To add a forum for general, class, or group discussion you can add this activity to your Moodle page using the activity chooser. 

  1. On your Moodle page click on the edit mode button on the top right corner of the screen to turn editing on. 

    Edit mode toggle set to on
  2. Go to the section you would like to add a forum, and +Add an activity or resource.

    Plus icon higlighted between activities and resources allowing to add an activity or resource
  3. Choose Forum.

    In the add an activity or resource menu the forum icon is highlighted
  4. Under General, fill in the Forum name and Description in the fields provided. Select on the Display description on course page checkbox, if desired. Select Forum type from the option available in the dropdown menu. Click on the ? icon to find a brief description of each.

    In forum the general tab is open with the 'fill in forum name' section highlighted with the display description name section also displaying the highlighted 'standard forum for general use' default
  5. Edit the other forum settings, and be sure to investigate the Common module settings and Restrict access and set your group preferences, if applicable.

    Forum settings are displayed with common module settings and restrict access options highlighted
  6. Once complete, click on Save and return to course, or Save and display button at the base of the screen.
    Save and return to course and Save and display buttons

Select groups in Forums: 

Forums in Moodle have three settings for attendees which are effected by groups. When creating a forum or virtual session you can edit the group settings of the item through the clicking on the ellipsis icon (...) and selecting Edit settings from the dropdown menu. Within the edit settings screen, navigate to the Common module settings section and select your desired option from the Group mode dropdown menu options available.

Common Module settings open with group mode selected with the no group option highlighted

  1. No groups: This is a community forum. Any course participants who have not been restricted will be able to attend this forum.
  2. Separate groups: participants of preset groups will be able to access this forum based on restriction, and will only be able to see their own group topics.
  3. Visible groups: Visible groups can only edit in their own group forum but have read-only access to other Visible groups.
* When editing your page items, be sure to be wary of accidentally changing your group settings by clicking the silhouette instead of the edit icon.


You can find more information on the Forum activity in Moodle on the MoodleDoc's website. 





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