Open Discussions

To view class discussions, click the Discussions link in Course Navigation.

Click the name of a discussion.

View Discussion

A discussion displayed in the Discussions Redesign interface includes three sections:

1. The discussion toolbar
2. The discussion topic
3. The discussion replies

View Discussion Toolbar

The discussion toolbar remains at the top of the discussion topic when you are viewing discussion replies.

1. To search for replies or specific authors, enter your terms in the search field.
2. To filter replies, click the Filter drop-down menu.
   • You can filter by all replies or unread replies.
3. To sort replies by newest or oldest, click the Sort button.

View Anonymous Discussion Message

If the discussion is an anonymous discussion, a message displays noting that your name and profile picture will be hidden from other course members.

View Discussion Topic

The discussion topic section includes important information about the discussion including

1. The discussion title
2. The discussion description
3. Author Name
4. User roles label for TAs and Teacher (instructor) roles
5. Date and time the discussion was published
6. Due date
7. Number of points possible
8. Number of Replies

Note: If the discussion is an anonymous discussion, student names and profile pictures do not display. Posts created by the instructor display the instructor's name and profile picture.

View Discussion Options

1. To view the Options menu for a discussion, click the Options icon.
2. To mark all replies as read, click the Mark All as Read link.
3. To view the discussion rubric, click the Show Rubric link.

Note: If the Show Rubric link does not display in the Options menu, a rubric has not been added to the discussion by your instructor.

View Discussion Replies

Discussion replies display below the discussion topic.

View Discussion Thread Replies

When viewing discussion thread replies, you can collapse and expand the discussion thread replies sidebar. When a discussion thread reply is collapsed, you can view the reply indicators showing the number of unread and total replies

1. To expand the discussion thread replies sidebar, click the # of replies link.
2. View the read and unread replies.
3. To view older replies, click the Show older replies link.  
4. To view threaded replies options, click the Options icon.
   • You can mark replies as read/unread, mark threaded replies as read/unread, return to the topic, or report discussion replies.
5. To collapse the discussion thread replies sidebar, click the Close icon.

View Discussion with Required Replies

If you are unable view responses from other students, you may be required to make a reply before you can view them. Once you reply to the discussion, any other replies will be visible.

View Group Discussion

If a discussion is a group discussion, you will be directed to Discussions in your group.

View Rich Content Editor

When creating or editing discussion topics or replies, you will enter and edit your content using the Rich Content Editor. The Rich Content Editor allows you to format text, link text to course or external content, insert media, and attach files.