9.5 New Discussions July Updates

New Features and Updates (July 2024)

The following covers the most recent changes to Canvas Discussions announced in the July 2024 CSM webinar. For a comprehensive overview of these features and other Canvas updates, we recommend reviewing the slide deck Links to an external site. and watching the webinar recording Links to an external site..

Before delving into the Discussions updates, here are the top three announcements from the CSM webinar:

1. AI-Powered Smart Search: Available by July 18, this feature allows searching through course content to find pages, assignments, discussions, and more. It uses AI to understand context behind queries in over 100 languages.
2. Khanmigo for Teachers Canvas Integration: Coming in October, this integration will allow seamless switching between planning, grading, and student communication within Canvas, powered by 20+ AI tools.
3. AI-Powered Translations: Available by September, this feature will enable translation of inbox messages and discussions into over 100 languages, enhancing communication with non-native speakers.

Now, let's explore the latest updates to the Discussions tool:

A new AI-powered discussion summary feature is now available for instructors and administrators. This tool helps surface trends and identify areas for further conversation within discussion threads.

• Available from July 18, 2024
• Summaries update automatically as new replies are added
• Customize summaries by inputting specific focus areas
• Access trends and key points without reading every post

To use this feature, look for the "View Summary" option when viewing a discussion thread.

Posts are now sorted by the post date of the top-level reply. This change:

• Matches the legacy behavior of discussions
• Prevents posts from shifting order as new replies are added
• Improves continuity and readability of discussion threads

The edit functionality for posts has been relocated:

1. Click the three-dot menu next to a post
2. Select "Edit" from the dropdown menu

This change applies to both your own posts and, for instructors, student posts you have permission to edit.

A new quote reply feature has been added to facilitate more contextual responses:

1. Click the "Quote" option beneath a post
2. The original post will be quoted in your reply box
3. Add your response below the quote

This feature helps maintain clarity in complex discussion threads.

An anonymous flagging system has been implemented for reporting inappropriate content:

1. Click the three-dot menu next to a post
2. Select "Report" from the dropdown menu
3. Provide a reason for the report when prompted

Reports are anonymous and will be reviewed by course administrators.

The subscribe functionality has been updated:

• The subscribe button now resembles a bookmark icon
• Users are automatically subscribed to a thread when they participate
• To manually subscribe/unsubscribe, click the bookmark icon at the top of a discussion thread

• The "Show rubric" option remains hidden for discussions
• When deleting an announcement, you will be automatically redirected to the discussions page
• You can now edit anonymous or partially anonymous discussions before any replies have been posted
• A new one-click "Mark as read/unread" button has been added at the bottom of posts for quicker thread management