{"id":811,"date":"2017-08-17T16:13:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-17T16:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources2\/?page_id=811"},"modified":"2026-07-24T14:45:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T17:15:01","slug":"using-the-discussion-tool","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/using-the-discussion-tool\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started with Discussions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><button class=\"bellows-menu-toggle bellows-menu-toggle-skin-vanilla\" aria-controls=\"bellows-main-265\"><i class=\"fa fa-bars\"><\/i> <span class=\"bellows-menu-toggle-text\">Section Menu<\/span><\/button><div id=\"bellows-main-265\" class=\"bellows bellows-nojs bellows-main bellows-source-menu bellows-align-left bellows-skin-vanilla bellows-type- bellows-expand-current bellows-mobile-collapse\"><ul id=\"menu-communication\" class=\"bellows-nav\" data-bellows-config=\"main\"><li id=\"menu-item-41887\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-has-children bellows-menu-item-41887 bellows-item-level-0\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Communication<\/span><button class=\"bellows-subtoggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Submenu\"><i class=\"bellows-subtoggle-icon-expand fa fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><i class=\"bellows-subtoggle-icon-collapse fa fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/button><\/a>\n<ul class=\"bellows-submenu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41889\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41889 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/choosing-the-right-tool-for-communication\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Choosing the Right Communication Tool<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41891\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41891 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/discussions-creating-a-forum\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Creating Discussions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41893\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41893 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/discussion-statistics\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Discussion Statistics<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41895\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41895 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/getting-started-with-webex\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Getting Started with Webex<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41897\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41897 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/discussions-grading-discussions\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Grading Discussions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41899\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41899 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/intelligent-agents-introduction\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Intelligent Agents<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41901\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41901 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/running-webex-sessions\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Navigating Webex Sessions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41903\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41903 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/online-rooms-2\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Online Rooms<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41905\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41905 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/webex-meeting-configuration-options\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Scheduling Webex Sessions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41907\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41907 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/webex-connecting-from-a-room-system\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Using Webex\u00a0in the Classroom<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41909\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41909 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/webex-settings\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Webex Settings Explained<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41911\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41911 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/using-the-discussion-tool\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Getting Started with Discussions<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41913\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41913 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/using-the-news-announcements-tool\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Announcements<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-41915\" class=\"bellows-menu-item bellows-menu-item-type-post_type bellows-menu-item-object-page bellows-menu-item-41915 bellows-item-level-1\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/using-the-survey-tool\/\" class=\"bellows-target\"><span class=\"bellows-target-title bellows-target-text\">Brightspace Surveys<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column pagecontent is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting Started with Discussions<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">The Discussions tool in Brightspace provides students with a space to communicate with one another by posting, reading, and replying to messages. Instructors can create discussion forums to allow students to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<li>Ask questions about the course, assessments etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comment and share reflections on course material<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaborate in groups (e.g., on a group project)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discuss answers to an assignment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share files with the whole class or group (e.g., PPT presentations or articles)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Discussions in Brightspace can be <strong>open<\/strong> to the entire class or <strong>restricted<\/strong> to smaller groups. Group discussions can be set up in two ways: each group can discuss the same topic in a private setting, or different topics can be assigned to different groups. Also, when teaching a course with combined course sections, section-specific discussions can be created. Instructors can also create discussions where students can post anonymously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group note-container has-base-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Note<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students are not able to create discussion forums or topics. Instructors need to structure the discussion area for students.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"0-benefits-of-using-discussions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits of Using Discussions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many benefits of incorporating discussions into a course. Discussions can: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>promote communication and collaboration among students,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provide a platform where students can learn from each other and co-create knowledge,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>give each student an equal opportunity to share their ideas,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provide a comfortable place to share ideas to shy or introverted students, who may be reluctant to speak in a classroom,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>allow students to practice writing skills (although they should not be treated as writing assignments but dialogues).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussions Terminology<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Forum<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A forum is a collection of related discussion topics, similar to Category in Assignments and Quizzes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There may be several discussion forums in a course, and each forum may contain one or several <strong>topics<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A forum <span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">cannot<\/span> be graded, and thus it cannot be linked to the grade book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A forum cannot have a rubric attached to it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students cannot post in a forum unless it contains a topic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Topic<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A place where students post their responses to a question\/prompt and reply to other students\u2019 posts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once a forum is created, an instructor has to add a topic (or multiple topics) to it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topics have to be created <em>within <\/em>a forum \u2013 they cannot exist independently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Topics can be graded, and can be linked to the grade book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A rubric can be attached to a topic for evaluation purposes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Thread<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A thread is created when a student posts in a discussion topic. A discussion thread consists of the original post along with any replies to that post.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are often multiple threads per topic (each student may start their own thread).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Reply<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A response to another student\u2019s post in a thread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Post<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-908fa98c-149b-445d-826f-77567e665e7a\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Any message posted in a thread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group note-container has-base-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Note<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students cannot create discussion forums or topics. They can only start threads and reply to posts. Thus, the discussion area has to be set up by the instructor.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The image below illustrates the different elements of a discussion in Brightspace.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a8ca8ebad3dc&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a8ca8ebad3dc\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"497\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/73\/files\/2024\/02\/discussions8-1024x497.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-32567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/files\/2024\/02\/discussions8-1024x497.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/files\/2024\/02\/discussions8-300x146.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/files\/2024\/02\/discussions8-768x373.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/files\/2024\/02\/discussions8-1536x745.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/files\/2024\/02\/discussions8.png 1595w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\taria-label=\"Enlarge\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: Discussions forum, topics, threads, and posts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discussions FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" data-mobilecollapse=\"true\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Can I create group discussions so that only specific students can see and post to a topic\/forum?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>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 Discussions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Can I lock forums or topics so that students can no longer post but can still see all the posts?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>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 Discussions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Can I use the discussion tool in my face-to-face course?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>Sure, the Discussions tool may be particularly beneficial for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Large classes where students may not have the opportunity to interact with peers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classes where time does not permit a high level of in-class interaction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classes with a group work component so students have a shared space to work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities or questions that require the students to take time to develop a thoughtful response that would not be possible in a classroom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courses that focus on current and emerging trends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courses with students who may be more comfortable expressing their thoughts after having time to reflect.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students for whom English is a second language since the discussion allows them the time to compose their responses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Should I respond to every posting in a busy discussion forum or topic?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>No, you do not have to respond to every student\u2019s posting. You should read the postings and either respond to specific students\u2019 posts if you have a question, or post a summary of students\u2019 posts that will help to guide the discussion further.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">What is my role? How should I participate in the discussions?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Can I see if students have read or posted in specific discussion forums and topics?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>Yes, you can see students\u2019 participation in the Discussions tool by clicking on the Statistics tab on the main discussions page.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; border-top-left-radius: 8px; border-top-right-radius: 8px; border-bottom-left-radius: 8px; border-bottom-right-radius: 8px; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\" style=\"color: #000000; \">Should I grade discussion posts?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-0a8d25c3-7d2a-4e30-98c9-791077e21adb\">\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting Started with Discussions The Discussions tool in Brightspace provides students with a space to communicate with one another by posting, reading, and replying to messages. Instructors can create discussion forums to allow students to: Discussions in Brightspace can be open to the entire class or restricted to smaller groups. Group discussions can be set &#8230; <a title=\"Getting Started with Discussions\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/communication\/using-the-discussion-tool\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Getting Started with Discussions\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":255,"featured_media":0,"parent":41363,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[283],"tags":[231,285],"class_list":{"0":"post-811","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"category-communication","6":"tag-brightspace-tools","7":"tag-discussions"},"featured_image_src":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/255"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=811"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43187,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/811\/revisions\/43187"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.citl.mun.ca\/technologyresources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}