A Question2Answer Forum (Q2A) is a special kind of forum that allows course members to post questions to others and to influence the answers using a voting system. This can be used to encourage students to ask questions and receive direct answers from others, and due to the ranking system Q2A uses, the most popular questions appear at the top of the forum. It also allows for interaction in a different way than a traditional forum. Q2A forums can also be set up to award points for different ways that users interact, thus incentivizing participation. However, these points are not inserted into the Gradebook. Additionally, the Q2A forum type allows anonymous usernames.

For information on other types of forums, please see the Forum Reference Guide.

*Note that this module does not record logs and has very limited record keeping regarding posting or other interactions, with his in mind we do not recommend using this activity for grading purposes (i.e. a student must post three replies and start one discussion for credit, this sort of requirement would need to be graded manually by looking for individuals post and discussion by students).

Creating a Q2A

To add a Q2A to your course site, follow these instructions:

1) Turn editing on and turn advanced tools on (located in the upper right corner of your course site).

2) Go the part of your course site where you would like to add the Q2A and click the Add an activity or resource link.

3) From the menu, select Q2A Forum and Add.

4) Like with other activities, enter a name and description for the Q2A. Other settings on this page allow you to manipulate how users can ask and vote on questions and how points are awarded. Note: These points are not entered into the Gradebook. They only exist within the Q2A activity.

Change voting, point settings, and anonymity in these menus:

Posting and Answering a Question

Once the Q2A is created, users can now post and answer questions. Enter the Q2A and use the Ask a Question button to do this.

When you want to answer a question, click the Answer button. Existing answers will appear. You can add a new answer and/or vote on existing answers.