Just like for groups, it is possible to create a discussion forum and separate topics for sections. This manual only explains how to create a forum and topics for section. Would you like to learn more about the Discussions function? Take a look at these manuals.
There are two ways to create a discussion forum and topics for sections. You can do this when first creating sections, or in the Discussions environment after creating sections.
Creating forums when creating sections
At the bottom of the page for creating sections, there are a few extra options. Would you like to learn more about creating sections in general? Take a look at this manual.
- Enable the option Set up discussion areas. A number of new options will appear.
- Choose in which forum you would like to place the topics. You can choose between existing forums in the course, or create a new forum via [New Forum]. If you choose to create a new forum, you will have to give the forum a name and optionally add a description.
- To link a topic to a forum, there are two options. If you choose Create new topic, a separate topic will be created for each section.
If you choose Attach to existing topic, you can link sections to a topic within an existing discussion forum. This option does not work as intended yet, so it is recommended to use the option Create new topic. - Click Create to go to the next screen.
- You can once again choose between two options. If you choose Create one topic per group, a topic will be created for each section. Options 2 and 3 will not be available in that case.
If you choose Create one topic separated by group, one topic will be created with in it a thread for each section. This is useful if you are dealing with the same topic in multiple sections, but want to create an area where each section can individually discuss this topic. This option does not work as intended yet, so it is recommended to use the option Create one topic per group. - Use Title to give the topic a name. This option is only available if you have chosen the option Create one topic with separate threads per group.
- Use Description to give the topic a description. This option is only available if you have chosen the option Create one topic with separate threads per group.
- Finally, click Create and Next to save and create the sections and corresponding discussion forum and topics.
Further adjustments to the discussion forum and the topics are made via the Discussions function.
Creating forums for sections via Discussions
Creating discussion forums for sections is done via the Restrictions tab that appears when creating a forum. This manual only discusses the options that are unique to sections. Take a look at this manual for more information on creating discussion forums.
- Give the discussion forum a name and description and enable the options you would like to use. Next, click the tab Restrictions.
At the bottom of the tab you will find the restrictions for groups and sections.
- Enable the option Restrict this forum to the following groups and sections.
- Click Add Groups and Sections.
3. At Group or Section Category, select Sections.
4. Select all sections and click Add.
Finally, click Save and Close at the bottom of the page to save everything and create the discussion forum.
It is also possible to give each section their own discussion forum. Only the selected section will have access to this forum and the underlying topics and threads. To do this, only select the desired sections at Add Groups and Sections. Next, click Save and Close. You will need to repeat the above steps for each section, to create a separate discussion forum for each section.