Discussions

Forums are used to house discussion topics that are similar, think of them like folders. For example, there might be several discussions in the first week of the course, so create a forum titled "Week One Discussions" for them.

Topics are where the discussion actually takes place. This is where students can post threads in response to a discussion prompt. 

Threads are the initial comments added to a discussion topic. 

Replies are responses posted to a specific discussion thread.

Setting up a discussion is a two-step process: first create a forum that can hold one or more discussion topics, then create discussion topics within that forum.

Create a discussion forum

1. 1. Select Discussions in the course navigation bar.
   2. Select New.
   3. Select New Forum from the dropdown menu.
   4. Enter a title.
   5. (Optional) Enter a description.
   6. Select Save and Close.

Create a discussion topic

1. 1. Select New.
   2. Select New Topic from the dropdown menu.
   3. Select a forum from the Forums dropdown menu (or select the New Forum to create a new forum.)
   4. Choose a Topic Type:
      
      • Open topic: Everyone can access the topic and contents.
      • Group or section topic: Everyone can access the topic, but students only see threads from their group or section (course must have groups set up before setting up group- or section-based topics).
   5. Enter a title.
   6. (Optional) Enter a description.
   7. (Optional) Select options for the topic:
   8. Allow anonymous posts: Select this option to allow students to anonymously post to this topic (not recommended).
   9. A moderator must approve individual posts before they display in the topic: Select this option to approve posts before students are able to view them (or to have a TA review and approve them.)
   10. Users must start a thread before they can read and reply to other threads: Select this option to force students to post to the topic before they can read and reply to other posts (recommended).
   11. (Optional) Select option for Rate Posts. The default is No Ratings.
   12. Select the Save and Close button

Participate in discussions by  posting a new thread to a Discussion topic or by replying to a thread that has been posted. Users can also use @mentions to direct other users to a thread by tagging them.

To keep track of new activity, subscribe to a Discussion and receive updates by email or text message immediately or as a daily email summary.

Post a new thread

1. 1. Select Discussions in the course navigation bar. 
   2. The Discussions list page will open. Select the title of the Discussion topic.
   3. Select Start a New Thread.
   4. A text box will be displayed to compose a thread. Enter a subject for the thread and its main content in the text box. 
   5. Select Post. 

Reply to a thread

1. 1. Select Discussions from the course navigation bar. 
   2. The Discussions list page will open. Select the title of the Discussion topic.
   3. Select the title of the thread.
   4. Select Reply to Thread.
   5. A text box will be displayed to compose a thread. Enter text, images or other content.
   6. Select Post.  

Use @mentions in a discussion

The @mentions capability allows users to tag other users in a course within a Discussion thread or reply. When a user is tagged with @mentions, they will receive a notification within D2L directing them to the thread in which they were tagged.

1. 1. Navigate to the forum, topic, or thread in which to use @mentions.
   2. Post as normal using by selecting Reply to Thread or Start a New Thread.
   3. To tag a user, type @ and begin typing their first or last name.
   4. The user will appear on a list under the text. Select the user [A] to tag them. 
   5. The @mention will display the user's first and last name. 
   6. When complete, select Post.

Subscribe to a discussion forum or topic

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1. 1. Select Discussions from the course navigation bar. 
   2. The Discussions list page will open. Select the dropdown arrow [A] next to the title of the Discussion forum or the Discussion topic. 
   3. Select Subscribe from the dropdown menu.
   4. A pop-up window with notifications options will open. Select a notification frequency option:
      
      • Send me an instant notification: Receive a separate email notification for each post or reply to a thread.
      • Include in my summary of activity: Receive a daily summary of all posts to a forum or topic.
      • Show notifications in minibar only: Receive no email notifications, but have alerts for new posts show up in the update alerts in D2L, which are displayed in the top menu of the D2L home page.
   5. Select Subscribe. 

Numeric scores and feedback can be provided on student participation in a discussion topic.  Unlike replies to posts, these scores are only available to the individual student.  Scores can be automatically transferred to the Grades area if associated with a grade item.

Set up a topic for grading

1. 1. Select Discussions in the course navigation bar. 
   2. The "Discussions List" page will open. Select the dropdown arrow next to the discussion topic to be assessed.
      Select Edit Topic. 
   3. The "Edit Topic" page will open with the "Properties" tab displayed. Select Assessment.
   4. (Optional) To have the grade display in the Grades area of the course, select a grade item:To link to a grade item that has already been created in the Grades area, select the item from the Grade Item dropdown list.
   5. If the grade item does not exist, create a new grade item for the topic by selecting New Grade Item.
   6. Enter the maximum points students can earn for participation in the discussion in the Score Out Of field.
   7. (Optional) Add a Rubric. See Rubrics for more information.
   8. Select  Save and Close. 

Assign scores and providing feedback

1. 1. Select Discussions in the course navigation bar. The "Discussions List" page will open. Select the dropdown arrow next to the topic to be graded.
   2. Select Assess Topic. The "Assess Topic" page will open.
   3. Select Topic Score under the name of the student to be assessed. A new page will open to show all of the posts and responses the student has made for this discussion. If a rubric was attached to this discussion, the the interactive rubric will appear in the evaluation panel with the "Overall Grade" and "Overall Feedback" fields. Note: If using a rubric the earned points will be automatically entered into the "Overall Grade" field after scoring the rubric.
   4. (Optional) Enter qualitative feedback in the "Overall Feedback" box.
   5. Select Save Draft  to delay the release of the grade and feedback.
   6. Select Publish to release the grade and feedback.  

Discussion topics can be restricted to a group that has been set up in the course site. Only the students enrolled in the group will be able to see and participate in the discussion topic.

Note: Groups must be created before creating group discussion topics. 

1. 1. Go to Discussions.
   2. Select New.
   3. From the dropdown menu, select New Topic.
   4. Select an existing forum or select the New Forum link to create a new forum.  
   5. Select the topic type "Group or section topic, everyone can access this topic but students only see threads from their own group or section".
   6. Choose the group under "Group or Section Category".
   7. Enter a title in the text box.
   8. (Optional) Add a description in the "Description" text box.
   9. Select Save.

1. 1. Go to discussion
   2. Change view to all threads
   3. Show search options
   4. Uncheck everything but last name
   5. Alphabetize by Authored by

1. 1. Go to discussions
   2. Select the drop down next to the topic and select edit topic
   3. Under Topic Type, select Group or section topic, everyone can access this topic but students only see threads from their own group or section
   4. Save and close