Click on "Control Panel" in your list of options once you've accessed Blackboard.
Choose the "Add Forum" option. Students will discuss topics in this area of Blackboard once you have created it.
Type a title for your discussion board. The title doesn't need to be creative, but it should easily identify what the discussion is about. Making a title that corresponds with the date and the readings is the easiest to identify especially when you get into multiple threads.
Describe what the forum is about in the description area. You can choose font, color and insert URLs. A well written description helps keep students on task and limits digressions.
Set the forum parameters that you would like the discussion board to be run by. Forum Settings allows you to decide whether students may post anonymously, it also controls whether they can post files and a few other options.
Delegate power. Select the students that can control the forum or create their own threads.
Choose the "Submit" option. The discussion board will be fully operational.