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Anonymous posts on discussion forum

Alysa Bramble's profile picture
Alysa Bramble
Posts: 164

Re: Anonymous posts on discussion forum

11 October 2013, 13:37

Dear all,

This is to let you know that the anonymous posting feature was released onto the live server as part of the 1.6 release in September. We did some initial testing and it works.

There are some items to note which I have listed here:

  1. The function worked with a 'standard forum for general use' which was not released to any groups. All defaults for this forum type were left as the default. 
  2. In order to post anonymously, the course leader/convenor would have to enable the forum to allow for anonymous posting - this is not enabled automatically. The function is enabled from the menu on the left under the forum settings (once you have added the forum activity).
  3. In order to post anonymously, the poster will be logged out of their account and logged in as an anonymous user. In order to return to the course, they must logout as an anonymous user and log back in with their normal account.
  4. The anonymous function did not work with forums that were set up for separate groups. The reason explained is that the anonymous user would have to be a member of the group to post, and this feature is not possible.
  5. It is possible, if necessary, to trace the anonymous user by the IP address via the course logs. Though I feel this should be kept to exceptional circumstances, as it does not seem in keeping with the term 'anonymous'.
  6. This function is currently available in QMplus and can be utlised by course leaders/convenors.
  7. User guides will be put together and added to our help guides in due course.
 
Is there anyone who is still willing to trial this and let us know how it works for you? And if you have noticed any difference with the number of posts? 
 
Please let us know if you are going to try it.

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Please note: You can follow updates on this via our QMplus tracker under the 'Feature Enhancement Request' section.

Francis Wright's profile picture
Francis Wright
Posts: 45

Re: Anonymous posts on discussion forum

11 October 2013, 16:30

I have been using the anonymous posting facility on my student forum for the last couple of weeks. (I didn't realise it was still in trial!) It seems to work well. I turned it on because students were not using the forum, whereas now they are, both anonymously and non-anonymously. I haven't had any "malicious" posts (yet). So I would encourage other module organisers to try it.

Best wishes, Francis

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