The Discussion Board in Blackboard organizes conversations between students and instructors. A conversation is called a thread. A thread includes a main message and all of its replies.

To read a Discussion Board Forum

1. In the Course Page, click the Discussion Board button in the Course Menu. (The Discussion Board may also be located in the Communication section.)
2. Click the forum name to access the forum.
3. To view more or less of the forum, click the Expand All or Collapse All shortcut in the upper-right corner of the forum.
4. If you only want to view unread messages, click the View Unread Messages shortcut in the upper-left corner of the forum.
5. To sort threads, click the arrow on the Sort By box and select an option from the resulting menu.
6. Click a thread name to read the thread.
7. Click the OK button when you are finished.

Note: Click on the Show Options tab in the upper-right corner of the Discussion Board to display the Discussion Board Options menu.

To create a Discussion Thread

1. In the Course page, click the Discussion Board button in the Course Menu.
2. Click the forum name to access the forum.
3. Click the Add New Thread button.
4. Enter a subject in the Subject box.
5. Enter thread text in the Message box.
6. To add an attachment, click the Browse button, locate and select the file you want to add, and click the Open button.
7. Click the Preview Message button to preview the thread before submitting it.
8. Click the Submit button.

To reply to a Discussion Thread

1. In the Course page, click the Discussion Board button in the Course Menu.
2. Click the forum name to access the forum.
3. Click the thread name to open the thread.
4. Click the Reply button to reply to the thread.
5. Enter reply text in the Message box.
6. Click the Submit button.

Note: Click the Next Message and Previous Message shortcuts to navigate through a thread.

To attach homework assignment to your reply

1. In the Discussion Board for the week, click on the name of the forum.
2. Click on the Thread Name.
3. Read the message posted by the instructor.
4. Type your reply in the Message Box.
5. Scroll down and click on the BROWSE button.
6. Go to the homework file you saved on your computer and double click on the file name. This will attach the file to your Discussion Board message.
7. Click the SUBMIT button.

Need more help?

• Call the Blackboard Help Desk at 503-657-6958, Ext. 5065
• E-mail questions to online@clackamas.edu
• Contact Distance Learning at 503-657-6958, Ext. 2462

This page is maintained by the Blackboard Administrator at Clackamas Community College and was updated on 05/15/2006.