How to Create Discussions

Canvas Tutorials How to Create Discussions

Instructor Creating Content Module

Creating Discussions

 Rich Content Editor Changes Coming Soon

Starting with the January 18, 2020 Canvas release Links to an external site. the new rich content editor will be available as course level feature option. Instructors can choose to turn on the new editor. Please note this change will affect student view as well.

Starting on May 15, 2020 ALL courses will have the new rich content editor enabled!

All of the external tool options (Studio, YouTube, Films on Demand etc) will be in a different location in the new editor toolbar. See Rich Content Editor Update (Coming Soon). 

 You can create non-graded and graded discussion from the Discussion page. Click the Discussions tab in the left navigation. On the discussion page click +Discussion to create a new discussion topic. View the tabbed menu below for more information about discussions. 

Video Overview

View the video. 

516a - Discussions Overview Links to an external site. from Canvas LMS Links to an external site. on Vimeo Links to an external site..

Important Notes

Below are some helpful suggestions on what discussion settings to apply when creating discussion activities. 

  • Discussion Settings (From Discussion Index page) - The discussion settings can be configured from the discussion list page. Click the gear icon in upper right corner of the discussion index page. In the dialog box  there are four options.
    • Manually mark posts as read - This is a personal setting for all users. This allows users to manually check posts as read. Please note if you hide the discussion index page from students, they will not be able to set this setting. 
    • Create discussion topics - If this option is checked, students can to create discussion topics. It is highly recommended to leave this option unchecked especially if there are graded discussions in the course. This will remove the +Discussion button on the discussion index page for students. Too many students become confused by this option and will create a new discussion topic when they really just meant to post a reply in a discussion topic. This will make grading the discussions difficult.
    • Edit and delete their own posts - If this option is checked, students will  be able to edit or delete their own posts in the discussion. If you don't want students editing posts, uncheck this option. Unfortunately, at this time the two options cannot be applied separately. It is all or nothing.
    • Attach Files to Discussions - This option is checked by default and allows students to see the option to attach a file to the discussion post. If you don't want students adding attachments, uncheck this option. Note: If you plan to grade the attachments, the attachments will not display in the preview window in the SpeedGrader. If this is desired, it make be best to set the assignment up as an assignment with online submission.
  • Discussion Settings (When editing a discussion) - Below are helpful tips on configuring discussion settings to improve student engagement. 
    • Allow Threaded Replies - The Allow Threaded Replies option is particularly helpful with graded discussions. The discussions will be organized into threads that can collapsed and expanded. This is very helpful to instructors and students alike for determining which threads have new postings. Instructors can click the gear icon next to a thread to edit, delete, or open in the SpeedGrader.
    • Users must post before seeing replies - When the discussion option,Users Must Post Before Seeing Replies, is turned on in a discussion topic students will not see any other student's posts until they have created a first post. This is useful especially if students are required to answer the same discussion questions.
    • Enable podcast feed - Check this option if you plan to create a new post on regular basis. You can include audio or video content. This option will create an RSS feed that encapsulates the audio/video content. Students can subscribe to the RSS feed using software that is designed to capture the feed. 
    • Graded - Check this option to make the discussion a graded discussion. The discussion settings below these settings will change and include points, grade display options,  peer review and assign to options just like assignments. Graded discussions will display an assignment icon next to them in the discussion list on the discussion page. On the assignment page discussions will be listed with discussion bubble icon. 
    • Allow liking - Check this option to include a Facebook like like button. Students can click the hand icon to promote discussion replies. 
    • Add to student to-do - This option is only available for non-graded discussions. Graded discussions will automatically display on the students To Do list by the due date. When checked this option will allow the instructor to set a date for the discussion. The discussion will then display in the students' To Do lists the date set on their To Do lists. 

Graded Discussion Tips

Below are some tips to increase student engagement in discussions. Each course and instructor is different so not all suggestions will apply.

Add an icebreaker discussion - Students taking a course online are often unsure of where to start. An icebreaker discussion is great way to start an online course. You can make the discussion graded with a few points to encourage participation. The discussions in the Canvas Community include many different ideas for setting up an icebreaker discussion.  

Encourage students to post media - The new Studio option is available to students and instructors. This option allows users to create new content or upload previously created media content to their Studio account. This content can be added to a discussion from the rich content editor toolbar. 

Include at least one non-graded discussion - Online students often feel isolated so be sure to include at least one non-graded discussion in the course even if you don't plan to use discussion for graded participation. Encourage students to hang out and ask questions. Since the discussion open to all students they all benefit from the answers you post in the discussion. This can reduce the number of inbox messages you receive from students who are all asking the same questions.

Encourage Mobile Use - More students than ever are using the Canvas mobile app to connect to their online and hybrid courses. Take advantage of this modality by offering discussions designed for this format. For example, create a discussion where students post pictures they take with their mobile devices.

Set Clear Expectations - Give students clear expectations of what is expected in an online discussion. In the discussion directions give students examples of what a quality first post should include and what is expected in replies to other students. Use a rubric to show the criteria you are looking for in their posts. The rubric will be helpful with grading in the SpeedGrader as well.

Canvas Guides

Note: These guides are maintained by the Canvas Documentation Team and are available on the Canvas Community site Links to an external site.. Some of the information in these guides may not apply to the Lake Land College instance of Canvas. If you have a question about a feature mentioned in these guides, please review Getting Help page for details on who to contact at Lake Land College.