Viewing Messages in Discussion Topics

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There are a couple of different options for viewing messages in a threaded discussion. Take a look at the screen below for the different viewing options available in threaded discussions.

threaded discussions viewing options

  1. Expand All/Collapse All - (Threaded messages only) Threaded messages can be expanded and collapsed in the view window by clicking the buttons above the message view area.

    2. Threaded Messages

  2. Threaded/Unthreaded - When messages are displayed as threaded the first message in the thread will display with a plus sign next to it. To expand the thread, click the plus sign. The sign then turns to a minus sign. Click the sign again to close the thread. You can also use the Expand All/Collapse All buttons above the message display area to Expand and Collapse all messages.

    3. threaded messages

  3. All/Unread - Use these buttons to toggle between viewing all messages or just unread messages. This is handy when you just want to see the messages you haven't read. When you click on unread and there are no unread messages you will see the message, "There are currently no unread messages in this view."

    4. Example of no unread messages

  4. Mark as Read/Mark as Unread - Sometimes you may want to mark messages as read or unread. For example, maybe your instructor posted some extra notes on the discussion board. You can mark the message as unread as a reminder for you to read the message again. To mark a message as read or unread, check the box next to the message and click Mark as Unread button.

    5. Marking Messages as Unread

  5. Create Printable View - Messages on the discussion board can be printed by using the Create Printable View button. To create the printable view click the checkbox next to the word Subject at the top of the message list. This will select all messages. Click Printable View.

    6. How to Print Messages

    The messages will display in a new window. In the new window messages can be printed or downloaded. If you choose to save the message as a file the message, "The selected messages contain attachments. Do you want to save the attachment with the messages?" will appear. Click OK if you want to download attachments as well. A zip file will be generated with all the messages and attachments.

    Message Preview