Introduction
to Discussions in Brightspace
The Discussions
feature on Brightspace can be a little bit confusing with the different names
for each element. Here is an introduction to Discussions and how to set them
up and use them.
Setting
Up Discussions
1. Log in to brightspace.ptsem.edu and go into your course.
2. Select Discussions from the blue Navbar.
3. If you haven't already, create a new forum by clicking New and
then New Forum.
4. Enter a Forum title (required) and description (optional), then
select Save and Add Topic.
5. Add a Topic title (required) and description (optional).
Creating
Discussion Topics for Groups or Sections
If your class has
precept groups (made in class) or sections (made via the registrar), you may
want to create Brightspace discussion topics for each group/section. Follow the
steps below to set this up in your course.
1. After you have set up your Discussion Forum, select Save and
Add Topic. [Each topic you create will be visible only to one
group/section.]
2. Add a Topic title (required) and description (optional). You
may want to include the group/section name in the topic title.
3. Assuming you have already created groups or have sections in
your course, you will see "Topic Type" above the Topic Title space. Select
the second option: "Group or section topic, everyone can access this
topic, but students only see threads from their own group or section."
4. Finish setting up the topic and click "Save and
Close" or "Save and New" if you want to set up another Topic.
Creating a
Discussion Thread
1.
On the navbar, click Discussions. Alternatively, the
Discussion Topic may be available within your module, which you can click on to
access.
2.
Click the topic where you want to create a thread. If you have
accessed the Discussion Topic through a module, you will bypass this step.
3.
Click Start a New Thread.
4.
Enter a subject/title.
5.
Enter your post.
6.
You can attach files to your Discussion Thread. To do this, click
the Add Attachments arrow underneath the paragraph text box.
7.
You can record a video or audio file directly into the Discussion
Thread if you would like.
a.
For Video files, click Record Video > Allow
> Record. When you finish recording, click Stop. To erase your
recording, click Clear. To add the recording to your Discussion Thread,
click Add.
b.
For Audio files, click Record Audio > Record. To
make adjustments to your microphone selection and volume, click Flash
Settings. To listen to your recording, click Play. To erase your
recording, click Clear.
8.
If you have pre-recording video or audio, or
you would like to attach a different type of file, you can upload the files by
either dragging the files into the Attachment box or clicking Upload.
9.
After clicking Upload, you search your documents to find the files
that you would like to upload. Once you select the file, click Choose.
The file name will display in the Attachments box.
10.
Once you have included all of the
information and files you would like for your Discussion Thread, click Post.
Responding
to a Discussion Thread
1.
Locate the Discussion Thread you want to reply to.
2.
Do either of the following:
a.
To reply to the main thread post, click Reply to Thread.
b.
To reply to a particular post inside the thread, go to that post
and click Reply.
3.
Enter your reply in the paragraph text box. To include the
original post’s text in your reply, click the Add original post text
link.
4.
Set any of the following options:
a.
To receive updates on the thread using your
selected notification method, select Subscribe to this thread.
b.
To attach a file, in the Attachments area, click Browse to
locate the file you want to attach.
c.
To attach an audio recording, in the Attachments area,
click Record Audio > Record. To make adjustments to your
microphone selection and volume, click Flash Settings. To listen to your
recording, click Play. To erase your recording, click Clear. If
you have pre-recorded audio and are using a supported browser, you can drag
audio files onto the attachments upload target.
d.
To attach a video recording, in the Attachments area, click
Record Video > Allow > Record. When you finish
recording, click Stop. Click Clear to erase your recording or
Add to add the recording. If you have pre-recorded video and are using a
supported browser, you can drag video files onto the attachments upload target.
5.
Click Post.