Modifying a Forum's Settings -- Video Instructions

Here's how to modify a particular discussion board forum's settings on the "Discussion Board" forums webpage.

• Video -- Discussion Board Creating and Editing

Modifying a Forum's Settings -- Written Instructions

1. Navigate to the "Discussion Board" webpage.
   Note the "Create Forum" button below.
   You don't need to click it,
   but it only appears on the "Discussion Board" forums webpage.
   
   
   
   
2. Trouble finding the "Discussion Board" forums webpage?
   
   Click to expand the "Course Tools" link
   under the "Control Panel" in the left-hand nav panel.
   Click "Discussion Board."
   Click the "Discussion Board" you want to look at.
   
   
3. Find the forum that has settings you need to change.
4. Hover over that forum with your mouse pointer.
5. Click the circled down arrow that appears next to the forum's name.
6. Click "Edit."
7. Enter a "Name" for the forum.
8. (OPTIONAL) Enter a "Description" for the forum.
   
   This is often a good place to list discussion questions or the topic or instructions for the forum.
   
   
9. Under "FORUM AVAILABILITY," set when the forum should be available to students.
   
   If you wish the forum to open and close to students at specific days and times:
   
   Select "Yes" next to "Available." ("Yes" is indeed what you want here.)
   And fill out the "Enter Date and Time Restrictions" section.
   Only select "No" next to "Available if the forum should absolutely not be available to students.
   
   
10. Under "FORUM SETTINGS," select "Standard View."
    
    Unless you want students to first create a thread or post in this forum before seeing other threads or posts.
    
    

11. Want to grade this forum? Click "Grade Discussion Forums."
    
    (A) "Grade Threads" is not recommended,
    and set up must be done again after each Bb Learn course copy.
    (B) Enter "Points possible."
    (C) Choose how many posts each student has to make,
    before the forum shows that it "Needs Grading" in Grade Center.
    (D) Do not bother with a "Due Date." It does nothing.
    (E) If you want use rubrics, Bb Learn Rubrics -- Overview

12. Want students to be able to subscribe by email to a forum?
    
    
    
    Do not allow subscriptions: You and your students cannot subscribe to the forum or threads in it.
    
    Allow members to subscribe to threads: You and your students can subscribe to threads in the forum, which means that if anyone posts anything in that thread,
    subscribers will get an email. You and your students will need to click the "SUBSCRIBE" button in each thread to which you want to subscribe.
    
    Allow members to subscribe to forum: You and your students can subscribe to the entire forum, which means that if anyone posts anything in any thread in that forum,
    subscribers will get an email. You and your students will need to click the "SUBSCRIBE" button in each thread to which you want to subscribe.
    
    Include body of post in the email: Subscribers will receive the entire text of the new message posted in the threads and/or forum to which they subscribe.
    
    Include link to post: Subscribers will only receive a link to the new message posted in the threads and/or forum to which they subscribe and not the text of the message.
    
    
13. Uncheck Allow Anonymous Posts. Enabling this feature may make it difficult to track class participation.
14. Uncheck Allow Author to Delete Own Posts. If enabled, students can delete their submissions after due dates or grading,  and tracking class participation can be difficult.
15. Uncheck Allow Author to Edit Own Published Posts. If enabled, students can change their submissions after due dates or grading,  and tracking class participation can be difficult.
16. Check Allow Members to Create New Threads (unless grading).
17. Check Allow File Attachments in posts or threads.
18. Check Allow Users to Reply with Quote. Allows students to quote previous post in their post.
19. Uncheck Force Moderation of Posts, so you do not have to review and approve all posts before they are published.
20. SKIP Allow Post Tagging. No one uses it. Allows students to add descriptive subject words or phrases (tags)  to facilitate searching or browsing the forum.
21. Uncheck Allow Members to Rate Posts. No one uses it & could lead to issues. Allows students to rate one another's posts.
22. Click "Submit."
23. Repeat these steps for each forum that has settings you want to change.