Before starting a new discussion, check whether someone has already asked the same question or initiated a conversation on the topic that interests you. Reading and contributing to existing discussions keeps conversations organized and makes participation more productive. You can either search for specific posts or browse discussions by topic.

For details on tracking new or updated posts, see Keeping Up with New Activity.

Searching for Posts

To find posts, responses, or comments containing a specific keyword or phrase:

• Enter a word, phrase, or partial word in the Search all posts field at the top of the Discussion page.
• Search results will appear in the discussion navigation pane. If no exact match is found, results for similar terms will be displayed.
• To find posts by a specific user, enter their username. Click the linked username in the search results to see all their contributions.

For more on viewing posts from a specific participant, see View Contributions from a Specific Participant.

Browsing Discussions by Topic

Course discussions are structured by discussion topics, created by the course team. When adding a post, learners select an existing topic to categorize their contribution.

Browsing discussions by topic helps you:

• Find and participate in conversations that match your interests.
• Check if your question has already been asked and answered.

For more on discussion topics, see Basic Elements: Topics, Posts, Responses, and Comments.

Viewing Topics on the Discussion Page

On the Discussion page, you can view both course-wide and content-specific discussions:

• Click All Topics above the discussion navigation pane to see every discussion topic in the course.
• Select a specific topic name in the discussion navigation pane to view all posts within that topic.

Topic Structure:

• Course-wide topics are general discussions and do not have subtopics.
• Content-specific topics
  are linked to specific course materials (e.g., lectures, assignments) and appear indented under a category name.

Viewing Topics on a Course Page

Content-specific discussion topics are embedded within relevant course pages, typically appearing below the associated content. To access these discussions, navigate to the course page where the topic is located.

 

Accessing Discussions from the Discussion Page

You can use the Discussion page to navigate to a discussion within its relevant course page.

1. In the list of topics, select the topic you want to explore.
2. Choose a post title to open the full post, including its responses and comments, above the discussion navigation pane.
3. Within a post, click the discussion topic name to jump directly to the discussion within the course page.

Filtering Unread or Unanswered Posts

To refine the posts displayed on the Discussion page or within a content-specific discussion, use the available filter options. By default, the Show All option is selected.

• Select Unread to view posts (both discussions and questions) that you have not yet read.
• Select Unanswered to display only question posts
  that do not have a marked answer.

Viewing Pinned Posts

Pinned posts remain at the top of the discussion navigation pane when viewing all discussions. These posts often contain important course-related information, such as guidance on assignments, videos, or troubleshooting tips.

• Pinned posts can be created by any participant, but only moderators
  (course team members) can pin them.

Viewing Followed Posts

To view only the posts you are following:

1. In the discussion navigation pane, select Posts I’m Following.
2. The navigation pane refreshes to display only your followed posts.
   

Viewing a Participant’s Contributions

To review all posts, responses, and comments made by a specific learner or course team member:

• Click the username at the top of any contribution they have made.
• Alternatively, enter their username in the Search all posts field and select their linked name from the search results.