Discussions Tool: Frequently Asked Questions

The Discussions tool can be used for online discussions between you and your students or between groups of students. After setting up a discussion forum, you can create individual topics for discussion within the forum. Students can post messages in a threaded discussion. Students can also attach documents (e.g., PPTs, images) to their messages.

A forum is used to organize your discussion topics (similar to a category in Assignments). When creating discussions, a forum must be created first. Once a forum is created, you can then create one or several topics within the forum. Discussions take place in the topics, not in a forum.

Topics are where discussions actually take place – where users read and post messages.

Yes, you can restrict discussion forums or topics to specific groups of students.  For information on how to create group discussions, please visit our page on Creating Group Discussions.

Yes. You can do it by setting an end date for a discussion forum or topic, after which the submission function will be disabled. For more information about availability dates and associated settings, please visit our page on Creating a Forum and Creating a Topic.

Sure, the Discussions tool may be particularly beneficial for:

• Large classes where students may not have the opportunity to interact with peers.
• Classes where time does not permit a high level of in-class interaction.
• Classes with a group work component so students have a shared space to work.
• Activities or questions that require the students to take time to develop a thoughtful response that would not be possible in a classroom.
• Courses that focus on current and emerging trends.
• Courses with students who may be more comfortable expressing their thoughts after having time to reflect.
• Students for whom English is a second language since the discussion allows them the time to compose their responses.

Yes, definitely! Whether your course is face-to-face or distance, if you want your students to participate and use the discussions tool, there should be an evaluation component.

No, you do not have to respond to every student’s posting. You should read the postings and either respond to specific students’ posts if you have a question, or post a summary of students’ posts that will help to guide the discussion further.

This really depends on your course and the maturity of your students. Your role will vary tremendously when teaching a first-year course as compared to a graduate level course. You should participate enough so students know that you are interested but students should guide the discussion.

Yes, you can see students’ participation in the Discussions tool by clicking on the Statistics tab on the main discussions page.