---
title: "Discussion Forums"
slug: "discussion-forums"
updated: 2024-08-27T19:21:24Z
published: 2024-08-27T19:21:24Z
canonical: "support.smarteru.com/discussion-forums"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.smarteru.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Discussion Forums

In order to use this feature, be sure to enable [discussions](https://support.smarteru.com/docs/account-settings#enable-discussions) for your account. 

Discussion forums enable users to interact with one another online. SmarterU supports two types of discussion forums: [adhoc](/v1/docs/discussion-forums#adhoc-discussion-forums) and [object](/v1/docs/discussion-forums#object-discussion-forums). The grid below summarizes the similarities and differences between [adhoc](/v1/docs/discussion-forums#adhoc-discussion-forums) and [object](/v1/docs/discussion-forums#object-discussion-forums) discussion forums.

|  | [**Adhoc**](/v1/docs/discussion-forums#adhoc-discussion-forums) | [**Object**](/v1/docs/discussion-forums#object-discussion-forums) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Users can view comments** | ✔ | ✔ |
| **Users can add comments** | ✔ | ✔ |
| **Users can subscribe** | ✔ | ✔ |
| **Discussion associated with course or session** | X | ✔ |
| **Permissions can be assigned** | ✔ | X |

New to SmarterU? Discover how you can make learning more fun with gamification and discussions.  
  
[YouTube video player](https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Oza0__qE74?si=Qxxte7FUmS6DEiRs)

## Adhoc Discussion Forums

[Adhoc discussion forums](/v1/docs/adding-an-adhoc-discussion-forum) exist independently, outside the context of a course. With adhoc discussion forums, [you can then control who does — and who doesn't — have access to the discussion.](/v1/docs/discussion-forum-permissions) These permissions can be granted or denied for specific groups, learning plans, teams, or users. For example, you could create a discussion forum that's available to all users who are assigned the HR Professional learning plan.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7efaadab-fef6-4186-806a-2ca14c9ce9ea/Images/Documentation/Permissions%20Example%20-%20Learning%20Plan%2020210825(1).png)

Users with access to an adhoc discussion can view the discussion in the [Message Center](/v1/docs/message-center).

## Object Discussion Forums

Object discussion forums are those that are attached to a course or session. Object discussions must be enabled at both the [account](/v1/docs/account-settings#enable-discussions) and course level. If the discussion is for a specific instructor-led session, it must be [enabled for the session](/v1/docs/instructor-led-session-main#enable-discussions). Course and session-specific discussion forums do not have permissions associated with them. Any user who is able to view the course or session details can participate in the discussion.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7efaadab-fef6-4186-806a-2ca14c9ce9ea/Images/Documentation/Course%20Discussion%2020210825.png)

Users who can view the course or session can view its associated discussion from the [course details page](/v1/docs/learner-interface-course-details-discussion). If a user [subscribes to a course or session discussion](/v1/docs/learner-interface-subscribing-to-a-course-discussion), they can also view the discussion from the [Message Center](/v1/docs/message-center).

## Related

- [Account: Settings](/account-settings.md)
- [Adding an Adhoc Discussion Forum](/adding-an-adhoc-discussion-forum.md)
- [Discussion Forums Dashboard](/discussion-forums-dashboard.md)
- [Editing a Discussion Forum](/editing-a-discussion-forum.md)
- [Instructor-Led Session: Main](/instructor-led-session-main.md)
- [Message Center](/message-center.md)
- [Online Course: Main](/online-course-main.md)
- [SCORM Course: Main](/scorm-course-main.md)
- [Viewing Discussion Forums](/viewing-discussion-forums.md)