Before you can create a Discussion Topic, you have to have created a Discussion Forum first. See Create a Discussion Topic document.
Create a Discussion Topic
Select COURSE ADMIN then DISCUSSIONS
Select the NEW button and select NEW TOPIC
First step is to Choose a Forum which is why we have to create a forum before we can create a topic.
Select the down arrow next to Choose a forum and select the forum (or folder) where you want to put the topic.
For a whole class discussion, leave the Open topic, everyone can access this topic and its content selected.
Create a TITLE
In Description, write the instructions or prompt for this discussion in this space. You can add video, images, and URLs to the prompt.
Under OPTIONS, determine if you want to require students to start a thread before they can read and replay to other threads.
MAKE THE DISCUSSION AVAILABLE FOR A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD
Scroll back up to the top of the page and select RESTRICTIONS tab
There is no Due date on a Discussion Topic. You have two options:
AVALABILITY = time period during which students can see AND respond to a discussion post
LOCKING OPTIONS= time period during which students can respond to the discussion
Best practice if you want a DUE DATE is to select Unlock topic for a specific date range. Then select a start date of now and then put an end date of when the discussion is due.
Connect the Discussion Topic to a Grade Item
Before you continue this document, according to best practices, you should go to the Grades Tool and add the Grade Item. If you need support to do that, please see the Create a Grade Item at https://snhu.screenstepslive.com then select the Brightspace manual.
Select the ASSESSMENT tab at the top of the Edit Topic page
From the Grade Item field, select the name of the Grade Item you want to connect to this discussion topic.
Enter how many points the discussion topic will be worth.
Now select SAVE and CLOSE button
On the Discussion home page, you should see your Discussion topic listed and there are icons that give us info about that item.
1. Class Discussions in the image below is the title of the DISCUSSION TOPIC in my course.
2. Practice is the name of the Discussion Topic
3. The bag with a key hole icon indicates unlocked and locked dates for this Discussion Topic.
4. There is also a key hole icon that indicates that this Discussion Topic is connected to a Grade Item.
