How to participate in class Blogs in Blackboard

Quick guide for students

Class blogs are a type of Discussion topic which allows participants to post a chronological series of entries on a particular topic in a collaborative space.

Access a class blog message
Sort messages by date or author
Create and post a class blog message
Post a comment to a class blog
Edit and post a draft class blog message or comment

Access a class blog message

1. Click on Discussions in the Course Tools menu.
   
2. Click on a blog topic to view posted message(s).
3. Click on the Comments button to read all the posted comments in the blog.

Note: If Discussions are not available in the Course Tools menu, navigate to the required blog topic from your unit Home Page.

Note: A green asterisk next to the Discussions icon on the Course Tools menu indicates new message(s) have been posted since your last session.

top

Sort messages by date or author

1. Click on Discussions in the Course Tools menu.
   
2. Click on a blog topic to view posted message(s).
3. Click on either the Date or Author button next to Sort by: which appears in the top-right corner above the messages.
4. An arrow will appear indicating whether the order is ascending or descending. Clicking the Date or Author button again will reverse the order.

top

Create and post a class blog message

1. Click on Discussions in the Course Tools menu.
2. Click on the blog topic to which you want to post a message.
3. Click Create Message.
4. Enter the Subject of your message.
5. Enter your Message.
6. If you want to attach files to your message, click Add Attachments and the Content Browser window appears.

• If you have already uploaded a file to your My Files select the file and click OK.
• If you need to upload a file, click on My Computer which gives you access to all files on your computer, select a file and click Open. The file will automatically be uploaded into My Files and attached.

7. Do one of the following
   • Click Save as Draft if you are not ready to post the message but want to save it.
   • Click Preview if you want to preview your message before posting it.
   • Click Post to post the message.
8. You will be returned to the topic page.

Note: Try to limit the size of your uploaded files to 1 MB or less if possible. To avoid any possible issues with uploading files to Blackboard please refrain from using any of the following characters (or spaces) in your file name:
~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) + /\ : ? < > | ; " = , - Æ

Tip: Key your message in Word and then paste the text into the discussion. This saves online time or losing your message if your online session times out while composing.

top

Post a comment to a class blog

1. Click on Discussions in the Course Tools menu.
2. Click on the blog topic to which you want to post a comment.
3. Click on the Comments button of the message to which you wish to add a comment.
4. Enter your comment in the Create Comment text box.
5. If you want to attach files to your comment, click Add Attachments and the Content Browser window appears.

• If you have already uploaded a file to your My Files select the file and click OK.
• If you need to upload a file, click on My Computer which gives you access to all files on your computer, select a file and click Open. The file will automatically be uploaded into My Files and attached.

6. Do one of the following
   • Click Save as Draft if you are not ready to post the comment but want to save it.
   • Click Preview if you want to preview your comment before posting it.
   • Click Post Comment to post the comment.
7. If you have finished with the topic, click Close this window.

top

Edit a draft class blog message or comment

1. Click on Discussions in the Course Tools menu.
2. Click on the blog topic in which the draft message or comment is to appear.
3. Click on the View Drafts button to the right of the window. The drafted messages or comments will open in a new window.
4. Click on the Name of the drafted message comment you wish to edit and make your changes.
5. Do one of the following:

• If you are not ready to post the message or comment but want to save your changes, click Save.
• To post the message or comment, click Post Now.

6. You will be returned to the topic page.