Blackboard Starter Kit for OISE Faculty
9. Let your Students Contribute
Let your students contribute content and discussion to the course
This information is also available in printable format via PDF download:
Although the course is controlled by the instructor in Blackboard, this doesn't mean that students can not contribute and be active participants. Blackboard give you a few interactive tools to allow your students to create content of their own and have a online dialog. The easiest way to do this in Blackboard is through the "Discussion Board" tool.
The Discussion Board
The Discussion Board tool is probably the most common tool that allows students to interact with the course. The Discussion Board is like a basic Bulletin Board System (BBS) which allow for topic "Threads" to be created and replied to or commented on. A Discussion Board Thread in Blackboard may look something like this:
The Discussion Board is not available to students by default. As the instructor, you must first create a Discussion Board "Forum" before your students can contribute.
The first step is to create a link to the Discussion Board area:
- Hover your mouse over the blue plus [+] button in your course menu. Select the "Create Tool Link" option.
- Type "Discussion Board" in the Name field. Select "Discussion Board" from the drop-down type menu. Check off the box "Available to Users". Click the "Submit" button.
- A new menu item called "Discussion Board" will appear at the bottom of your menu. Click and drag the little up/down arrows to re-order it's position in the menu if you'd like.
Now that you have created an outlet for your students to access the Discussion Board area, you need to create the "Forums", in which your discussion will take place. Once you click on the new Discussion Board link you just created, you will see a "Create Forum" button.
These "Forums" are not the specific discussion taking place, but think of them as folder areas to hold discussion topics. Only you as the instructor can create new Forums. You must create at least one Forum before your students can contribute.
Alternatives to the Blackboard Discussion Board
OISE has developed an alternative to the Blackboard Discussion Board called Connect to Create (C2C). If the Blackboard features do not work for you, or you would like some advanced discussion features, look at adding C2C to your course.
Blackboard has other interactive tools like Blogs, Journals, Wiki pages and a live chat tool. Please consult the PortalInfo site for more information on these interactive tools.
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8. Communicate with Students <- 9. Let Students Contribute -> 10. Further Assistance
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