Discussions Tool

Discussions are organized into Forums > Topics > Threads > Student Posts & Replies. A forum will contain topics. Students are able to post in topics by using threads. Threads are similar to a social media post where others can then comment (reply) to the original post (if enabled).

Forum - a collection of topics.

Topics - a collection of student threads on a topic specified by the instructor.

Threads - a chain of student posts that contain the original post and replies to the original post.

Post/Reply - a single message created and posted by a student in response to instructors provided.

See below for common questions related to Discussions.

How do I post in Discussions?  

Go to Discussions in the NavBar.

1. Click on the Forum the topic is in and click Expand.

2. Find the Topic you are going to post under.

3. Click on the Topic title.

4. To post click Start a New Thread.

5. Write your thread then click Post.

How do I create a discussion thread?  

Go to Discussions in the NavBar.

1. Click on the Forum the topic is in and click Expand.

2. Find the Topic you are going to post under.

3. Click on the Topic title.

4. To post click Start a New Thread.

5. Write your thread then click Post.

How do I reply to a discussion?  

Go to Discussions in the NavBar.

1. Find the thread you want to reply to under the topic.

2. Click on the [Title] of the thread to open it.

3. At the bottom of the thread click Reply to Thread.

4. Draft your reply then click Post.

To reply to other comments or other students replies on the same thread, click the Reply button on their post.

How do I add attachments to my posts?

Scroll down below the text box for your post. Just beneath the “Subscribe to this thread” checkbox, there is an “Add attachments” link. Select Add attachments, and a dropbox will appear where you can either drag and drop files to attach them to your post, or select the Upload, Record, or Choose Existing buttons if dragging and dropping a file isn’t desired.

Can I delete my post? 

Yes. Click the drop-down arrow beside the title of your thread. Click Delete.

How do I post a video?

It’s possible to add a video to a post by making use of the Insert Stuff button in the text editor. There is more information listed under How to submit a video

Why can’t I post a response? 

• Your instructor may have restricted the topic so that students must start a thread before they can view or reply to other threads.

• Posts may have to be approved by a moderator before they appear. Refer to the topic description or syllabus.

• The Topic may not yet be visible, check if there are any release conditions that have not been met, or if it is before the release date.

• The end date may have been reached or, the instructor has removed that Topic/Forum from class visibility.

Why can’t I see classmates’ posts? 

• Your instructor may have restricted the topic so that students must start a thread before they can view or reply to other threads.

• The Topic may not yet be visible, check if there are any release conditions that have not been met or if it is before the release date.

• The end date may have been reached or the instructor has removed that Topic/Forum from class visibility.

• The post may have been deleted.

If you believe there is an error and you should be able to see posts, contact your TA or instructor.

Can I receive notifications about discussion activity? 

Yes. To receive notifications for a thread, topic, or forum activity, click the Subscribe button on the page or in the drop-down menu accessed via the chevron beside the title. To manage your notifications please refer to https://cpibrock.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BLEDOCU/pages/1040973829/Getting+Started+in+Brightspace#How-do-I-customize-the-notifications-I-receive%3F.