Discussions

Overview Introduction Composing Sending an Attachment Viewing Downloading an Attachment Replying

Introduction This is the Discussion icon. Discussions is used for communication between your peers and the instructor. Often, the instructor posts a question that is to be answered by students. Sometimes, students are required to post attachments for others to download and view.

Locating Discussions Discussions is typically in the “Communication Tools” section of the course, click to enter. Discussions is typically in the “Communication Tools” section of the course, click to enter.

Discussions To enter Discussions, click on the icon.

Discussions Overview Discussions has a three default folders. To compose a Discussion message, click “Compose Message”

Compose Message Composing a Discussion message is similar to Mail, except there is no “Send to” box. If needed use pull down menu and switch topic area, type in a subject and your message, using the HTML editor for spell check and fancier formatting options.

HTML Editor To save the HTML settings Windows scroll down and select “Update”; Macintosh users MUST click the floppy disk icon, then update. If using the HTML editor use the formatting options (similar to Word) to add bullets, alter text color, and even spell check.

Saving Attachment Sometimes you may need to send a document as an attachment. To do this save the document file as Rich Text by selecting “File”, then “Save as”, using the pull down menu for “Format” choose Rich Text Format.

Sending an Attachment To attach the file click the “Browse” button.

Sending an Attachment Locate the file on your computer, click on the name once to select, and click the “Open” button.

Sending an Attachment To finalize the process click the “Attach file” button.

Preview To preview your message click the “Preview” button.

Preview Click “Close” to exit.

Post To send click the “Post” button.

Viewing WebCT indicates new Discussion postings with green marks, click the icon to enter.

Viewing To view unread postings click the link for a Topic.

Viewing If you see a green triangle click on it to open the Subject.

Viewing To view the unread posting(s) click on the link for the message title.

Downloading To open the Attached file (if applicable) click the “See Attached” link.

Downloading Select the radio button next to the attached file name and click the “Download” button. Choose a location on your computer to save and then open the file via a word application.

Replying To reply to the message click “Reply” OR “Reply privately” if you do not want other class members to view it. Click “Download” to save the message as a text file on your computer.

Refresher Introduction Composing Sending an Attachment Viewing Downloading an Attachment Replying