Adding a Discussion activity in TILE Composer is very simple. The key is coming up with a good discussion prompt and then the rest is easy.

Watch this video to see how to add a Discussion activity. You can also follow the Step-by-Step instructions below.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Add Discussion Activity

1. Select the Resources option in the side menu. (NOTE: in TILE, activities are considered to be learning resources.)



2. Select Lock & Edit to activate the page for edits, and make sure you are on the right page for your practice lesson/course by looking at the breadcrumbs at the top of the screen.



3. Note that your practice lesson may already include a discussion activity. If that’s true, all you need to do is update the name and other settings. If you don’t have a discussion activity already, you can just add a new resource.
• Option 1: Edit Existing Resource. If there’s already a placeholder discussion activity in your lesson, just click on the name of the resource to update it.


• Option 2: Add New Resource. Otherwise, select the Add Resource button to add a new Discussion activity.



4. The Resource settings panel opens.


1. Enter a Name for the discussion activity.
2. Enter the Position (order) where the activity will appear in the lesson.
3. Select ‘Discussion’ as the activity Type.
4. Also select ‘Discussion” as the activity Format.
5. Set the expected Duration of the discussion activity in minutes. (NOTE: if you have a minimum time you expect learners to participate in the discussion, it is recommended that you convey this in the activity description or instructions.)



6. Enter a Description for the discussion activity.
7. Select Save.


5. Map the Discussion activity to the lesson (if not already mapped) by clicking the empty cell next to it.
   
   The Discussion activity is now added to your lesson. If you want to add a prompt to help guide the discussion (recommended), follow the steps below.

Add Prompt to Discussion

1. To add a prompt, you’ll need to access the discussion activity as a learner would. Select the Portal option at the top of the screen.



2. Select the Discussion activity in the Resource Carousel, and then launch it.



3. The Discussion thread opens. TILE uses the ‘Disqus’ discussion plugin – if you have not yet registered and logged into this platform, you can do so now. You can login via your existing social media accounts, or directly through Disqus.



4. Once you’re logged in, click on the Start the discussion field.



5. Enter a discussion prompt and then select the Post as… button.



6. To ensure your prompt is displayed at the top of the discussion, you need to “feature” it. Select the context menu for the comment and then select the Feature this comment option.



7. Your prompt is now featured at the top of the discussion thread.




The discussion activity is now ready for your learners!

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