---
title: "Creating a Discussion"
type: "article"
space: "Blackboard Ultra"
author: "Anh Lam"
created: 2022-10-31T17:58:52Z
updated: 2025-04-25T16:59:23Z
tags: ["blackboard-ultra", "conditionally-release-discussion-boards", "creating-content", "discussion", "discussion-boards", "discussion-folders", "folders", "setting-up-discussion-boards", "ultra"]
url: "https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/creating-content/15626/creating-a-discussion"
---

# Creating a Discussion

Discussions allow students to engage in asynchronous conversations with their classmates. They can be used to discuss course specific content such as asking questions, sharing ideas, and etc.

**Note:** Students cannot create discussion boards.

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### Setting Up a New Discussion

1. Select **Discussions.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=775X7OqzOvq4aFmYpgqxEQ%3D%3D)**
2. Select **New Discussion**. New Discussion panel is displayed.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=IGijH%2BuQIEpo2hDsxJIIfg%3D%3D)
3. Select the **title**to edit the name of the discussion.

    ![Screenshot of step 4 of Setting Up a New Discussion as explained on this page. ](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=FymSLIrfdNQ0RKdmtYKJuQ%3D%3D)
4. Select the **text box**to add a discussion prompt. **Note:**You can add images, online videos, and links to your announcement. See the [Using the Text Editor](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/creating-content/16173/using-the-text-editor "Using the Text Editor") article for more information.![Screenshot of step 5 of Setting Up a New Discussion as explained on this page. ](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=UM4ae7UEsug8Kmb2rTNGug%3D%3D)
5. Select **Save**.

![Screenshot of step 6 of Setting Up a New Discussion as explained on this page. ](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=%2Bht8Q%2B0B4Sai6fGS5QoV8Q%3D%3D)

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### Making a Discussion Gradable 

1. Select **Discussions.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=WifITs6voCZmqCnVcFN01A%3D%3D)**
2. Select the Discussion you want to make gradable.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=cqdJ37m%2FmLG80pDS%2F2fvEw%3D%3D)
3. Select the **gear icon**. The Discussion Settings panel is displayed.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=Zxe1pxHQZX12yruVZF4VcQ%3D%3D)
4. Select **Grade discussion** .![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=quQ%2BEeW%2F2BAiVya9S2PZAw%3D%3D)
5. Input the **Due Date**, **Grade category**, **Grade using**, **and Maximum points**. Learn more about Assessment Settings: [Customizing Assessment Settings](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/assessing-learning/16247/customizing-assessment-settings). 
![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=j8im32nsgQ92DOpO5ADAhw%3D%3D)
6. Select **Save**.

![Screenshot of step 6 of Making a Discussion Gradable  as explained on this page](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=ijY6Ebc4WsEC9brDE7bS6w%3D%3D)

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### To Edit or Delete a Discussion

1. Select **Discussions.**  **![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=LxAsCkFJ%2BNwGUOq81WkKuA%3D%3D)**
2. Navigate to the Discussion you want to edit/delete.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=AMNzy%2BTWJz%2BgbkVlSl%2FFDQ%3D%3D)
3. Select the **ellipsis**on the side of the Discussion. A drop-down is displayed.![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=sfqGq6lGwD%2FfP4o8y%2Bs6Aw%3D%3D)
4. Select **Edit** to edit the thread, or **Delete** to delete the thread.![Screenshot of step 4 of To Edit or Delete a Discussion as explained on this page](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=0Y1ORWMM86pwGcW%2F5Ar%2Fyw%3D%3D)

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### Using Folders to Organize the Discussion Area

You can create folders to organize your discussions.

1. Select **Discussions.**  **![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=TN2weed%2Bt95psdqIj4ugsA%3D%3D)**
2. Select **Add Folder.**The New Folder panel is displayed. ![](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=yezFXKza%2F4BqS4SCf%2FjmOA%3D%3D)
3. Select the **title** to input the name of the folder**. ![Screenshot of step 4 of Using Folders to Organize the Discussion Area as explained on this page](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=mBhaTDtX%2BttW3%2FBtend8tw%3D%3D)**
4. Select **Hidden from students** to change the visibility of the folder.![Screenshot of step 5 of Using Folders to Organize the Discussion Area as explained on this page](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=3RCJc11ZCdgOVwdRWlFJvg%3D%3D)
5. Select the **Description text box** and input a description. ![Screenshot of step 6 of Using Folders to Organize the Discussion Area as explained on this page](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=rvWzSp%2BPutGFApFK2L0eZA%3D%3D)
6. Select **Save**. The folder is displayed in the Discussion page. **Note:**You can move discussions into folders using your keyboard or the arrow icon. See the [Moving Items in the Content Area](https://employees.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/266/blackboard-ultra/articles/setting-up-your-course/15607/moving-items-in-the-content-area "Moving Items in the Content Area") article for more information. **Note:** Select the chevron icon to expand and see what's inside the folder. 
![Screenshot of step 7 of Using Folders to Organize the Discussion Area as explained on this page](https://employees.senecacollege.ca/attachment?file=ztaM8whSWU7aO4BIkgk8Dg%3D%3D)

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### Additional Resources

- [Discussions | Blackboard Help](https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Ultra/Interact/Discussions "Discussions")

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### Video

This short video covers discussions and takes a quick look at the features you may include such as group discussions, gradable discussion and etc.

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