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Tips for Posting Bulletin Board Messages

• Pay attention to specific instructions provided by your instructor about posting bulletin board messages.
• For lengthy postings, you should probably compose the message in a word processor so that you can save your work periodically. If you compose your message directly in the bulletin board window, your work will be lost if you lose power or if your system freezes or crashes. After you compose your message, copy the text from your word processor and then paste it into the bulletin board window.
• For formal bulletin board assignments, you may be graded on grammar, spelling, punctuation, or other writing skills. If this is the case in your class, composing your message in a word processor first would allow you to check for some of these writing errors.
• If you do use a word processor to compose your message, DO NOT format the text within the word processor. When you copy and paste text, the formatting will be lost in WebCT. Instead, after pasting the text into the message window, click the HTML Editor button to format your text. Alternatively, if you are familiar with HTML, you may type HTML tags directly in the main message window.
• The WebCT bulletin board is organized into topics and threads within topics. Your class bulletin board probably has a Main topic and may have other topics as well. Be sure to post your message into the appropriate topic. To post a message into a specific topic:
  • Click the Bulletin Board icon or link (the link also be called Discussions or something similar).
  • Click the topic where you want to post the message.
  • Click the Compose message button to post a new message in this topic. 
• If you post an original message with a unique subject, you are starting a new thread. If you reply to a message on the bulletin board, you are adding to that thread.
  • The subject of your original message determines the thread's name, so choose good, descriptive subjects.
  • If you reply to a message in a thread, it is recommended that you not change the subject.
  • Don't reply to a message in a thread unless your message is related to the thread topic. If your message introduces a new topic, then create a new message to start a new thread.
  • To read an entire thread (all of the messages in a thread), click the magnifying glass icon to the left of the thread's subject.
  • To see a listing of the messages in a thread and/or to view a specific message in a thread, click the green triangle so that it points downward.

Other General Guidelines

• Respect the opinions of others.
• Encourage participation by others and avoid dominating the "discussion."
• Read other messages first to avoid repeating the same question or making the same comment.
• Don't type in all CAPITAL LETTERS since this indicates SHOUTING and is also more difficult to read.
• Keep messages short and to the point.
• Choose words carefully to indicate the desired “tone” (sarcasm, irony, humor, etc.) of your message. Your reader may misinterpret your message without the nonverbal cues provided in face-to-face communication.
• Use emoticons (emotion icons) to help indicate your tone:
  • Smile :-)
  • Frown :-(
  • see http://www.windweaver.com/emoticon.htm for other examples
• Use acronyms and abbreviations when they should be clear to others.
• Remember that the bulletin board is open to the instructor and other students in the class--it is public. Use WebCT mail or regular e-mail to communicate personal issues with your instructor or other students.
• Messages that are not related to the course may need to be approved by your instructor before posting. In some cases your instructor may provide a special topic (e.g., Student Lounge, Water Cooler, etc.) for the purpose of such discussions.
• You cannot delete your own messages on the bulletin board. Contact your instructor if you would like to have a message deleted.