The discussions tool provides asynchronous communication for instructors and students. Using the discussion tool you can post, read, and reply to messages at any time that is convenient.
If your instructor has made the discussions tool available, you will be able to access it from the course toolbar. Note the green check next to the discussions icon which means there are new unread postings.
1. Click on the Discussions link in the course toolbar.
The Discussions Tool is usually divided into topic areas and message postings reside within those topics. Topics can be a question or the introduction of a new concept to which you can post messages. By default, discussion messages are presented in threads, which are a series of replies to the same subject, allowing you to follow the discussion.
2. To read messages, click on the topic title.
The messages listing screen appears.
3. To read a message, click on the subject title.
The posted message will open for you to read.
4. When you are ready, click Reply at the bottom of the message.
Add text to the message area using plain text or select the HTML creator to add formatted text to your reply message.
5. Select the "Preview" button to view your message before posting.
6. When ready, click the "Post" button.
Note: If you accidentally press "Cancel" or close the reply window before you have posted your message, you will lose all your text in the message area. We recommend that you use a word processing application such as Microsoft Word to create your reply, save a copy, and then cut and paste your text into the message area.
Expanding and Collapsing Threads
To expand all threads within the topic, in the table heading row, click Expand All. To collapse all threads within the topic, in the table heading row, click Collapse All.
OR From the Messages screen, click the Expand + icon next to the thread's subject title.
To collapse a thread, next to the thread's subject title, click the Collapse - icon.
