the forums, click on a thread title to view the ongoing discussion.

• To respond, click on the Reply button. The process for replying to posts is very similar to the one for creating threads (detailed above).

• Note that clicking the reply button at the top (next to Thread: thread name) will respond to the thread and clicking the one at the bottom (next to Subject: subject name) will respond to that particular post. While both replies will show up in the same thread, this will affect which post is going to be the parent post and thus how the thread will be structured in Tree View.

• The Subject box gets completed automatically, so you do not have to worry about that.
• Fill out the Message text box with your reply.

• If you would like to attach a file, click on Browse My Computer to choose a file. Only one file may be attached per reply.
• Click Submit to publish your reply.

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