If you want the discussion to be a graded activity, follow
these steps:
1. Log onto Blackboard at http://bb.elmhurst.edu.
2. Under Courses you are teaching,click
the link of the desired course.
3. Click the "Control Panel"
button (the bottom-most button located to the left of the
screen).
4. From the Control Panel page, click on the "Online
Gradebook" link.
5. From the Online Gradebook page, click on the "Spreadsheet
View" link.
6. Create a gradebook entry for the discussion activity
by clicking on the Add Item button. When the "Add Gradebook
Item" page appears, type a brief name in the "Enter
Item Information" box. Then select the type of activity,
enter the points for the discussion activity, choose whether
you want the gradebook entry to be visible to students at
this time in the course, and finally click "Submit"
at the bottom of the screen.
7. Note: Be sure that the learning module contains instructions
and a purpose for participating in the discussion and that
the schedule of assignments also refers to the discussion
activity.
8. Read the discussion regularly and reply to the entire
group's messages in the discussion forum itself or via email
to one member if the reply is private. (A teacher can also
modify the discussion forum and block the participation
of a participant who is not respectful or others in the
group.)
9. Enter a grade in the gradebook soon after the deadline
for participation.
Tip: When evaluating students' participation in a group,
open two browser windows. Use one to read comments by students.
Use the other to enter grades in the gradebook. It may also
help you to click the "Show Options" button in
the discussion forum, check the "Select All" option,
and then the "Collect" option to see all responses
by all students rather than just the discussion comments
in one discussion thread.
