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{{Forum}}
{{Forum}}
==How can I use permalinks?==
A permalink allows you to link directly to a specific forum post so you can share it easily with others. You will see the permalink option when clicking to reply to a post. If you click the permalink ''(1)'', it is highlighted to the side ''(2)'' and you will have a particular web address ''(3)'' which you can then copy and paste to use elsewhere:
[[File:permalinkexample.png|thumb|center|600px|Linking directly to a single post]]
==How can I easily see which posts I have read and not read?==
#Go to the user menu top right and select 'Preferences'.
#Click 'Forum preferences' and for 'Forum tracking' select: ''Yes; highlight new posts for me''
#When in the forum itself' you will  see which posts are read and unread.
[[File:forumtracking2.png]]
==How can I get my forum to display in the [[Course overview block]]?==
Set an 'Expect completed by' date in the [[Activity completion]] section of your forum.
==Why are students unable to post in the forum?==
==Why are students unable to post in the forum?==


The most likely reason is that the forum is a [[News forum]] i.e. a special forum for general announcements which is automatically created for each course, and which by default only teachers and administrators can post in.
The most likely reason is that the forum is an [[Announcements forum]] i.e. a special forum for news and general announcements which is automatically created for each course, and which by default only teachers and administrators can post in.


To create a standard forum in which students can post, turn editing on for the course, click the 'Add an activity or resource' link and then choose Forum.
To create a standard forum in which students can post, turn editing on for the course, click the 'Add an activity or resource' link and then choose Forum.


Students may also be unable to post to a forum where a [[Forum_settings#Common_module_settings|Group Mode]] other than 'No Groups' has been used but the student is not a member of any group in the course.  They will see the message "Adding discussions to this forum requires group membership".  In this case, either add the student to a [[Groups|group]] or change the [[Forum_settings#Common_module_settings|Group Mode]] to 'No Groups'.
Students may also be unable to post to a forum where a [[Forum_settings#Common_module_settings|Group Mode]] other than 'No Groups' has been used but the student is not a member of any group in the course.  They will see the message "Adding discussions to this forum requires group membership".  In this case, either add the student to a [[Groups|group]] or change the [[Forum_settings#Common_module_settings|Group Mode]] to 'No Groups'.
==How do I enable ratings in my forum?==
For the standard [[Boost theme]] click into your forum and then click the gear menu top right inside the forum. For other themes, find the administration block for the forum to one side of your course page. Then click Edit settings or Settings and scroll down to 'Ratings'. Expand this and from the Aggregate type dropdown, choose the type of rating you want. The help icon gives more information. Note: If you want to use a specific scale (such as 'Like', as mentioned below) then from the Scale section change the Type to 'Scale' and then select your chosen Scale.


==How do I enable students to rate forum posts?==
==How do I enable students to rate forum posts?==


In ''Settings > Forum administration > Permissions'' click the + symbol opposite the capability to rate posts and allow the role of student.
For the standard  [[Boost theme]] click the relevant forum and then from the gear menu top right inside the forum, click 'Permissions' and then click the + symbol opposite the capability to rate posts and allow the role of Student. For other themes, click the  forum and then, on the side of your screen, find the administration block for the forum. Click the + symbol opposite the capability to rate posts and allow the role of student.


==Why can I not get ratings to work on my forums?==
==How can I have a 'Like' button for my forum discussions?==
Assuming you have followed the instructions above correctly and still cannot see ratings, then check you have json support enabled on your server. You can see this in ''Settings>Site administration>Server>PHP info.''


[[File:Json.png]]
# For the standard [[Boost theme]], click Grades and then Scales. For other themes, find the side block ''Course administration and click Grades > Scales''. Add a new scale with just one item. This could be 'Like' or it could be 'Useful' for example.
# Enable ratings in your forum and if you want students to 'like' the posts, follow the instructions above.


See also this discussion:[ http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=170563]
[[File:forumlike.png|thumb|center|500px]]


==How can I create a teacher-only forum?==
==How can I create a teacher-only forum?==
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==My users can't add attachments to my forum, either with drag and drop or with the file picker.==
==My users can't add attachments to my forum, either with drag and drop or with the file picker.==


Check that in the forum settings that you have changed the maximum number of attachments allowed to a number greater than 0 ;)
Check that in the forum settings that you have changed the maximum number of attachments allowed to a number greater than 0.


==How can I remove the news forum from a course?==
==How can I remove the Announcements from a course?==


#Delete the news forum from the course homepage.
#Delete the Announcements from the course homepage.
#In ''Settings > Course administration > Edit settings'' set "News items to show" to 0.
#In ''Administration > Course administration > Edit settings'' set "News items to show" to 0.
#Delete the Latest news block.
#Delete the Latest announcements block.


==How can I remove test messages from a new forum?==
==How can I remove test messages from a new forum?==
There are several options ([http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=95470 Here is a nice graphic]).  Remember you can  
There are several options ([https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=95470#p421687 Here is a nice graphic]).  Remember you can  
*Move the discussion/thread to another forum
*Move the discussion/thread to another forum
*Edit the post with your moderator powers
*Edit the post with your moderator powers
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*Split>move>delete your test messages.
*Split>move>delete your test messages.


==How can I set a display period for news forum announcements?==
==How can I set a display period for announcements?==


Timed posts are disabled by default, but the feature can be enabled by checking the ''forum_enabletimedposts'' checkbox in ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Activity modules > Forum''. Timed posts can then be created by users with the [[Capabilities/mod/forum:viewhiddentimedposts|capability to view hidden timed posts]] (normally managers and teachers).
See the section 'Display period' in [[Using Forum]].


==Why are email copies of forum posts not being sent?==
==Why are forum post notification emails not being sent?==


The most likely reason is that the cron is not set up. Please refer to the [[Cron|cron instructions]].
The most likely reason is that the cron is not set up. Please refer to the [[Cron|cron instructions]].


Tips:
Tip: Try the default settings in the 'Outgoing mail configuration' in the Site administration. This generally works.
* Try the default settings in ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Message outputs > Email''. This generally works.
*Make sure that 'Allow user to select character set' in ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Message outputs > Email'' is set to No.
 
==Why can't students in separate groups reply to a forum discussion started by a teacher?==
 
When using groups, teachers are given the option of adding a new discussion topic for all participants or for a selected group. To enable students in separate groups to reply to a discussion, the teacher must copy and paste their discussion topic for each separate group, selecting each group from the dropdown menu at the top left of the forum page before clicking the "Add a new discussion topic" button.


==How do I enable guests to post in a forum?==
==How do I enable guests to post in a forum?==


It's not possible to enable guests to post in a forum, though there is a workaround. Please see the section 'Guests and posting in a forum' in [[Forum settings]] for details.
It's not possible to enable guests to post in a forum, though there is a workaround. Please see [[Forum poster role]] for details.


==How can I close/archive a forum?==
==How can I close/archive a forum?==
*You might want to do this if, for example, you want to put an end to a student discussion topic but still want them to be able to see posts which had been made without being able to reply any more.
*You might want to do this if, for example, you want to put an end to a student discussion topic but still want them to be able to see posts which had been made without being able to reply any more.


*In ''Settings > Forum administration > Permissions'' click the Prevent icon (X) for the student role for the capabilites 'Start new discussions' and 'Reply to posts'.
*In ''Administration > Forum administration > Permissions'' click the Prevent icon (X) for the student role for the capabilities 'Start new discussions' and 'Reply to posts'.


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'''NOTE:''' If you are a teacher in a course, you should be able to do this by default, but if you don't see these options, ask your admin to do the following:
Note: If you are a teacher in a course, you should be able to do this by default, but if you don't see these options, ask your admin to do the following:
#Go to ''Settings > Site Administration > Users > Permissions > Define roles''
#Go to ''Administration > Site Administration > Users > Permissions > Define roles''
#Edit the teacher role and change the capability moodle/role:safeoverride to allow
#Edit the teacher role and change the capability moodle/role:safeoverride to allow
#Click the button "Save changes"
#Click the button "Save changes"
#Click the tab "Allow role overrides" (in ''Settings > Site administration > Users > Permissions > Define roles'')
#Click the tab "Allow role overrides" (in ''Site administration > Users > Permissions > Define roles'')
#Check the appropriate box(s) in the teacher row to set which role(s) they can override. Most likely it will just be the student role, so check the box where the teacher row intersects with the student column
#Check the appropriate box(s) in the teacher row to set which role(s) they can override. Most likely it will just be the student role, so check the box where the teacher row intersects with the student column
#Click the button "Save changes"
#Click the button "Save changes"
To make a single thread read only, you need a forum which has already been closed/archived. Move the the thread to this read-only forum.


==How can I quarantine a forum post?==
==How can I quarantine a forum post?==
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Make sure you inform the child why their post has been quarantined, as well as your superior and the child's guardians.
Make sure you inform the child why their post has been quarantined, as well as your superior and the child's guardians.
''
(with thanks to Ben Reynolds)''


==Can I set up forum moderation or an approval process before a post appears?==
==Can I set up forum moderation or an approval process before a post appears?==
Not in core Moodle.   
Not in core Moodle.   
*Check out the tracker item https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/CONTRIB/component/10440
*Check out MDL-35378
*And https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/CONTRIB-2260
*And https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/CONTRIB-2260
*If anyone discovers a plugin to allow this, please post details


==Can I subscribe to just one discussion in a forum?==
==Can I subscribe to just one discussion in a forum?==


Not at present, though please see MDL-1626.
Yes. Please see [[Forum settings]].


==How can I receive forum emails in digest form?==
==How can I receive forum emails in digest form?==


A daily digest of either complete forum posts or with subjects only can be enabled in ''Settings > My profile settings > Edit profile''.
You can select a daily digest of either complete forum posts or with subjects only via your user menu (top right) ''Preferences > Forum preferences''.


==How can I allow students to add new questions in a Q & A forum type?==
==How can I allow students to add new questions in a Q & A forum type?==


Only teachers and managers by default see the "add  a new question" button. If you wish students to be able to add new questions, they need to be given the capability [[Capabilities/mod/forum:addquestion|mod/forum:addquestion]]
Only teachers and managers by default see the "add  a new question" button. If you wish students to be able to add new questions, they need to be given the capability [[Capabilities/mod/forum:addquestion|mod/forum:addquestion]].


==How can I make sure my students are notified of forum posts?==
==How can I make sure my students are notified of forum posts?==
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For students to be notified of forum posts, they need to be ''subscribed'' to the forum. A teacher can choose to force subscription on a particular forum either initially (auto subscription) or permanently (forced subscription) using the subscription mode setting. See the section on subscription mode in [[Forum settings]] for further details.
For students to be notified of forum posts, they need to be ''subscribed'' to the forum. A teacher can choose to force subscription on a particular forum either initially (auto subscription) or permanently (forced subscription) using the subscription mode setting. See the section on subscription mode in [[Forum settings]] for further details.


A teacher can also subscribe selected students to the forum via ''Settings > Forum administration > Show/edit current subscribers''.
A teacher can also subscribe selected students to the forum via ''Forum administration > Show/edit current subscribers''.


==How can I change the 'From' address for forum notifications sent via email?==
==How can I set the 'From' address for forum notifications sent via email?==


By default, a user's email is set as the 'From' address for forum notifications (unless the user has hidden their email address in their profile) so that recipients can choose to reply personally rather than via the forum. To set noreply@yourmoodlesite.org as 'From' address for all forum notification emails, untick the forum_replytouser checkbox in ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Activity modules > Forum''.
A no-reply address and any allowed email domains may be set in 'Outgoing mail configuration' in the Site administration. See [[Mail configuration]] for further details.


==How can I remove the words "Site news"?==
==How can I remove the words "Site news"?==
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[[File:sitenewsname.png]]
[[File:sitenewsname.png]]


*Save. What this does is code a space into the name field so Moodle thinks there is something in the required field -  but that something is a space, not words.
*Save. What this does is code a space into the name field so Moodle thinks there is something in the required field -  but that something is a space, not words.
 
==Can I have different email digests for different forums?==
==Can I have different email digests for different forums?==
{{New features}}
 
This is possible, although there is not currently a setting for it. In the course you wish to manage the daily digests, type into your browser ''http://YOURMOODLESITE/mod/forum/index.php?id=2''  (where ''YOURMOODLESITE'' is your Moodle and  the ''=number'' is the course ID) This will bring you to the index page of all your subscribed forums and you can specify how you want to receive notifications from there.
Yes, you can specify how you want to receive notifications on the forum index page ''http://YOURMOODLESITE/mod/forum/index.php?id=2''  (where ''YOURMOODLESITE'' is your Moodle and  the ''=number'' is the course ID) e.g. https://moodle.org/mod/forum/index.php?id=5.
{|
{|
|[[File:26forumdigest.png|thumb|Per forum digest settings]]
|[[File:26forumdigest.png|thumb|Per forum digest settings]]
Line 132: Line 144:


==How can a teacher see all of a student's forum posts in a course?==
==How can a teacher see all of a student's forum posts in a course?==
If a teacher clicks on the profile of a particular student, for example via the Participants link, they can then access a link ''Forum posts'' from the Navigation block. Expanding this link will offer the option either to see all posts or any discussions started by that student.
If a teacher clicks the Participants link and then clicks on the profile of a particular student, they can then access a link 'Forum posts' from the 'Miscellaneous' section of the student's profile.
 
==How can a user see all their forum posts on Moodle?==
A user can view all their forum posts via the forum posts link in their profile.
 
==How can I remove a rating from a forum post?==
 
A user can remove a rating that they made previously by selecting 'Rate...'  in the dropdown menu.


[[File:studentforumposts.png]]
It is not possible to remove a rating made by another user. However, if a certain poster gives inappropriate ratings on a regular basis, it is possible to create a custom system role preventing them from rating posts and assign the role for a limited time.


==How can a user see all their forum posts on Moodle?==
==Any further questions?==
A user can view all their forum posts by going to the Navigation block and clicking ''My profile>Forum posts.'' Expanding this link will offer the option either to see all posts or any discussions started.


[[File:seeallforumposts.png]]
Please post in the [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/view.php?f=116 Forum forum] on moodle.org.


==See also==
==See also==


* Using Moodle [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/view.php?f=116 Forum module forum]
Moodle in English forum discussions:
 
Using Moodle forum discussions:


* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=148055 Ability to post anonymously]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=178331 How to resend forum posts]  
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=178331 How to resend forum posts]  
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=196698 Discussion Count]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=196698 Discussion Count]
* [https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=364991 Delayed mailings]


[[Category:FAQ]]
[[Category:FAQ]]

Latest revision as of 10:05, 29 August 2018

How can I use permalinks?

A permalink allows you to link directly to a specific forum post so you can share it easily with others. You will see the permalink option when clicking to reply to a post. If you click the permalink (1), it is highlighted to the side (2) and you will have a particular web address (3) which you can then copy and paste to use elsewhere:

Linking directly to a single post

How can I easily see which posts I have read and not read?

  1. Go to the user menu top right and select 'Preferences'.
  2. Click 'Forum preferences' and for 'Forum tracking' select: Yes; highlight new posts for me
  3. When in the forum itself' you will see which posts are read and unread.

forumtracking2.png

How can I get my forum to display in the Course overview block?

Set an 'Expect completed by' date in the Activity completion section of your forum.

Why are students unable to post in the forum?

The most likely reason is that the forum is an Announcements forum i.e. a special forum for news and general announcements which is automatically created for each course, and which by default only teachers and administrators can post in.

To create a standard forum in which students can post, turn editing on for the course, click the 'Add an activity or resource' link and then choose Forum.

Students may also be unable to post to a forum where a Group Mode other than 'No Groups' has been used but the student is not a member of any group in the course. They will see the message "Adding discussions to this forum requires group membership". In this case, either add the student to a group or change the Group Mode to 'No Groups'.

How do I enable ratings in my forum?

For the standard Boost theme click into your forum and then click the gear menu top right inside the forum. For other themes, find the administration block for the forum to one side of your course page. Then click Edit settings or Settings and scroll down to 'Ratings'. Expand this and from the Aggregate type dropdown, choose the type of rating you want. The help icon gives more information. Note: If you want to use a specific scale (such as 'Like', as mentioned below) then from the Scale section change the Type to 'Scale' and then select your chosen Scale.

How do I enable students to rate forum posts?

For the standard Boost theme click the relevant forum and then from the gear menu top right inside the forum, click 'Permissions' and then click the + symbol opposite the capability to rate posts and allow the role of Student. For other themes, click the forum and then, on the side of your screen, find the administration block for the forum. Click the + symbol opposite the capability to rate posts and allow the role of student.

How can I have a 'Like' button for my forum discussions?

  1. For the standard Boost theme, click Grades and then Scales. For other themes, find the side block Course administration and click Grades > Scales. Add a new scale with just one item. This could be 'Like' or it could be 'Useful' for example.
  2. Enable ratings in your forum and if you want students to 'like' the posts, follow the instructions above.
forumlike.png

How can I create a teacher-only forum?

A teacher/tutor-only forum may be added to a course by creating a hidden forum. Teachers are able to view hidden course activities whereas students cannot.

My users can't add attachments to my forum, either with drag and drop or with the file picker.

Check that in the forum settings that you have changed the maximum number of attachments allowed to a number greater than 0.

How can I remove the Announcements from a course?

  1. Delete the Announcements from the course homepage.
  2. In Administration > Course administration > Edit settings set "News items to show" to 0.
  3. Delete the Latest announcements block.

How can I remove test messages from a new forum?

There are several options (Here is a nice graphic). Remember you can

  • Move the discussion/thread to another forum
  • Edit the post with your moderator powers
  • Delete the post with your moderator powers
  • Split the thread at a particular post and move it to another thread
  • Split>move>delete your test messages.

How can I set a display period for announcements?

See the section 'Display period' in Using Forum.

Why are forum post notification emails not being sent?

The most likely reason is that the cron is not set up. Please refer to the cron instructions.

Tip: Try the default settings in the 'Outgoing mail configuration' in the Site administration. This generally works.

How do I enable guests to post in a forum?

It's not possible to enable guests to post in a forum, though there is a workaround. Please see Forum poster role for details.

How can I close/archive a forum?

  • You might want to do this if, for example, you want to put an end to a student discussion topic but still want them to be able to see posts which had been made without being able to reply any more.
  • In Administration > Forum administration > Permissions click the Prevent icon (X) for the student role for the capabilities 'Start new discussions' and 'Reply to posts'.
The screen and relevant capabilities. (Click to enlarge

Note: If you are a teacher in a course, you should be able to do this by default, but if you don't see these options, ask your admin to do the following:

  1. Go to Administration > Site Administration > Users > Permissions > Define roles
  2. Edit the teacher role and change the capability moodle/role:safeoverride to allow
  3. Click the button "Save changes"
  4. Click the tab "Allow role overrides" (in Site administration > Users > Permissions > Define roles)
  5. Check the appropriate box(s) in the teacher row to set which role(s) they can override. Most likely it will just be the student role, so check the box where the teacher row intersects with the student column
  6. Click the button "Save changes"

To make a single thread read only, you need a forum which has already been closed/archived. Move the the thread to this read-only forum.

How can I quarantine a forum post?

If a student makes an inappropriate post, rather than deleting it, you can "quarantine" it by sending it to a hidden forum and then alerting your superior and the child's guardians. To do this you first need to create a forum "Hidden forum for Offensive Posts" (for example) and hide it with its eye.

    • Find the offensive post and click 'split' (between 'edit' and 'delete')
    • This will take you to a second page where you will be asked to verify the split. Confirm it by pressing the 'split' button near the top of the page.
    • The post(s) will now be split. You should see the post/discussion individually on a separate page. In the right-hand corner will be a dropdown bar and a button that says 'move.'
    • Choose 'Hidden Forum for Offensive Posts' in the dropdown and click 'move.'

Make sure you inform the child why their post has been quarantined, as well as your superior and the child's guardians.

Can I set up forum moderation or an approval process before a post appears?

Not in core Moodle.

Can I subscribe to just one discussion in a forum?

Yes. Please see Forum settings.

How can I receive forum emails in digest form?

You can select a daily digest of either complete forum posts or with subjects only via your user menu (top right) Preferences > Forum preferences.

How can I allow students to add new questions in a Q & A forum type?

Only teachers and managers by default see the "add a new question" button. If you wish students to be able to add new questions, they need to be given the capability mod/forum:addquestion.

How can I make sure my students are notified of forum posts?

For students to be notified of forum posts, they need to be subscribed to the forum. A teacher can choose to force subscription on a particular forum either initially (auto subscription) or permanently (forced subscription) using the subscription mode setting. See the section on subscription mode in Forum settings for further details.

A teacher can also subscribe selected students to the forum via Forum administration > Show/edit current subscribers.

How can I set the 'From' address for forum notifications sent via email?

A no-reply address and any allowed email domains may be set in 'Outgoing mail configuration' in the Site administration. See Mail configuration for further details.

How can I remove the words "Site news"?

You can change the words to something else from Administration>Forum administration>Edit settings but to have no words at all - and without touching the code - do the following:

  • As admin go to Administration>Site administration>Appearance>HTML settings and uncheck/untick Remove HTML tags from all activity names
  • Go to Administration>Forum administration<Edit settings (for the site news) and type:

sitenewsname.png

  • Save. What this does is code a space into the name field so Moodle thinks there is something in the required field - but that something is a space, not words.

Can I have different email digests for different forums?

Yes, you can specify how you want to receive notifications on the forum index page http://YOURMOODLESITE/mod/forum/index.php?id=2 (where YOURMOODLESITE is your Moodle and the =number is the course ID) e.g. https://moodle.org/mod/forum/index.php?id=5.

Per forum digest settings

How can a teacher see all of a student's forum posts in a course?

If a teacher clicks the Participants link and then clicks on the profile of a particular student, they can then access a link 'Forum posts' from the 'Miscellaneous' section of the student's profile.

How can a user see all their forum posts on Moodle?

A user can view all their forum posts via the forum posts link in their profile.

How can I remove a rating from a forum post?

A user can remove a rating that they made previously by selecting 'Rate...' in the dropdown menu.

It is not possible to remove a rating made by another user. However, if a certain poster gives inappropriate ratings on a regular basis, it is possible to create a custom system role preventing them from rating posts and assign the role for a limited time.

Any further questions?

Please post in the Forum forum on moodle.org.

See also

Moodle in English forum discussions: