My instructor is asking us to use Discussions, how do I do that? (either scroll down through page or select from one of the following quick links)
About Discussions
Viewing a Discussion message
Posting a message
To view an Attachment

> I am registered for a WebCT course, how do I log in?
> I have to email my instructor, how do I use Mail?
> My instructor is asking us to use Discussions, how do I do that?
> How do I add an attachment to Mail or Discussions?
> My instructor said we can forward WebCT mail to our hotmail/yahoo, etc., account, how do I do this?
> We have to do a class chat, how do I do that?
> How do I submit my homework using the Drop box or Assignments?
> How do I add a PowerPoint presentation to the Student Presentation area?
> I have to introduce myself in the Homepage area, how can I do this?
> I am doing my first quiz in WebCT, what should I know?
> Saving a PowerPoint presentation as a web page (for Windows)
> Saving a PowerPoint presentation as a web page (for Macintosh)
> How do I fill out a WebCT Problem Report so I can get some help?
> Is it a good idea to have more than I browser to use with WebCT? If so, how can I download more?

About Discussions :
Discussions is used most often by instructors as a place to interact by posting a question in a specific "forum" (area) which is to be answered by either an individual or group of students. Each instructor may use Discussions in a different way, but the process of composing/posting/viewing a message, as well as opening an attachment will be the same.

Viewing a discussion message:
Log into your WebCT course and go to WebCT Discussions (usually it is located in the course section for Communication tools)

Click on Discussions to enter.

Enter into a topic area, otherwise known as a "forum" (in this sample there are only 3 areas, but your instructor may have added content specific ones as well).

If you see a green arrow by the the subject header of a message, click on it to open the message folder.

Click directly on the text linked title of the message to view.

NOTE: under the status column may be an image of a letter and/or a paper clip. The closed envelope indicates an unread message while the paper clip shows there is an "attachment" sent with the message (scroll down further in this tutorial to read how to open an attachment).

Posting a Message:
Either click "Reply" to an already opened message, click "Compose message" button once you have already entered a specific topic area OR click "Compose message" button from outside of the topics area (as the following image shows).

Use the pull down menu next to "Topic:" to verify/choose the correct topic area in which you want the message to be posted.

Type in a Subject header as well as your discussion message. Click "Post" at the lower left of the message box to post the message.

NOTE: for snazzier messages you can use the HTML editor, by clicking the HTML editor button under the message box - wait for it to load (if you are Macintosh user you MUST click on the floppy disk icon in the upper left corner of the editor in order to save work).

To view an Attachment :
Enter a Discussion message, click the link for "See Attached".

Select the radio button next to the file name and click the Download button. Save the file to your desktop or myDocuments folder. Once downloaded double click to open attached file.

Return to Main Tutorial Menu