Create Private Discussions for Student Journaling

Creating private groups with restricted discussion areas can provide students an outlet for writing reflective journals.

To Create a Private Group

1. Click on [Collaboration] on the navbar and choose [Groups].
   
   
2. Click on the [New Category] button.
   
   
   
3. Give the category a name and add an optional description.
   
   
   
4. Click the [drop-down menu] under Enrollment Type, and select [Single user, member-specific groups].
   
   
   
5. In the Additional Options area, click the box to [Set up discussion areas].
   
   
   1. Click the forum [drop-down menu] to select an existing forum to associate the restricted discussion to, or click [New Forum] to create a new forum.
   2. Select [Create new topic] to create a new restricted topic.
   3. Select [Attach to existing topic] if a topic has already been created.
      
      

      NOTE: This option is only available for topics that have no posts or group restrictions enabled.

6. Click [Save].

To Create Restricted Topics

1. Select [Create one topic with threads separated by group].
   
   
2. Edit the Title of your topic.
   
   
3. Add a description with instructions or a prompt for students to follow.
   
   
4. Click [Create and Next].
   
   
   

   NOTE: Once you click Create and Next, these options cannot be changed.

5. Click [Done].
   
   

To View Discussion Topics and Associate to a Grade Item

1. Click on [Collaboration] → [Discussions], and scroll down to the restricted topic.
   
   
2. Click the arrow beside the topic and select [Edit Topic].
   
   
   
3. Click the [Assessment] tab.
   
   
   1. Click the drop-down menu under Grade Item to select an existing grade item to associate the discussion to, or click [New Grade Item] to create a new grade item.
      
      
   2. Input a value in the Score Out Of field.
      
      
      
4. To assess each journal entry individually, check the box to Allow assessment of individual posts.
   • Click the [Select a calculation method] drop-down menu.
     
     
     
5. To assess the entire collection of journal entries, leave the Allow assessment of individual posts box unchecked.