Kellogg Discussion Groups

Access:    Blackboard    WebBoard

See the Blackboard FAQ

About Discussion Groups

Discussion groups are asynchronous multi-way discussions, through which participants can read and post messages, including file attachments and embedded web URLs.  The benefits of discussion groups over e-mail messages and listservs include the following: (1) participants can view the entire discussion thread in one spot; (2) anyone can view the complete information in the discussion group at any time from anywhere, not just people officially and continuously involved; (3) faculty and student leaders can easily retain an archive of information for future years.

Options for Kellogg Discussion Groups

Kellogg students, faculty and staff have the following two options for creating new discussion groups.  Your choice of tool will depend on your specific needs. The majority of groups have transitioned to Blackboard. Note that Blackboard allows for file sharing and other collaboration tools in addition to discussion.

1. Blackboard
   • Preferred method for creating new discussion groups and for class study group collaboration.
   • If you do not have a Blackboard site for your course, see Using Blackboard at Kellogg to learn more.
   • Available for class and study groups where instructor uses Blackboard.
   • Access is restricted to registered students in a single section, or to specific study group members.
2. WebBoard
   • Available for classes, clubs, conferences, community
   • Access is restricted to Kellogg students, faculty, staff as a whole (but not by section).
   • Access can be finely restricted to selected individuals in the Kellogg community, if managed by a discussion moderator.  No automated access restriction for registered students in a single section.
   • Interested individuals can read and reply to new postings via e-mail instead of the web, at their personal option

Creating a Kellogg Discussion Group

1. Blackboard
   • Course-wide discussion.  Instructor only:  Within Blackboard course site, click on Communication, then Discussion Board.  Click on Add Forum.
   • Study group collaboration.  Instructor only:  Within Blackboard course site, click on Control Panel, then Create Group, and follow directions.  After Group is created, click on Communication, Group Pages, Group Name, then Discussion Board.  Click on Add Forum.
2. WebBoard
   • Complete form to create discussion group on the Kellogg WebBoard.  See form for options on restricting access.

Using a Kellogg Discussion Group

A link to the discussion group frequently appears on the relevant course or club web page.  But you may also navigate to discussion groups using the following methods:

1. Blackboard
   • Course-wide discussion:  Within Blackboard course site, click on Communication, then Discussion Board.
   • Study group discussion:  Within Blackboard site, click on Communication, Group Pages, Group Name, then Discussion Board.
2. Kellogg WebBoard
   • Go to the Kellogg WebBoard. Select a Board (for example: Classes Fall 2000, Classes GIM, GMA, Student Clubs)  Within the Board, select a specific Conference (for example: Opns 455-81 Chopra Fall 2000, GMA Technology).
   • To receive discussion group postings via e-mail, go to the desired Conference, select More, then Mailing Lists, and follow the directions.
   • To automatically mark messages as read, select More, then Edit Your Profile, then turn on Automatically Mark New Messages as Read.
   • See the Kellogg WebBoard How To Documentation for more information.

FAQ for Blackboard

1. Server downtime
   • Blackboard may be unavailable every Sunday from 6am to 12pm for scheduled maintenance.
2. Classes not appearing in Blackboard
   • If you do not see a class you have enrolled in under your Course List, contact the Professor to verify that you have been added.
3. Login problems
   • If you have left the University and are a returning student, your account will need to be reactivated. Contact course-management@northwestern.edu and include as much information as possible including your NetID and any specific error messages.
   • If you are a current student receiving an error logging in to Blackboard, contact kis-help@kellogg.northwestern.edu and include as much information as possible including your NetID and any specific error messages.
4. Advanced support and customization
   • Please contact Faculty Staff Support