Create a Discussion in Canvas

Last updated on November 22, 2024

Canvas provides many opportunities for student interaction and feedback. Among these is a discussion tool that allows students to interact with each other in a forum using the Rich Content Editor. You may then provide feedback or grades to each discussion post.

As of an update scheduled for January 18 2025, Canvas supports discussion checkpoints, meaning you can include separate points and due dates for the first reply a student makes to a discussion and any required follow-up replies.

Directions

1. Go to MSU Denver’s Faculty and Staff Hub.
2. Click Canvas in the Teaching & Learning section.
3. Log in to your Canvas Account.
4. Select the Course you’d like to work in.
5. Click Modules in the left-hand course navigation menu.
6. Locate the module to which you would like to add a discussion.
7. Click the + in the top right-hand corner of the module.
8. Click the drop-down menu that says “Assignment”.
9. Select Discussion from the list.
10. Click Create Topic.
11. Enter a Name for the discussion in the Topic Name text field.
12. Click Add Item in the bottom right-hand corner.
13. Click the Name of the discussion at the bottom of the module.
14. Click the More Options (3 Dots) icon in the top right-hand corner of the discussion.
15. Click Edit.
16. Enter a Prompt for the discussion in the large text field.
17. Select the Options you would like for the discussion.
    • Anonymous Discussions will hide the names and profile pictures from students’ replies. If partial anonymity is selected, students will have the option to reveal their information in their replies. Both partial and full anonymous discussions will disable grading.
    • Disallow Threaded Replies prevents students from making replies under another student’s reply. They will only be able to reply directly to the main prompt.
    • Enable Podcast Feed is an advanced option to allow for integration with podcast services. This is generally not advised.
    • Graded discussions will allow you to assign a point value to the discussion. Additionally, you can assign graded checkpoints. This will let you assign a point value and due date for a student’s first reply to the topic, and then a second point value and due date for any follow-up replies the student is required to submit.
    • Allow liking will give students the option to leave a “like” on another student’s reply. You can also only allow graders to like replies.
    • This is a group discussion will allow you to assign groups for the discussion. Students will only see replies from other students in their groups. Select the appropriate group set from the drop-down menu if this option is selected.
    • Display grade as will allow you to select different grading options, like points or letter grades.
    • Assignment Group 
    • Peer Reviews can be assigned automatically or manually. If automatic, you will need to select a number of reviews for each student and a due date. If Allow Intragroup Reciews is not selected, students will only review replies from students outside of their group.
18. Enter a due date and availability dates at the bottom of the page.
19. Click Save and publish in the bottom right-hand corner.