Set Up Small Group Discussions

Last updated on June 30, 2026

You can use the Canvas Group Discussions feature to create identical discussion topics for different groups in your class. Students will only be able to see posts from other members of their group. Consider using this feature to group students by interest, create a more intimate environment by reducing the discussion group size, or implement a jigsaw activity where each small group of students learns about a topic then teaches the class. You can also use this tool to facilitate communication for group projects such as collaborative papers, presentations, or research projects.

Directions

Create Group Discussion

1. Log in to your Canvas Account.
2. Select the Course you’d like to work in.
3. Click Modules on the course navigation menu to the left.
4. Scroll to the Module where you want your discussion is located.
5. Click the + icon to the right of the module name.
6. Select Discussion from the Assignment drop-down menu.
7. Click Create Topic.
8. Enter a name for the discussion in the Topic Name field.
9. Click Add Item.
10. Click the name of the discussion you just created.
11. Click the three dots at the top right of the discussion.
12. Select edit from the drop-down menu.
13. Enter the discussion prompt and instructions in the large text box.
14. Select discussion setting options from the list of options.
    • Note: For more guidance on each option, view our tutorial, Create a discussion in Canvas.
15. Select This is a Group Discussion at the bottom of the Options list.
16. Click the drop-down menu under Group Set.
17. Select the appropriate group set.
    • Alternatively, select Create New Category to create a new group set.
    • For guidance on creating group sets in Canvas, view our tutorial, Create Groups in Canvas.
18. Finish adjusting the discussions settings.
19. Click Save or Save and Publish at the bottom right of the screen when ready.

Assign Different Discussion Topics or Due Dates to Different Groups

The Group Discussion feature can also be used to assign different due dates to different groups. You can also give an extra discussion to a group, exempt a group from a certain discussion, or assign different discussion topics to different groups, by using the “Assign to” field, described below.

Within the Discussion settings:

1. Scroll down to the Assignment Settings.
2. Click the Assign to box.
3. Select a group from the group set selected earlier.
   • Note: You may select more than one group if they will have the same due date. If all groups will have the same assignment and due date, skip this section and leave the Assign To box as Everyone.
4. Select the Due Date and Time for that group’s assignment.
   • Note: Graded must be selected from the discussion options for a due date to appear.
   • If using Graded Checkpoints, you will need to select a Due Date for the original post as well as for any additional replies.
5. Optionally, select an Available from and Until Date and Time.
6. Click the + Assign To button if you wish to give another group a different due date for the same discussion post.
7. Repeat steps 2-6 for as many groups as necessary.
8. Click Save.

Have questions?

Need additional support on this or other teaching and learning topics? Please visit us for drop-in support (10am-3pm, M-F) or try one of our self-help tutorials. 

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