Managing Topics in Your Discussions

Adding a topic
When you add a topic it automatically becomes a public topic.

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• Select Add and type the topic name in the text box.
• Click Go.

Renaming a topic

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• Select Rename. From the drop-down list, select the topic that you want to rename.
• Type the new name in the text box.
• Click Go.

Deleting a topic

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• Select Delete. From the drop-down list, select the topic that you want to delete.
• Click Go.

Creating a private topic
To create a private topic, you first add the topic, and then assign it private status. Next, you assign members to
it.

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• Select Add and type the topic name in the text box.
• Click Go. The new topic appears in the Topic Settings table.
• In the Topics Settings table, select the Private checkbox adjacent to the topic that you want to make
  private. Click Update.
• Under Manage Topics, select Manage members, and then select the topic from the Select topic
  drop-down list.
• Click Go. The Private Topic screen appears.
• Click Select Members. The Member Selection screen appears.
• Select the members by clicking in their Status check box
• Click Update. The Private Topic screen appears with a table containing the members.
• Click Done.

Changing a public topic to a private topic

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• In the Topic Settings table, select the Private check box adjacent to the topic that you want to make
  private.
• Click Update.

Allowing anonymous postings to a topic
This allows message writers to choose whether they want to post a message anonymously.

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• In the Topic Settings table, select the Anonymous check box adjacent to the topic in which you want to
  allow anonymous postings, and then click Update.

Locking a topic
When a topic is locked no further messages can be posted to it.

• From the Discussions screen, click Manage Topics. The Manage Topics screen appears.
• In the Topic Settings table, select the Locked check box adjacent to the topic you want to lock.
• Click Update.

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Instructional Tips for the Discussion Topics/Forums

• Dividing students up into smaller groups creates higher levels of interaction. We recommend 5-7 functioning/active/committed people each group.
• This tool can help you meet the AVLL standard for addressing the relational basis of learning. Remember your course should have:
  • a design for interaction between learner and content
  • a design for interaction between learner and learner
  • a design for interaction between learner and teacher
  • a design for interaction between learner and self (reflection)
  • a design for interaction between learner and the community (includes service)