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).
To create your Discussion on the Course Content page:
- Locate where you would like to add the discussion forum and select the plus sign > Create.
- On the Create Item panel, select Discussion.
To create your Discussion on the Discussion page:
- Select Discussions on the navigation bar at the top of your Blackboard page.
- At the top right of the page, click New Discussion button.
On the new Discussion page:
- On the New Discussion page, enter a meaningful and descriptive title.
- 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.
- 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.
- If you want to select release conditions, see Navigating Conditional Release.
- Set the discussion settings by selecting the settings icon (top-right corner). The Discussion Settings panel will open on the right.
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- Display on Course Content page: This option will allow you to include the discussion forum alongside other course content.
- Post First: Select Post first to hide discussion activity from students until they respond to the discussion.
- Prevent Editing: If you want prohibit students to edit their own posts, you can select this option.
- Allow anonymous responses and replies: If you want to allow anonymous posts, you can select this option.
- 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. - Group discussion: You can assign students to discussion groups.
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Generating Discussion Topics using AI Design Assistant
- 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.
- 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.
- You can also change output language from Advanced Options.
To allow students to create discussion topics:
- On the Navigation bar, select Discussions and then select the Settings icon (top-right corner).
- Select Allow students to create discussion topics.
NOTE: Student-created discussions appear on the Discussion page with the label “Created by student”. Students can delete their own discussions, but other options such as making it a group discussion or gradable are only available to instructors.
To edit or delete a discussion:
- On the Discussion page, open the Discussion’s menu (3 dots) > Edit/Delete.
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.
Organizing discussions in a folder
- 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.
Video
How to create Discussions– Blackboard Help video
Additional resources
Discussion – a Blackboard Help resource
Step-by-step guide
Use AI design assistant to generate discussion and journal topics