Blackboard Quick Start Guide For Students
johnsonl@gram.edu

Using the Discussion Board:

• To use the discussion board, click on the particular class in the “My Courses” module on the welcome screen.
• Click Discussion Board on the left side of the screen.
• Click on the forum which you wish to use.
• To read messages from other students, click on the message subject.
• Post your own message by clicking on Add New Thread.
• Click Submit, and then OK.
• Your message is posted.
• If the text box area is missing
• In Internet Explorer’s security settings, make sure the setting from Run ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins are set to enable from the Internet zone.
• Alternatively, add the Blackboard site to the Trusted Sites zone. The trusted site configuration should have ActiveX enabled by default, and would allow you to enable this for only the Blackboard site.
• If you do not wish to use the Text box editor, you can disable it through Personal Information from the My Institution page (the page seen after logging in). This will use the smart text entry box that was used in previous Blackboard versions.

Hints for Responding to Discussion Threads:

• Don’t agree with everything.
• Don’t disagree with everything.
• Keep replies balanced.
• Replies should be useful.
• Attack arguments, NOT people.

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