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Discussions are used within Canvas for students to communicate with one another in collaborative ways. The possibilities within Discussions are that they can be whole-class or group-based (small-group) and have initial and/or reply posts.
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Interface Changes that Instructors will see in the Discussion Board
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Discussion PostPublish Button is now a Checkmark Icon The Subscribe Button has changed to a Bookmark Icon The Edit Button is now located within the Three-Dot-Menu  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 DetailsPoints 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 |
Course-Level Features
Interface Modifications
New Features from the Discussion Redesign
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Canvas documentation for the Redesigned Interface Modifications
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Interface ModificationsFor individual discussion and announcement topics, the interface has been expanded for maximum space and ensure responsive views. The following modifications have been made to individual topics:
Classic Discussions vs New Discussions  |
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Feature ParityThe following functionality has been included for parity with classic Discussions:
The following functionality has been included for parity with classic Announcements:
Additional parity features will be added in future releases. Additional FunctionalityRole LabelsDiscussion and announcement threads display a label for users with TA roles and Teacher (Instructor) roles. This feature helps students more quickly identify users with instructor-based roles in the course. Threads also include a label indicating the discussion or announcement author. Author and Teacher Labels  |
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Flexible Viewing OptionsWhen a reply includes additional replies, the number of replies is displayed, as well as the number of unread replies (specific to the user viewing the reply). Users can choose to view these replies inline or in a split view. |
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MentionsUsers can mention other users in discussion replies by using the @ symbol. All available users in the course display in the drop-down menu. Note: For users to be able to mention other users in discussion replies, the permission Conversations - send messages to individual course members needs to be enabled. Mentions in DIscussions  If they are mentioned, users with the Discussions - New Mention notification enabled will receive notifications. QuotesUsers can quote other replies as part of their discussion reply. Quotes in discussion replies  |
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Reply ReportingWithin individual discussions, replies can be reported by students and teachers. Teachers can choose to enable reporting in the Discussions Settings menu. Discussion Settings  Once enabled, all users can report replies by clicking the Settings menu for the reply and clicking the Report link. Report Button  When a reply is reported by a user, the user must indicate why the reply is being reported (inappropriate, offensive and/or abusive, or Other). Reporting a reply cannot be undone. Report Reply Window  Once a user reports a reply, the Settings menu option displays to that user as Reported. That user cannot report the reply again, but other users can still report the reply. Discussion Menu with Reported Button  |
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Reported Reply Notifications (Teachers) |
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To be notified of reported replies, teachers can enable the Discussions Reported Reply notification when accessing course-level notifications from inside a course. If you select a course and then go to View Course Notifications on the Home page, the option will be there. Email notifications include a direct link to the reply that has been reported. Reporting a reply does not hide the reply; all replies are still visible to all users. However, teachers can choose to edit or delete the reported reply. Note: Once a reply is reported, it always displays as Reported and cannot be cleared by teachers. Course Notifications: Reported Reply Option  |
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Anonymous DiscussionsDiscussions allow teachers to create anonymous discussions. This option displays when creating a new discussion for a course. By default this option is set to off. When anonymity is turned on for a discussion, grading and groups are not supported. Anonymous Discussion Option  |
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When the Discussion Settings menu option is selected for students to create discussions, the option is also included to allow students to create anonymous discussions. This option is not selected by default. Teacher Discussions Settings page and Anonymous Discussions  |
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When an anonymous discussion exists in the course, the Discussions page indicates anonymous discussions before a student opens the discussion. Anonymous Discussion in the Discussions Index Page  |
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Users with a teacher, TA, or designer role in the course will never be anonymous. However, student names and profile pictures are hidden from other course members, including teachers. Admins who are not explicitly enrolled as a teacher, TA, or designer and create a reply also display as anonymous. Additionally, users who view a course without having a course enrollment (such as when participating in a public course) also display as anonymous. Anonymous Discussion Thread 
Anonymous discussion posts include the standard settings options, including reporting replies. When an observer views a fully anonymous discussion, the text now displays This is an anonymous Discussion. Student names and profile pictures are hidden. When an observer views a partially anonymous discussion, the text now displays Students have the option to reply anonymously. Some names and profile pictures may be hidden. Observer View Fully Anonymous Discussion  |
 Observer View Partially Anonymous Discussion |
How do I use Discussions Tool as an instructor?
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