Using the WebCT Discussion Tool
Areas to be covered:
Topics
When you first come to the discussion board you will notice several topics listed. Their names could vary depending on what your instructor has chosen. You will only see topics of which the instructor has included you as a member. A topic that all class members are included in will say Public in the Status column. A topic that has selected members will read Private in the Status column
The Status column also tells whether the topic is currently accessible. Your instructor may not allow postings on a topic until it has been covered in class, or may want to stop postings to a topic after a certain period of time. If a topic reads Unlocked in the Status column, you are free to post to it. If it reads Locked, you will be able to open the topic, but not post to it.
It is important to pay attention to the topic when making a post, so that your messages end up on the correct discussion board.
Reading Postings
Ÿ Select a topic from the Discussion Board by clicking on the title
Ÿ Select Show All if you wish to see all messages, not just the unread ones.
Ÿ Select Unthreaded if you would like to see the messages by date of posting, instead of by subject.
Ÿ When showing Threaded, only the subject headings display.
o The status box indicates the number of messages in the subject.
§ 2/5 would indicate 2 unread out of 5 total messages
o Click on the triangle to the left of the subject to see the messages.
Ÿ You will notice that the message has a title, name of person posting, and the date and time posted.
o Click on the message title to open the message
o Use Previous Message and Next Message to navigate through postings in a subject.
o
Use Previous Thread and Next Thread to navigate between
subjects. 
Posting to the Discussion Board
You can post to the discussion board in one of two ways: by composing a new message, or by replying to a message. Composing a new message creates its own subject line. You would want to do this if you want to start a new subject for discussion. If you want your message to come under a subject already in existence, then you need to reply to a message. For example, if your instructor posted a subject Discussion Question #1, you would want to reply to the instructor’s posting if your message deals directly with his/her question, or you could reply to another student’s posting if your message is in response to his/her posting.
You also have the option of replying privately to a message. A normal reply goes to the discussion board for all to read. Reply privately sends the message to the person’s email box.
Ÿ
Composing a new message
o Click Compose Discussion Message
o Select the topic from the drop down box. If you do not do this it will default to whichever board you were in last
o Type in a subject
o Type your message, or copy and paste from word-processing program.
o Some instructors limit the number of lines allowed in a post.
§ To resize edit area select number of lines from drop down box next to Height of Edit area
§ Click on Resize button
o Preview
the posting by clicking on Preview button. Messages cannot be edited after
posting.
o Click
Post button when complete.
o Click
on Update Listing to see the posting on the Discussion Board.
Ÿ
To Reply to a message
o Open
message
o Click
on Reply or Reply Privately or Quote
§
Remember that Reply Privately sends it to the
person’s email.
§
Quote puts the persons original message inside
your reply. This can be good if you would like to respond to different parts of
their posting.
o You
will notice that the subject line is filled in for you.
o Type your message, or copy and paste from word-processing program.
o Some instructors limit the number of lines allowed in a post.
§ To resize edit area select number of lines from drop down box next to Height of Edit area
§ Click on Resize button
o Preview
the posting by clicking on Preview button. Messages cannot be edited
after posting.
o Click
Post button when complete.
o Click
on Update Listing to see the posting on the Discussion Board.
Managing Messages
Ÿ
Managing messages
o Select message(s) by clicking in box in front of message
o Select option from message options at bottom of screen. (There is a link at the top of the discussion board to jump you there quickly when the discussion board page fills up)
§ Compile brings selected messages into one file for download
§ Mark as Read or Mark as Unread allows you to change the status of a message.
§ There is no delete message function for students. Only instructors can delete messages.
Ÿ Searching messages
o Select subject or messages and click Search
o Select from each drop down box
§ Select from All or only Unread
§ Select topic. You will not be able to search topics you are not a member of.
§ Criteria allows you to search by date, name, subject, message or message number
§ Comparison gives choices on how to search
§ Value must be entered by you, i.e. the date, or name you are looking for
o Click Search button.
o Results will display in the discussion board behind the search window.
Ÿ Downloading Messages
o Messages can be downloaded individually or after being compiled
§ Click on Download button at bottom of message or compiled messages
§ Select Save to disk and click OK
§ Name file and select location on your computer for saving.
