Creating Discussions in Blackboard Ultra

What is a Discussion in Blackboard?

A discussion is a place for the class to discuss certain topics, post ideas, and carry a conversation asynchronously. You can create Discussions in the Discussions area of the course, or directly on the Course Content area.  You can also allow students to create their own discussion topics by updating the Discussion Settings (default is off). Learn more about discussions at this link to Anthology’s Blackboard Help site, as well as in the video below.


 

How do I create a Discussion from the Course Content Area?

  1. Locate where you would like to add the discussion forum and select the plus sign > Create.
    The drop-down menu from the plus-sign in the course content area.
  2. On the Create Item panel, select Discussion.
    The discussion item found on the Create Item panel under 'Participation and Engagement'.

How do I create a Discussion on the Discussion page?

  1. Select Discussions on the navigation bar at the top of your Blackboard page.
    The 'Discussions' tab at the top of the page beside Calendar and Gradebook.
  2. At the top right of the page, click New Discussion button.
    A red square around the 'New Discussion' option in the top right corner of the screen.

How do I edit the settings for a Discussion?

  1. On the New Discussion page, enter a meaningful and descriptive title.
    A red square around the pencil icon beside the Discussion title to enter a title.
  2. In the Text Editor, enter the discussion topic as well as any other relevant instructions. For tips on how to use the Text Editor, see Using the Text Editor.
    Text Editor on New Discussion page, where you and students can add and style text, attachments, math, images, media and videos.
  3. New discussions are hidden by default. To make the discussion visible to students, select Hidden from students (top-right corner). A drop-down menu will appear, select Visible to students.
    A red arrow pointing to the 'Hidden from students' drop down menu, where you can make the activity visible to students or set release conditions.
  4. If you want to select release conditions, see Navigating Conditional Release.
  5. Set the discussion settings by selecting the settings icon (top-right corner). The Discussion Settings panel will open on the right.
      1. Display on Course Content page: This option will allow you to include the discussion forum alongside other course content.
      2. Post First: Select Post first to hide discussion activity from students until they respond to the discussion.
      3. Prevent Editing: If you want prohibit students to edit their own posts, you can select this option.
      4. Allow anonymous responses and replies: If you want to allow anonymous posts, you can select this option.
      5. Grade Discussion: You can make the discussion count for a grade. When you choose to grade a discussion, Blackboard ULTRA will prompt you to choose a due date, the grade category, format, and the maximum points.
        NOTE: when you enable grading for a discussion, a column is automatically created in the Gradebook.
      6. Group discussion: You can assign students to discussion groups.

How do I use the AI Design Assistant to create Discussion topics?

  1. The auto-generate discussion button offers a list of potential discussion topics for you to choose from, which you can edit, and use, powered by AI Design Assistant.A red arrow pointing to the 'Auto-generate discussion' button at the top of the page, beside the 'Hidden from students' drop-down menu.
  2. Choose a desired cognitive level among Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create, or let AI select a level by choosing the “Inspire me!” option. Adding a description, selecting the course items, and choosing an appropriate cognitive level can increase the likelihood of AI generating more usable discussion topics. You can also set the complexity and select the option to generate a title.
    The drop-down menu for setting the desired cognitive level for the discussion, including apply, analyze, evaluate, create and inspire me.

Learn more about auto-generating discussions here.

Can I edit and/or delete a Discussion once I’ve made it?

Yes, you can!

  1. On the Discussion page, open the Discussion’s menu (3 dots) > Edit/Delete.
    The drop-down menu accessible from the ellipsis beside the discussion, which allows you to edit or delete the discussion.
  2. You can delete an entire discussion along with all the responses and replies, or you can choose to delete specific responses and/or replies. When you enter the discussion, you can clikc on the ellipsis (…) beside a post or reply to either edit or delete it.
    Red squares around the edit and delete options when you click on the ellipsis beside a discussion post or reply.

How can I organize my Discussions in Blackboard?

  1. If you go to the discussions tab from the top menu, you have an option to organize discussions in folders. If your course has many discussions, it is a good idea to organize them in this way so that it is easy to find the topic.
    The option to add folder from the discussions tab. 

 

Need support? Contact the Innovative Learning Support Centre. We are here to help!

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