Introducing Forums
A forum is an online discussion 'space' where you are able to post messages and to read messages from other people. Forums use Web technology that allows you to access messages by simply clicking a hyperlink, in the same way you are already used to from your experience of the Internet. Forums are less private than emails, since everyone who participates in a forum can post, read and reply to messages.
Forums are used by students and staff of the University, and make possible open discussion at the convenience of forum users. There are basically two categories of forums:
- CSU general forums, like Student Orientation; Learning Skills; Library Services; CSU General; etc. All enrolled CSU students are able to access general forums.
- Specific subject forums that are automatically attached to each subject you are enrolled in. The only people able to access subject specific forums are students enrolled in the subject, the lecturer and the (administrative) Online Liaison Officer.
Subject forums allow students to post messages to each other and their lecturers. This feature may be particularly useful for students, since the University's online learning environment easily allows students to share, communicate and collaborate with other students studying the same subject.
Upon enrolment, CSU general forums are immediately available to you, but your subject forum will not be available until three days before commencement of the study session.
CSU forums can be accessed through:
- My Forums tool within the my.csu desktop; or
- Forum link in the left-side navigation menu within your CSU Interact subject site.
CSU Forums are consistent in the way they look and function. Messages are listed showing information about:
- who posted the message (Sender);
- what the message title is (Subject); and
- the date the message was posted (Date).
Also indicated is:
- whether or not the message has been read - an opened or closed Envelope icon
- whether the message has an attachment -a Paper clip icon
Full information on using CSU Forums can be found in the Forum Help Guide. If you have questions that remain unanswered you can post a question to CSU Forums or contact Student Central