Blackboard (Students) - Discussion Boards: Best Practices for Posting
This document describes best practices for online discussions.
- Be mindful of course deadlines for original posts and replies.
- End every post by signing off with your name.
- When replying to classmates or instructors, address them by name.
- Make your subject lines meaningful and precise. For example, instead of saying, "My Thoughts" you might say, "Why Chapter 1 Convinced Me to Stay in School." This not only grabs the attention of your classmates and instructor, but it also helps them remember who said what.
- Re-read your draft before posting. Is your writing clear? Is it addressing the prompt?
- Always be respectful. When in doubt, follow these simple etiquette rules of online communication.
- If you are replying to a specific statement someone made, use the "Quote" button. This lets other people see exactly what you are referring to and keeps the author's original words intact.
- Remember, discussions aren't meant for everyone to simply agree with one another. If you don't agree, say so; but do your best to explain yourself without attacking someone's character. Instead, use reputable sources, like your textbook, to back up your claims.