Using the Discussions Tool
The discussion area in WebCT is organized into topics. This allows discussions to be grouped by particular subjects. In our class, the discussion is organized with one topic area to discuss each week.
To
gain access, click on the Discussion icon. Click the topic you
wish to post in. The first time, you'll be posting an introduction
to yourself in the Welcome topic.
Read a Message
- Click the hyperlink to the message. The message appears. Notice how it includes the name of the person who sent the message, along with the date and time that it was sent.
There are two types of comments you may post here. They are self-generated and reply comments. The following are instructions for how to post each:
Reply to a Message
- Click on a message and read it. Then click
. The Compose Message window appears.
- Type your message.
- Click
. The Discussion Messages
screen appears.
- Click
. Your
reply appears. If you don't see your original message, click
.
Compose a Message
- Click
.
The Compose Message window appears.
- Type your message. Be sure to include a subject.
- Click . The Discussion Messages
screen appears but you won't see your message yet. To see the
message, click .
Threaded vs. Unthreaded
- Click Threaded. When messages are displayed by threads, you'll see the subject of the thread, and then the original message on that subject. Beneath that you'll see any replies. Replies are indented.
- Click Unthreaded. Your messages are arranged in chronological order.
When you're finished, click 
on the left.
FYI: Emoticons
| :) | Happy person |
| :( | Sad person |
| :-) | Happy person with a nose |
| :-( | Sad person with a nose |
| :-D | Person laughing |