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Blackboard Ultra: Student Orientation: Discussions

 

Blackboard Ultra Orientation

Discussions

Discussions are an online forum about course concepts.  Your instructor may expect you to participate in discussions.  Your instructor can also grade your contributions. 

 

Access a Discussion

Option 1:  Select the Discussion tab on your course's navigation bar from a course.  Select the discussion from the list that appears.

Image of the Discussions tab

 

Option 2:  Discussions can also appear alongside other course materials on the Course Content page. 

Image of Discussions on the Course Content page


Reply to a Discussion

Each time you open a discussion, new responses and replies appear with "New" to show any activity since your last visit.  After you open a discussion, you can add a response, reply or even reply to reply. 

You can use the options in the editor to format text, attach files, and embed media.  Select the plus icon to view the options menu if you view the editor on a smaller screen.  

 

Image of Discussion reply


Save a Post as a Draft

If you are not ready to post, you can save your response or reply as a draft.  Select Save Draft after you've typed content.  Your draft shows in the discussions panel but is only visible to you.  After your draft is saved, select Edit Draft to continue working.  Your draft also appears in the participants' menu. 

Image of Discussion draft


Post a Response First

Your instructor may require you to respond to a discussion before you can read other responses and replies.  When you "post first," you aren't influenced by your classmates' responses.  When you open this type of discussion, a message appears: Post a response to see discussion activity.  You can't view the discussion yet.  Responses and replies appear when you post a response. 

The Participants list won't show the number of others' responses and replies until you post a response. 

Image of posting a response first requirement

 

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