Discussions - Managing Topics

What do you want to do?

• add a topic
• rename a topic
• create a private topic
• change a public topic to a private topic
• add members to a private topic
• view members of a private topic
• allow anonymous postings to a topic
• lock a topic
• move a topic up in the table
• move a topic down in the table
• delete a topic

Adding a topic | Top

Note: When you add a new topic, it is automatically set as a public topic.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. Under Options, click Create topic. The Create Topic screen appears.
3. In the Topic name text box, enter the name for the new topic.
4. Click Create. The Discussions screen appears and the new topic is displayed in the Discussions table.

Renaming a topic | Top

Note: You cannot rename a topic that is associated with a presentation group.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, select the topic you want to rename.
3. Under Options, in the Rename topic text box, enter a new name for the topic.
4. Click Go. The Discussions screen refreshes and the topic is renamed.

Creating a private topic | Top

To create a private topic, first add the topic, then assign it private status, and then assign members to the private topic. Note: Only assigned members can view and post messages to a private topic.

Add the topic:

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. Under Options, click Create topic. The Create Topic screen appears.
3. In the Topic name text box, enter the name for the new topic.
4. Click Create. The Discussions screen appears and the new topic is displayed in the Discussions table.

Assign the private status:

6. In the table, under Private, select the check box that corresponds to the topic you just created.
7. Click Update. The Discussions screen refreshes and the status of the topic is updated.

Assign members to the private topic:

8. In the table, select the private topic you just created.
9. Under Options, click Manage members. The Private Topic screen appears.
10. Click Select members. The Member Selection screen appears.
11. Select the members you want to add to the private topic:
    • To select members individually, select each member.
    • To select all members, select Status.
    • To select all members copied to the clipboard, click Paste records. For more information, see Copying and pasting student records.
12. Click Update. The Private Topic screen appears displaying the topic's members in a table.
13. Click Done. The Discussions screen appears.

Changing a public topic to a private topic | Top

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, under Private, select the check box that corresponds to each topic that you want to make private.
3. Click Update. The Discussions screen refreshes and the status of the topic(s) is updated.

Adding members to a private topic | Top

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, select the private topic to which you want to add members.
3. Under Options, click Manage members. The Private Topic screen appears.
4. Click Select members. The Member Selection screen appears.
5. Select the members you want to add to the private topic:
   • To select members individually, select each member.
   • To select all members, select Status.
   • To select all members copied to the clipboard, click Paste records. For more information, see Copying and pasting student records.
6. Click Update. The Private Topic screen appears displaying the topic's members in a table.
7. Click Done. The Discussions screen appears.

Viewing members of a private topic | Top

Note: Depending on administrator settings, students may not be able to view the members of their private topics.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, select the private topic that you want to view.
3. Under Options, click Manage members. The Private Topic screen appears with a list of all members in the topic.
4. Click Done. The Discussions screen appears.

Allowing anonymous postings to a topic | Top

When a topic is assigned an anonymous status, individuals have the choice of whether or not to post messages to that topic anonymously.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, under Anonymous, select the check box that corresponds to each topic that you want to make anonymous.
3. Click Update. The Discussion screen refreshes and the status is updated.

Locking a topic | Top

When a topic is locked, no further messages can be posted to it.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, under Locked, select the check box that corresponds to each topic that you want to lock.
3. Click Update. The Discussion screen refreshes and the status is updated.

Moving a topic up in the table | Top

You may want to reorganize topics in the Discussions table after adding them. Use this action to move a topic up in the table.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, select the topic that you want to move up.
3. Under Organize, from the Move item up by drop-down list, select the number of places to move the topic up.
4. Click Go. The Discussions screen refreshes and the topic is in its new location.

Moving a topic down in the table |Top

You may want to reorganize topics in the Discussions table after adding them. Use this action to move a topic down in the table.

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. Click the Designer Options tab if it is not already selected.
3. In the table, select the topic that you want to move down.
4. Under Organize, from the Move item down by drop-down list, select the number of places to move the topic down.
5. Click Go. The Discussion screen refreshes and the topic is in its new location.

Deleting a topic | Top

1. From the Course Menu, click Discussions. The Discussions screen appears.
2. In the table, select each topic you want to delete.
3. Under Options, click Delete topic. A warning message appears.
4. Click OK. Each selected topic, and all of its associated messages, is deleted.

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