Creating Discussions in Schoology

Open your Schoology sandbox course.

Select "add materials" and "add discussion." 

Once in the details window, add a name for the discussion. You will want this to captivate your audience, so make it interesting.

In the description section, use the rich text editor to add the following:

Add a table that is 2 columns by 4 rows in size.

Merge the first row of cells, and add a title (I usually put the title of the discussion here or any prompts that may be needed prior to beginning the activity).

In each of the remaining cells on the left column, insert the image arrows that say watch (cell 2), respond (cell 3), and reflect (cell 4).

In the right column across from the watch arrow, embed a video from YouTube.

In the right column across from the respond arrow, type the directions: After watching the video, think about what you have learned and how you can apply that new information. Post your thinking in the discussion board below. 

In the right column across from the reflect arrow, type the directions: After posting your thoughts, read your peer's posts and select 2 to respond to. In your responses, share whether you agree disagree, ask a question about their thinking, or share how they may have changed or added to your thinking about the topic. 

In the last cell on the right, type the words: SENTENCE STARTER.  

Hyperlink those words to the shared document titled "Sentence Starters."

Select "enable grading."

Select the "ungraded" grading category.

Select the "align" button to align objectives to the discussion.

You can choose 1-2 objectives from the given lists.

After selecting objectives, select the "Scale/Rubric" dropdown menu.

Choose "create new" from the list of options.

The objectives you've attached will appear in the objective column, but you will want to give the rubric a title.

Add criteria called "following directions" by clicking in the +criteria button.

Here you can give the criteria a short description, and add the scoring values and their descriptions by clicking into the cells on the rubric. 

Save your rubric.

Feel free to change the settings (publish/unpublish, response reveals, individually assign and lock) at the bottom of your discussion window. 

Select "create" when you are finished with your discussion for your course. 

Take some time to develop a discussion in one of your courses that you can use with your students.