Technology Tips: Include an Image in a Desire2Learn Discussion Post

Although you are not required to include images in the comments you leave for people in their Comments folder, it might be something fun to do. It could also be useful if, for example, you have thought of an image that might be really useful for their Storybook.

For this Technology Tip, you will include an image from a favorite film (movie poster, still image) in a special forum created for this purpose in Desire2Learn. To see an example, take a look at the Technology Tips - Movie Recommendations area in the Comment Folders.

STEP ONE: Find an image. Think of a really good movie that you have seen sometime this semester. Then, find a webpage that has an image you can use for the movie. Make sure that the image is the right size for a discussion board post. A maximum width of about 600 pixels is probably a good size; something around 400 pixels is even better. (Not sure of the image's size? Just right-mouse click on the image and look at Properties - you can see the image address there, which you will need, and you can also see the image's exact dimensions in pixels.) You should end up with a webpage displayed in your browser window that contains the image you will use. You will need to copy the webpage address for your source, and also be able to get the image address in Step Two.

STEP TWO: Create Discussion Board post. Open a new browser tab or window, and go to our Desire2Learn course, and click on the Comment Folders link (that is the main way we are using the discussion board area). Go to the Technology Tips forum, and click on Movie Recommendations. Then click Add Message.

For the Subject line, make sure you give the TITLE of the movie you are recommending.

Next, click on the HTML Editor icon. The HTML Editor will open in a new window. (If you ever lose track of what windows you have open, just use the Window menu in your web browser to see what windows you have open and click to choose the window that is displayed on top.)

Here is what the HTML Editor looks like:

Type text. In the HTML Editing window, please say a few words about the movie, the plot (no spoilers!), why you liked it.

Insert image. Position your cursor a couple lines below your text, and click on the Image icon, which pops open a small window. Now, go to the image you want to use, right-mouse click, and get the http: address of the image (just like you do with Bloglines). Copy that address and paste it into the URL box. When you have entered the image address, click Insert. The window should close and return you to the HTML Editor.

Insert link. Adding the link is somewhat different than in Bloglines. Now that you are back in the HTML editor, click on the Link icon, which pops open a small window. For Link Caption, type in the link text (for example, "web source for image"). For URL, paste in the http webpage address of your source for the image. For Open In, select New Window. Then, click Insert. The window should close and return you to the HTML Editor.

Save HTML. You should now see the HTML editing screen again. Make sure you click Insert to save your work.

Post Message. When you insert the content of the HTML Editor, you will see some scary computer code in your discussion board box. Don't worry - that is just the raw HTML code for your text, link and image. To post your message, click Submit. You should see your message displayed correctly - if not, you'll need to edit the message.

(And now you know why I use Bloglines - the Desire2Learn discussion board editor is not fully integrated into the process, and it means you end up looking at raw HTML code, scary. Desire2Learn is okay for text, but it is terrible for images and links.)

STEP THREE: Send email. When you have completed the process, send me an email to let me know you have posted a film recommendation. If you are in the Myth-Folklore class, use the Subject Line Myth-Folklore Desire2Learn Film; if you are in Indian Epics, Indian Epics Desire2Learn Film; or for World Literature, World Lit Desire2Learn Film.
NOTE: If you are in two classes with me this semester, please do a post in BOTH classes - you can post about the same movie, but make sure that your post shows up in the Discussion Board area for each class you are going to take credit for.

When you have sent in the email, you can do the Gradebook Declaration for Extra Credit.

© Copyrighted by Laura Gibbs. Kaleidoscope images created with Kaleidoscope Painter. Last updated: January 21, 2008 3:45 PM .