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Viewing discussions

On the main Discussions page, click on a topic to view the threads inside, and then click on a thread title to view its replies.

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Creating a thread

1. Click Discussions on the course navigation bar.
2. On the main Discussions page, click a topic. Topics are always organized under a forum.
3. Click Start a New Thread at the top of the page. Text fields and options for your new thread will appear.
4. Enter a subject for your message in the text field at the top.
5. Enter your Message in the text box below the subject. 
6. (Optional) Select one or more of the following options:
   
   • Post as Anonymous: Select this checkbox to post as Anonymous instead of yourself. This is only available if the instructor selected Allow anonymous messages when creating the topic.
   • Subscribe to this thread: Select this checkbox to have updates sent to your email or mobile phone if you set up notifications for discussions.
   • Click Add attachments to access the following options:
     
     • Add a File: Upload a file from your computer and attach it to the message.
     • Record Audio: Record audio of up to 1min and attach it as a .wav file to the message. See recording audio in myCourses.
7. Click Post.
   OR
   Click Save as Draft to save your message as a draft instead of posting it right away.

Posting a saved draft message

1. On the main Discussions page, click the topic you saved the draft in.
2. Click All Threads in the row above the messages, and select the checkbox beside Drafts. This will filter the page to show only your draft messages. 
3. Click the arrow beside the subject of your message and select Publish Draft.

4. In the pop-up window that appears, click Yes.

Replying to a message

1. Locate the thread or message you want to reply to.
2. Click Reply to Thread, OR click Reply at the bottom of the message you want to reply to.
3. Enter your Message.
4. (Optional) To include the original message's text in your reply, click Add original post text below the text box.
5. Click Post.

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Subscribing to discussions

You can Subscribe to discussions to notify you of any new messages posted in a forum, topic, or thread. When there are new messages in a forum, topic, or thread you subscribed to, a red dot will appear on the Subscriptions icon on the top toolbar. You can click this icon to view all new messages for the discussions you subscribed to.

In addition to these alerts, you can set up email and text notifications to receive an email or text every time a new message is posted in a forum, topic and thread you are subscribed to or a daily Summary of Activity notification for all subscribed discussions. See setting up email and text notifications in myCourses for more information.

Subscribing to a forum or topic

1. On the main Discussions page, click the arrow beside a forum or topic and select Subscribe.
2. In the pop-up window that appears, select a Notification Method:
   
   • Show notifications in minibar only: Shows new message alerts on the top toolbar of myCourses.
   • Send me an instant notification: Shows new message alerts on the top toolbar and receive email or text notifications if you set up notifications for discussions.
   • Include in my summary of activity: Shows new message alerts on the top toolbar and in your daily summary of activity if you signed up for a Summary of Activity in Notifications.
3. Click Subscribe.
4. If you selected to receive an instant notification or include the subscription in your summary of activity, click your name on the top toolbar and select Notifications to make sure these alerts are enabled.

Subscribing to a thread or message

1. On the main Discussions page, click the name of the topic containing the thread and message you want to subscribe to.
2. Click Subscribe below the subject of the thread or message. 
3. In the pop-up window that appears, click Subscribe.

Unsubscribing to discussions

1. On the main Discussions page, click Subscriptions at the top of the page.
2. Click Subscribed on the right side of the page beside the discussion forum, topic, or thread.
3. In the pop-up window that appears, click Yes.