Course Participation Lesson Focus


Discussions forums, journals, blogs and wikis allow students to learn collaboratively and engage with new information.


After completing this lesson, the instructor will be able to:


  1. Explain the uses for discussion boards, journals, blogs and wikis.
  2. Identify the common settings between all four tools.
  3. Create, configure, and deploy a non-graded and graded discussion forum.
  4. Create and reply to a forum post.
  5. Create, configure, and deploy a non-graded and graded journal.
  6. Create and comment on a journal entry.
  7. Create, configure, and deploy a non-graded and graded blog.
  8. Create and comment on a blog entry.
  9. Create, configure, and deploy a non-graded and graded wiki.
  10. View wiki contributions and participation statistics.



Course Participation Resources


Review the following TCSG and Blackboard resources. NOTE: All links open in a new window.


TCSG Resources


Blackboard Resources


Disclaimer: All TCSG colleges currently use Blackboard's Original Course View. Some of the features and tools of Blackboard that are discussed in the Blackboard resources may not be available at your college. Check with your POC (Distance Ed Contact) for questions about tool availability.


Course Participation Video


This video will provide an overview of discussions and guide you through creating a forum and adding a discussion link to a content area for students to access easily.


NOTE: To view the video in full screen, select the Play button. At the bottom of the window, select the YouTube link. The video will open in YouTube in a new tab. Select the full screen button in the bottom-right corner of the video.