Discussions (MyLS Course Tool)
Discussions is a course tool in MyLS.
The discussions tool is an asynchronous communication and collaboration tool, meaning it is not in real time.
You can:
- read and reply to discussion postings on different topics,
- share thoughts or ask questions about the course,
- share files, or
- work in groups on assignments.
Overview
Forums are used to house discussion topics that are similar. For example, there might be several discussions in the first week of the course, so create a forum titled "Week One Discussions" for them.
Topics are where the discussion actually takes place. This is where students can post threads in response to a discussion prompt.
Threads are the initial comments added to a discussion topic.
Replies are responses posted to a specific discussion thread.
Start a New Discussion (Thread)
1. Click Discussions on the navigation bar.
2. Click the topic where you want to post.
3. Click the "Start a New Thread" button.
4. Provide a subject and enter your text. You can attach pictures or documents to your thread by clicking "Add Attachments" above the Post and Cancel buttons.
5. Click the Post button.
Reply in Discussions
1. Click Discussions on the navigation bar.
2. Click the topic where you want to post.
3. Click the thread's subject title.
4. Click the "Reply to Thread" button and enter your text.
5. Click the "Post" button.
1. Click Discussions on the navigation bar.
2. Click the topic where you want to post.
3. If a user has replied to a thread, you can reply to their response by clicking the "Reply" link under that particular post.
4. Click the "Reply to Thread" button and enter your text.
5. Click the "Post" button.
Availability and Locked Forums
Instructors can configure Discussion forums to have limited availability.
The dates that a discussion is available may be based on an assignment due date, or the course schedule. Only modules/topics that are currently available will be displayed in the Discussions List.
If an existing forum or topic is scheduled to become unavailable at a future date, you will see that date listed under the forum/topic title in your discussion list.
Individual topics may also be locked after a particular date. If this is the case, you will see the date range for which the topic is unlocked listed under the topic title. Once the topic is locked, you will still be able to view the threads, but you will no longer be able to reply or post to that topic.
Deleting or Editing Your Posts
Once you make a discussion post, you are not able to edit the text of your post.
You must contact your instructor to have your post edited or removed because only they have the ability to remove or edit an existing post.
Consider replying to your own thread to correct your error instead of having it removed.