Discussions (Student)

As of May 6, 2024 Canvas discussion boards have a new user interface.

Some of the new features include:

Different Viewing Options: Choose between Inline and Split Screen views for enhanced readability.
"@" Communication Tools: Mention individuals in posts with “@” to interact with others in the course.
Quote Previous Replies: Include original replies within responses for clarity.
Anonymous Discussion Settings: Facilitate open dialogue with fully or partially anonymous discussions.
Added Filtering and Sorting: Navigate discussions with options to filter by unread, all, or read, and sort from newest to oldest or oldest to newest.

Please note: On the Canvas Mobile App fonts may appear small or light colored. The workaround is to use a browser and/or "desktop mode" to view the Canvas Discussion Tool.

How do I use Discussions Redesign as a student?

Some elements of the Discussion Interface Look Different

Discussion Post

The Subscribe Button has changed to a Bookmark Icon

The Search and Organization Menu is now located at the Top of the Discussion Post

The “Mark as Read” and “Mark as Unread” Controls now exist in the Three-Dot-Menu

The Reply Button is now Blue and there is more WhiteSpace overall in the interface

If the Discussion Post is set up as a Group Discussion, this is now indicated by the Group Icon in the upper left-hand corner of the Discussion Post

Discussion Assignment Details

Points Possible have moved to the upper righthand corner of the Discussion Post

Due Dates have moved to the upper lefthand corner of the Discussion Post

How do I use Discussions Tool as a student?

Open Discussions

To view class discussions, click the Discussions link in Course Navigation.

Open Discussion

Click the name of a discussion.

View Discussion

A discussion displayed in the Discussions Redesign interface includes three sections: the discussion toolbar [1], discussion topic [2], and discussion replies [3].

View Discussion Toolbar

The discussion toolbar remains at the top of the discussion topic when you are viewing discussion replies.

To search for replies or specific authors, enter your terms in the search field [1].

To filter replies, click the All drop-down menu [2]. You can filter by all replies or unread replies.

To sort replies by newest or oldest, click the Sort button [3].

To view threaded replies in a split screen sidebar, click the View Split Screen button [4].

To view threaded replies all at once, click the Expand Threads button [5]. You can collapse the threaded replies by clicking the Collapse Threads button [6].

To view threaded replies inline, click the Inline button [7].

View Anonymous Discussion Message

If the discussion is an anonymous discussion, a message displays noting that your name and profile picture will be hidden from other course members.

View Discussion Topic

The discussion topic section includes important information about the discussion, including the discussion title [1] and description [2].

You can also view the name of the author [3], user role labels for TAs and Teacher (Instructor) roles [4] the date and time the discussion was published [5], due date [6], the number of points possible [7], and number of replies [8].

Note: If the discussion is an anonymous discussion, student names and profile pictures do not display. Posts created by the instructor display the instructor's name and profile picture.

View Discussion Options

To view the Options menu for a discussion, click the Options icon [1].

To mark all replies as read, click the Mark All as Read link [2]. To view the discussion rubric, click the Show Rubric link [3].

Note: If the Show Rubric link does not display in the Options menu, a rubric has not been added to the discussion by your instructor.

View Discussion Replies

Discussion replies display below the discussion topic. Learn how to view and sort discussion replies and