This document will explain how to organize your discussions from the Communications
area and add them into your content area when you are done.
Step 1 - Communications
- Select Communications tab at the top
- Select "Discussions" from the menu options
Definitions: Forums & Topics & Threads
Forum - Is a discussion area, it groups topics together by theme.
Topic - Topic area is under the umbrella of the forum. This is where the discussion actually takes place.
Thread - A thread is under the umbrella of a topic. This is where a student posts their initial response to the topic.
Step 2 - Create a Forum
- Click on Forum to create a new forum
Step 3 - Forum Settings
- Type "Title" name - (Example: General Forum area, Module 1 forum...etc.) There are many ways that you can organize discussion forums.
- Type description and/or add media. (Note: This is a good place to include a rubric for discussions.)
- Select appropriate "Options"
Step 4 - Forum - Set Availability and Locking
- Availability settings set when the forum is visible to students.
- Locking options lock and unlock the forum for contribution at specified dates. (This does NOT set the visibility of the forum.)
*NOTE: Remember, the forum settings will override topic settings.
Topic Settings
The next few steps will review the following menus: Properties, Restrictions and Assessment.
Step 5 - Topic: Properties
- Select the forum that you would like the topic to appear under.
- Add a title
- Add a description of the topic (Note: This is where to type the question(s) and/or instructions for posting to the discussion topic.)
- Options: Select the settings that you would like to be active for the topic.
Step 6 Topic: Set Availability and Locking
- Availability settings set when the topic is visible to students.
- Locking options lock and unlock the topic for student contribution at specified dates. (This does NOT set the visibility of the forum.)
*NOTE: Remember, the forum settings will override topic settings.
Step 7 - Topic: Restrictions
- Click to create or attach release conditions. (Note: Release conditions can be created based on completion of other activities such as quizzes etc.)
- Click to restrict the topic to specific groups or sections. (Note: This only applies to classes with groups or multiple sections. Please see document for creating group/cross sectioned course discussions.)
Step 8 - Topic: Assessment
- Attach to a grade item
- Designate the "Score out of"
- Add a rubric or create a rubric (recommended)
- Optional: Posts - Select options for grading posts.
- Save and close
Step 9 - View Forum and Topic in Discussion Area
- In the discussion area you will see your forum and topic.
NOTE: D2L will automatically put the new forum and topic at the bottom of your discussion area. You
may need to reorder topics.
Step 10 - Add Discussion Topic to Content
- Go to Content area
- Select the module to which the new discussion belongs.
- Click "Add Existing Activities"
- Select "Discussions"
Step 11 - Add Discussion Topic to Content (cont.)
Step 12 - Add Discussion Topic to Content (cont.)