Classes: Creating a Discussion Topic

Introduction

Create a topic where students can post original threads and reply to others' threads.

Instructions

Note: All Topics must belong to a Forum. Review the Creating a Discussion Forum tutorial.

1. Go into your Classes course, and in the blue navigation bar, click on Activities and select Discussions.
2. On the Discussions List page, click the New button and select New Topic from the drop-down menu.
3. Under Forum click on the drop-down arrow in the Choose a Forum field and choose the appropriate Forum.
   
4. If you select Group or section topic, a drop-down menu will appear.  Click on the arrow to select the appropriate Group or Section.
   • Note: If you choose an Open Topic you may change to a Group Topic as long as no one has posted to this Topic. If you choose a Group Topic you will not be able to change back to an Open Topic. You will have to create the Topic again.
5. Enter the Topic name in the Title field.
6. Enter instructions or prompt in the Description box.
7. Options can be set at the Forum or Topic level.  Any settings applied at the Topic level will apply only to that Topic.
   Directly under the Description box, you will see three check boxes to select one or more Options:
   • Allow students to post anonymous messages.
   • Require students to start a thread before they can read or reply to other threads in that topic.
   • Choose whether an instructor must approve all messages before they are posted.
   • 
8. You have completed the necessary steps for creating a Topic.  If you want to control when students will be able to see or post to a Forum, select the Restrictions tab. Instructions for restricting availability are included in the help section: Availability for Discussions.  Availability Options applied at the Topic level will apply only to that Topic.
9. Remember to choose one of the Save options at the bottom of the page.

Next Step: Adjusting Availability and Locking Options for Discussions