Creating a Forum
Accessing the Discussion Board
There are two methods of accessing the Discussion Board - using the Control Panel or through the Course Homepage.
Using the Control Panel
- Click the Control Panel button on the left side of the screen in your Course homepage.
- From the Control Panel, click Discussion Board.
- Click the available link.
From the Course Homepage
- Click Communication on the Course Homepage.
- Click Discussion Board.
Creating the Forum
- Under the Discussion Board area, click the Forum button to add a new forum.
- Enter the Forum Name and Description.
- Set the Forum Availability as desired.
Note: Faculty have the ability to setup Forums in advance and make them available or visible to students at the appropriate time by setting the date and time restrictions.
- Modify the Forum Settings as needed.
- Allow anonymous posts - Users can submit their posts without revealing their identity.
- Allow author to remove own posts - This option allows authors of posts to delete their own posts.
- Allow author to modify own published posts - Users can modify their posts after submission.
- Allow file attachments - Users can attach a file with their posts.
- Allow members to create new threads - Users can create new discussion threads in the Forum. If this option is not enabled, the Manager will have to create a thread, and participants will be able to respond only to that thread.
- Allow members to subscribe to threads - When a user subscribes to a thread, he or she receives e-mail notification each time a new post is added to the thread. The notification is sent to the e-mail address stored in the user's personal information.
- Allow members to rate posts - Users can rate posts in the Forum on a scale of one to five stars. If enabled, it is a simple and effective tool for peer review.
- Force moderation of posts - If this option is checked, when a user other than a Moderator or Manager submits a post, the post is saved to the Moderation Queue for review and publication by the Moderator. By default, Faculty are designated as moderators; however, others can be assigned that role.
- Grading - Notice a user can choose to grade the forum, threads or not grade at all. Additional details about enabling the grading feature can be found under the Grading Discussion section.
- When finished, click the Submit button.
Blackboard Frequently Asked Questions 
Find more answers...
Are you looking for more information related to Blackboard communication tools? Review the answers to frequently asked questions regarding the communication tools in Blackboard. Also, consider attending one of the upcoming Blackboard workshops.
Last Updated: 05/27/2008
