The following instructions show how to use the Discussion Board in Blackboard to create a discussion thread.

1. Click the Discussion Board button located in the navigation bar on the left side of your screen. (You can also click the Communication button, and then click the Discussion Board option, but this method requires an extra step).
2. Click the title of the appropriate Discussion Board Forum (e.g., Week 1: Assignment 1 - Online Assignment - The Starbucks Case).
3. Click the Add New Thread button. The Message form opens, with Subject and Message boxes, and options for formatting your message and including a file attachment.
4. Enter a few key words or phrase to describe the contents of your message in the Subject text box (e.g. Business Report for Starbucks).
5. Click the Message text box (or press the [Tab] key).
6. Type in your response to the assignment question into the Message text box. Blackboard 6.1 has a built-in editor, which allows you to easily format your posts. It works much like Microsoft Word. For example, you can use the familiar toolbar buttons in this editor to change the font size and color, align, indent, italicize, bold, underline, along with the ability to add tables, number steps, and bulleted items. In addition, you can highlight text and link it to a Web site using the Hyperlink button. You can also spell check your posts by clicking the ABC button. For for additional details on using this built-in editor, click the help ? icon.
7. To check your message before posting it to the Discussion Board, click the Preview button. The Preview page appears, displaying your post. Click the Okay button.  If you spotted a problem, make the necessary corrections, and then click the Submit button. The Discussion Board appears, with your message subject header. Tip: Always err on the side of politeness. Written communication is "one-dimensional" and can be misunderstood easily. Use "emoticons," such as a happy face :-) or a winking face ;-) to indicate you are happy or joking.

1. Go to the Forum containing the post you wish to respond to.
2. Click on the subject header. (Note: If you click the author's name in the second column of the Discussion Board, your email client will open, displaying a blank message addressed to the author. You can use this option to send a private email to the person. However, if you accidentally click the person's name, simply close the email window and you will be returned to the Discussion Board.)
3. After reading the post, click on the Reply button. Notice that the subject text box is already filled in with a subject header (e.g., Re: Business Report for Starbucks). You can leave this subject heading, edit it, or type in a new one, depending on the purpose of your reply.
4. Type a response in theMessage text box. You can use the built-in editor to format your post. Be sure to spell check your post by clicking the ABC button. For for additional details on using this built-in editor, click the help ? icon. Note that the original posting you are responding to appears below the Message text box. You can copy and paste a portion of the original posting, if you want to reply to specific statements.
5. Click the Preview button. Click the OK button. If your response looks satisfactory, click the Submit button, otherwise click the Back button to make any necessary changes before posting the message to the Discussion Board. Your reply is indented beneath the original author's post, indicating that it is a response. As other participants reply to your post and the original posting, a hierarchical tree will appear, revealing the "branches" of the discussion thread.

1. Go to the Forum containing the post you want to modify.
2. Click on the Subject header of the message. The message appears, along with several options.
3. Click the Modify button.
4. Make the necessary corrections to the post.
5. Click the Preview button. Click the OK button. If the message looks fine, click the Submit button (otherwise,  make any necessary changes before posting your revised message). Note: You can only modify your own postings.

1. Go to the Forum containing the post you want to remove. Note that you can only delete the posts you have created.
2. Click on the Subject header of the post you want to remove. The post appears.
3. Click the Remove button. A dialog box appears, warning you that if you remove the message, you won't be able to get back. You can click the Cancel button, if you change your mind about removing a post.
4. Click the OK button and the Discussion Board will refresh, and your post will be gone. Note: The instructor (or a designated Forum administrator) has the ability to remove any post.