Canvas Discussions

The Discussions Tool allows you to create gradable (and non-gradable/non-assignment) discussion topics to which students can post and reply to text, images, and video. Discussions can be used with the whole class, allowing all students to interact with each other, or they can be used with small groups. Students can explore ideas, appreciate multiple perspectives, and solve problems with their peers in an online discussion. 

Assessment Discussion Strategies

  • Student introductions 
  • Ongoing Engagement - Coffee House, Reflection Lounge, or Zen Garden
  • Whole-class or small-group discussion centered around a course topic or theme
  • Debates
  • Role Play
  • Scenarios
  • Student presentations (e.g., video, digital poster) 

Info Features of the Discussions tool

  • The discussions tool provides a variety of settings for you to choose from including the following:
    • Graded or non-graded
    • Delay the posting
    • Lock the discussion topic to prevent students from posting new messages
    • Require students to post before they can read their peers' posts
    • Allow students to like posts
  • Creating a gradable discussion allows you to grade the student’s participation using SpeedGrader and allows you to add a rubric to the discussion.
  • You and your students have access to the rich content editor in the discussions tool which allows you to embed videos and images in a discussion post.

Strategies Logistical Considerations

There are a few logistical considerations before adding Discussions to your course:

  • What is the size of your class?
    • If you have a large class, consider creating smaller discussion groups.
  • Will participation in your online class discussions be required or optional?
    • If they are required, you will most likely need them to be gradable.
  • How many discussion assignments will you have, and will your students have to participate in all or some of them?
  • Will you grade the discussions?
    • If you grade discussions, what percentage of the final grade will online discussions constitute?
    • How will you grade discussions?
      • Will you use rubrics?
      • Will you use SpeedGrader to grade each discussion assignment?
  • What types of behaviors do you want to see (or not see) in the online discussions?
    • Include this information in your course expectations.
  • What type of instructions will you provide students to guide or prompt the discussions you want to see occur?
    • e.g., broad, open-ended question; question w/supporting details; scenario; peer-review
  • Where will you place the discussion prompt for each discussion assignment?
    • In the module, in the discussion area, both?
  • Who will facilitate each online discussion (e.g., instructor, specified student, TA, outside expert)?
    • How involved will the facilitator be in the discussion?
  • How will feedback (or scoring) be provided to each discussion facilitator?

Syllabus Grading Considerations

  • Depending on the size of your class, do you plan to create discussion questions for specific sections or student groups?
  • How will you grade the discussion?
    • What grading criteria will you provide to students?
    • Will you use a rubric to grade and provide feedback?
  • Do you want to incorporate a peer review option for your discussion?
  • Do you want students to respond within specific timelines and to a specific number of their peers?
  • Will the discussion count towards the students' total score or be used to satisfy extra credit requirements?

 Resources Discussion Resources

Using Discussion Boards to Create Community (Time 2:53) by LinkedIn Learning