Canvas Discussions/Announcements Redesign

Canvas Discussions/Announcements Redesign

Starting July 20, 2024, all Canvas users will experience redesigned Announcements and Discussions. This redesign introduces new features and options, such as improved accessibility, the ability to create anonymous discussions, and the ability to view a discussion's edit history. Instructure created a data sheet that compares legacy and redesigned features. 

The Canvas Instructor Guide has also been updated to include how-to articles for Announcements redesign and Discussions redesign

Please note because Instructure is enforcing this redesign, faculty will no longer have access to the legacy versions of Announcements and Discussions. We understand this is a significant change, and we are available to assist with this transition; please see our contact options at the bottom of the page or request Canvas support directly.

Discussion and Announcement Toolbar Update

Note the toolbar has moved to the top of the discussion and announcement thread screens.

  1. Search posts using the search field.
  2. Select Unread in the post type dropdown to view unread posts.
  3. Click the Sort button to view oldest or newest posts first.
  4. Change views by clicking the View Inline/View Split Screen button.
  5. Student replies have a time stamp.

Canvas Discussions Redesign

Anonymous Discussions

One new feature is the ability to create fully or partially anonymous discussions. The feature is set to "off" by default, and student names and profile pictures will be visible to other course members. Partially anonymous discussions allow students to reveal their names and profile pictures. Fully anonymous discussions hides students' names and profile pictures.

For more information on this feature, please visit the Canvas Instructor Guide.

 

Enable Student-Created Discussions

Instructors can allow students to create discussion posts. To enable this, follow these steps:

  1. Select Settings (the gear icon) at the top of the page. 
  2. In Discussion Settings, select Create discussion topics
  3. Click the box for Create anonymous discussion topics to enable students to create anonymous discussions.

Discussion options for student settings

Considerations

Threaded discussion is not supported. Discussion replies will appear in a sidebar. To view replies, click the number under a discussion reply, and a sidebar will appear. A discussion reply can support up to one additional reply. After one additional reply is posted, replies can be made by clicking the Quote link.

Discussion Reply Sidebar
Discussion Reply Sidebar

Changes to Announcement Delayed Posting

The Announcements redesign includes changes to the interface where delayed post settings are made. Please follow the steps below to delay the posting of an announcement.

To make your announcement available on a specific date or during a specific date range:

  1. Enter a date in the Available From field.
  2. Enter a date in the Until field.
  3. Or click the calendar icons to select dates.
  4. To add a time, click the Time drop-down menu. You can enter a time or select a time from the drop-down menu.
  5. To reset the date and time fields, click the Reset button. You are not required to enter dates in both of these fields, so if you want to delay your posting but do want your post to appear indefinitely, you can leave the Until field blank.
announcement redesign delayed posting settings steps 1 through 5

Note:

  • The Available From date is also the date the announcement is published.
  • If there is no Until date, the announcement remains visible.
  • Once the Until date is reached, the announcement is no longer visible to students.