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Create an Online Discussion

Canvas Teaching Tips - Get the most out of Canvas

Canvas Teaching Tips are distributed by the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Online and Academic Technology Services office and offer SHORT helpful tips about Canvas, online learning, and academic technology.

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Create an Online Discussion

Online discussions in Canvas are a great way to get students talking and learning together about a subject. Students can explore a topic, discuss different ideas, and find common ground.

In a face-to-face course, discussions provide a great opportunity for all students to contribute (including those who don’t typically speak up in class). In an online course, they are an important avenue for student-to-student interaction.

Three students at computers with dashed blue lines between them indicating they are connected through online discussion boards. At the bottom is text which reads Images adapted from images by pikisuperstar

Ideas for Discussions:

  • Reflection
  • Debate
  • Discussion on a posted video
  • Question forum
  • Community building
  • Small group discussions

Canvas Guides

Discussion Tips

  • An introduction discussion is a great way to get students accustomed to the discussion format
  • Instructor participation is very important
  • Discussions need to be graded so students take them seriously
  • Get students to engage more by requiring them to post one original post and then respond at least twice to others

 




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If you'd like to learn more about this Canvas tip, or Canvas in general, please contact our office at 405.325.5854 or casonline@ou.edu.