How do I set up a discussion forum? The instructions for this task may vary depending on how you rename your main navigation buttons/links; however, starting from your default settings, you would do the following (note that you don't necessarily have to be in the control panel to set up a class discussion; discussions can be set up from the front view of your course): How do I respond to a message in the discussion forum? How do I view multiple messages on the page at once, without having to click on each message individually? Enter the discussion forum in question What is a group, and how do I set one up? Blackboard allows you to create student groups of any size. These student groups can have access to their own discussion board, collaborate tools, file sharing options, and group email listservs. To create a group from within your Blackboard course How do I use email in Blackboard? Blackboard has a built in email function that allows both instructors and students to email the entire class, groups, or individual members. Students and instructors are automatically added to the email list when they're enrolled in the course. There are 5 simple steps to basic email use: Click on the Communication navigation button Choose Send E-mail Click on Select Users Click on the box of the person you want to send e-mail to Enter your subject and message Click Submit What else should I know about Blackboard email? Can I check my email messages from within Blackboard? No. Blackboard allows you to send email to your instructor from within your course; however, it does not allow you to collect or read that email via Blackboard. Email sent from Blackboard goes to your LCC email address and must be read through a regular client-side email program. Where did these questions come from? Some questions & answers were taken from the University of Alaska http://technology.uaa.alaska.edu/kb/Computer/Blackboard/Blackboard_Instructor_FAQ.cfm