1. From the Control Panel, click on "Send E-mail" under Course Tools.
2. Decide on the appropriate recipients of the email (for example, "Single / Select Users" or "All Instructors") and click on the appropriate link.
3. If necessary, select the users by checking the appropriate box(es), and type in your subject heading and message. 
4. Check "Send Copy of Message to self" so that you have a record of the email.
5. If desired, attach files by clicking "Add" in the Add Attachments area and typing in the location of the file(s) or clicking on "Browseî" to find them.
6. Click "Submit" and then "OK" to complete the process.

Notes:
*Email will go to the email address, not the Blackboard account, of the recipient(s).
 *Although the "Send Copy of Message to self" option allows you to save a copy, there is no way to keep a record of who the recipients were.

To add a forum:
1. Go to the Control Panel.
2. Select "Discussion Board" under Course Tools.
3. Click "Add Forum".
4. Enter a title and a description of the forum.
5. Select forum settings.
6. Click Submit.

To edit a forum:
1. Go to the Control Panel.
2. Select "Discussion Board" under Course Tools.
3. Select the forum you want to change and click "Modify".

Notes

*The forum settings allow you to determine the way in which you, your assistants and your students can use the forum. 

*Although you can assign administrator responsibilities, keep in mind that the Permanent Forum Administrator is the person who has created the forum and this role cannot be changed.

*You can use the Block key to stop a troublesome student from posting.

*You can set forums that only parts of your class can participate in, by blocking all students who are not in that subgroup. Everyone can view the postings but only those in the subgroup will be able to post. 

*Unless you really want students to post anonymously, it is best to prevent them from doing so by checking the appropriate setting. It is also best to block guest access to the postings. To insure privacy, guest access to the Discussion Board, should be completely blocked by checking "Secure' for the Discussion Board in Area Availability.

*If you you allow student groups to create forums, these forums are completely restricted to that group of students. Only the students in the group can post, although the instructor and teaching assistants have the opportunity to view all groups.