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Posting to Discussion Forums in Moodle

Posting a Discussion

A Discussion within a forum is the start of a new Topic or the posing of a question that solicits replies from other students and/or your instructor. 

You may use Discussions in a forum to:
  • Start a new conversation by posting your own topic or question.
  • View other students’ Topics and Replies.
  • Reply to your instructor or other students. 

How to Post a Discussion

To start a conversation in a forum, use the button that reads “Add a new discussion” which appears below the forum description/instructions.

forumicon Forums

After clicking the Add a new discussion button:

  1. A new page will load with the forum description at the top of the page.
  2. Compose your post and subject in a separate document and save it to your computer for safekeeping and a personal record.
  3. Copy the content from your document into the Subject and Message text boxes within Moodle.           
  4. Ensure the Discussion subscription box is checked if you want to be subscribed, or unchecked if you do not want email notifications.
  5. Attach any relevant files to the forum.
  6. Click the “Post to forum” button at the bottom of the page.
  7. You have 30 minutes to make any changes to your post before it will lock.

mso_forum_addyourdiscussion

advforumicon Open Forums (prev. Moodlerooms Forums)

After clicking the Add a new discussion button:

  1. A web form will appear below the forum description.
  2. Compose your post and subject on a separate document and save it to your computer for safekeeping and a personal record.
  3. Copy the content from your document into the Subject and “Type your post” text boxes within Moodle. NOTE: If you are NOT using the default text editor and you opt to enable the advanced editor, you may lose the content you’ve entered.
  4. Click the “Submit” button.
  5. You have 30 minutes to make any changes to your post before it will lock. 

mso_advforum_addyourdiscussion  

Posting a Reply

A Reply in a Forum is a response to an existing Discussion Topic or Question. Generally a forum will have more replies than discussions.

You may use forum replies to:
  • Make responses in other students’ Discussion Topics.
  • Receive feedback or responses from other students.
  • Respond to a question posed by your instructor or other students. 

How to Post a Reply

  1. Enter the forum.
  2. Click into the Discussion Topic that interests you by clicking on its subject.
  3. Locate the actual post you wish to respond to. There will be one or more links and/or buttons at the bottom; click on the Reply link.
  4. Enter your reply in the Message box; the Subject is optional.
  5. If you want to be kept aware of further posts in this Discussion, check the Discussion Subscription checkbox. However, this step is optional.
  6. When ready, click the Post to forum button.