Summary Part One: Examples of interaction with LMS discussion - - PDF document

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Underutilized LMS Features: Discussion Boards and Tests with Feedback

Presented by: Dr. Kathy Zanin The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, Biology Department

Summary

• Part One: Examples of interaction with LMS discussion

boards

• Part Two: Using the test tool with feedback to prepare

students for lab or lecture

• Part Three: Imagine how you might use these features in

your own classroom.

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Learning Objectives

• Edit posts to teach the whole class using one student post as

a resource

• Add photos, illustrations, and active links to discussion

board posts

• Create an LMS “test” with feedback to prepare students for

lab or lecture

• Adjust test settings to allow students to try again, based
• n feedback, if they miss a question

Part One

Discussion Board

• WebCT
• Blackboard
• Blackboard Learn (CitLearn)

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Example #1: Editing Posts Blackboard Log In

• Thread: Archaea and Eubacteria – 2 replies needed
• Hover over the post to make the edit button appear
• Use the drop-down menu to see all editing tool icons

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Example #2 How to add links and pictures to discussion board posts.

• Thread: Thermophiles and Hyperthermophiles

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Links Pictures

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Part Two

Using “Tests” with Feedback to Prepare Students for Lab or Lecture

Lab Preparation/Homework

• Example: Photosynthesis Lab, Question #4

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Test Settings

• Hover beside the name of

the test, and use the drop- down menu to select “Edit the Test Options”

• I like to allow 2 Attempts, so

students can use my feedback and try again.

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When Answers Feedback

Test Settings

• I like to let students see my feedback as soon as they submit
• I do not reveal the correct answers until all students have been

graded.

Part Three

Small group brainstorming 5 minutes – then regroup

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Discussion Board Questions

• 1. How would I use the discussion board in one of my

classes?

• 2. What would my forum subjects be?

Test Questions

How could I use “tests” with feedback?

• What elements of my course could be enriched using this

type of preparation?

• What kind of feedback would help clear up common

misconceptions?

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Supplemental Info

• For participants who have never used LMS

Discussion Board or Tests before, some basic “how to” info follows

Discussion Board Terms

• https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Instructor/Interact/Discussions/Create_Disc

ussions

• Discussion Board - a page that displays a list of forums.
• Forums - pages where participants discuss groups of related
• topics. Within each forum, users or the instructor can create

multiple threads.

• Thread – a list of posts that includes an initial post/question

and all replies to it.

• Post/Reply – A single entry made by one person

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• 1. Select the “+” icon from the top of

the main menu

• 2. Choose “Add Tool Link”
• 3. Give your Discussion Board a name
• 4. Select “Discussion Board” from the

drop-down menu under “Type”

1. 2. 3. 4.

Add a Discussion Board on the Course’s Main Menu

Adding a Forum to the Discussion Board

• Select the “Discussion Board” link from the main

menu

• Choose “Create Forum”
• Give your Forum a name
• Scroll down to adjust the forum’s setting as you want

them.

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Adding Threads to a Forum

• Select the “Discussion Board” link from the main menu
• Select a forum title from the list
• Select “Create Thread”
• Give your thread a descriptive “subject” title
• Type your prompt in the textbox

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Type a descriptive title here Type your prompt/question here

Adding a “test”

1.

Add a new “content page” on the main menu, or select an existing content page to house your new test/s. I named this one “Preparation Assignments;” then choose your content page from the main menu

2.

Choose the “Assessments” tab

3.

Select “Test” and then select the “Create” button, and give your test a

• name. I named this one “prep for something.”

4.

Add the test to the content page by choosing “Assessments” and selecting the new test from the list that appears.

5.

Hover beside the name of the test to make a drop-down menu appear, and then select the “Edit the Test” option to add questions.

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1. 2. 3.

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• 5. Hover to make this appear

4.