Desire2Learn

Setting Up DiscussionsFor Faculty

Discussions are a convenient means for you and your students to interact with each other. D2L discussions are an asynchronous (not real time) communication tool. The structure you provide will determine how easy it is to manage the discussions. 

For additional options for discussions, see Forum and Topic Options.

return to topDiscussion Terminology

Discussion Terminology diagram

Forum
A forum is a subset of the discussion area. It serves as a heading or way to organize discussions. Establishing a separate forum for the major discussion topics can help you and your students manage and organize the discussion area. Only the instructor can create a forum.

Topic
A topic is a subset of a forum. This is a major element in the discussion (perhaps the question of the week posted by the instructor). Only the instructor can create a topic.

Message
A message is the actual discussion content posted by the instructor or the student. Both instructors and students can create a message.

return to topConsiderations for Discussion Setup

The setup of your Desire2Learn discussion area can make things easier or more difficult for you and your students. The primary consideration is the creation of separate forums for weekly/unit/group discussions. The following are some traits of the forums and topics that can help guide your decision.

  • You can use the Discussion List frame to navigate between topics.

  • Use the Description to detail your expectations for the discussion. For example, "Post your thoughts on this subject and reply to two other classmates' messages."

  • Decide whether you will be tracking and grading participation as the course progresses or just at the end.
    If only tracking at the end, the fewer the forums, the easier it will be to track. The more forums, the more places to look for an assignment posted in the wrong place.

  • Limiting the size of discussion groups can provide for richer discussions and easier grading. Refer to Limiting Discussion by Group Membership.

  • Make your presence in the discussion area known. Students value your viewpoint and will value the discussion more.

return to topStarting a Discussion

For your post to appear on students' pages, you must add both a forum and a topic for the discussion. For additional options regarding discussions, refer to Forum and Topic Options.

Adding a Forum

  1. From the My Home page, click the course in which you would like to add a discussion forum
    The Course Home page opens.

  2. From the Navigation bar, click DISCUSSIONS.
    The Discussion Areas page opens.

  3. Click NEW FORUM.
    The New Forum dialog box appears.

  4. In the Forum Title text box, type the name for your new forum.

  5. In the Description scroll box, type a short description of the forum.
    The description will be displayed under the topic title when the Discussion Areas page is viewed.

  6. To allow anonymous posts to the discussion, select Allow anonymous postings.
    NOTES:
    This allows for anonymous postings, but does not make all postings anonymous.
    Students must select that option when making their post.
    Anonymous postings are anonymous to both students and the instructor.

  7. To make the forum hidden, select hide this forum
    NOTE: This is a manual method of controlling availability. To automate the availability period use step #8.

  8.    To specify the time period in which the forum is available:
    1. Select Has Start Date.
    2. To specify the start date, use the Date pull-down lists.
      HINT: To select a date from the calendar, click SELECT DATE.
    3. Select Has End Date.
    4. To specify an end date, use the Date pull-down lists.
      HINT: To select a date from the calendar, click SELECT DATE.
      NOTE:The discussion forum and all topics beneath it will not be visible outside the specified time frame.

  9. Click SAVE AND ADD TOPIC.
    The New Topic dialog box appears.

  10. In the New Topic Details section, in the Topic Title text box, type the title for your new topic.

  11. In the Description scroll box, type a short description of the topic.
    This description will be displayed under the topic title when the Discussions page is viewed.
    You can type the actual question and/or describe the desired length of answers.

  12. To add additional topics for the same Forum,
    1. Click SAVE AND NEW.

    2. Repeat steps 10 and 11.

  13. Click SAVE.
    The forum and topic(s) have been added.

  14. To return to the Discussion area, on the Navigation bar, click DISCUSSIONS.
    NOTE: You cannot see the forum unless topics have been added.