How to Create a Discussion

Step 1: Access the Discussion Creation Area

1. Log in to D2L using your instructor credentials.
2. Navigate to your course homepage.
3. Click "Content" in the navigation bar.
4. Select the module for which you want to create a discussion.
5. Select "Create New" → "Discussion" to open the discussion creation panel.

Step 2: Set Up the Discussion Topic

1. Enter a Topic Title -- This is the name of the discussion topic students will see.
2. Set a Grade Out Of Value (Optional) -- If the discussion is graded, enter a numeric value.
3. Provide a Description -- Add instructions or context to guide students' responses.

Step 3: Choose a Forum for Your Topic

1. Click "Change Forum."
2. Select an existing forum or allow Brightspace to automatically create a new one.

Step 4: Configure Availability and Conditions

1. Expand the "Availability Dates & Conditions" accordion.
2. Set a Start Date and End Date to control when students can participate.
3. Click "Add Release Condition" to restrict access based on specific criteria (e.g., completing another activity first).
4. Set Group and Section Restrictions (Optional) -- Restrict the discussion to specific groups of students.

Step 5: Customize Participation and Completion Settings

1. Expand the "Post & Completion" accordion.
2. Choose Participation Settings:
   • Allow students to see all posts before participating or require them to post first before viewing peers\' responses.
3. Enable Post Approval (Optional):
   • Select "Posts must be approved before they display in the topic" if you want to moderate responses before they appear.

Step 6: Set Up Evaluation & Feedback

1. Expand the "Evaluation & Feedback" accordion.
2. Attach a Rubric (Optional):
   • Click "Add Rubric" to apply a grading rubric.
3. Manage Learning Objectives:
   • Click "Manage Learning Objectives" to associate objectives with the discussion.
   • If using the Learning Outcomes tool, click "Standards" instead.
4. Choose an Evaluation Method:
   • Enable "Allow evaluation of individual posts" if you want to grade each post separately.
   • Select a Calculation Method (e.g., highest-scoring post, average score).

Step 7: Finalize and Publish the Discussion

1. Set Topic Visibility:
   • Toggle the topic "Hidden" (students cannot see it) or "Visible" (students can participate).
2. Click "Save and Close" to finalize the discussion setup.