The Canvas Discussions & Announcements features have recently been redesigned. These new features will be enabled by default in all courses after July 20th, 2024.

The Canvas Discussion/Announcements redesign allows for better peer-to-peer interaction through a modern discussion forum. With improved design for a more accessible experience, coupled with a variety of improved features for better usability, Canvas Discussions allows for a more relevant and more efficient Discussion experience.

Screenshot showing the new Canvas Discussion/Announcements Redesign user interface.

What Changes have been Made?

The following modifications have been made to individual topics:

  • The toolbar has been moved to the top of the discussion and announcement thread.
  • Newest replies display at the top of the first page instead of the bottom of the last page.
  • Users can sort replies from newest to oldest, or oldest to newest.
  • Users can also quickly move to the top of the discussion or announcement at any time.

New Features

Below are some of the new features available in the Discussions Redesign:

  • Cleaner UI for accessibility
  • Flexible viewing options, including inline and split view
  • Reply reporting with notifications to instructors
  • Quoting functionality
  • Improved search with highlighting
  • Full and partial anonymous graded Discussions
  • Additional sorting and filtering options for users

Discussion Redesign Video

How to Enable the Feature Preview

These new features will be enabled by default in all courses after July 20th, 2024. Instructors can enable these new features now in their course settings.

  • Navigate to your Canvas course
  • Select Settings from the course menu
  • Select the Features Options tab
  • Look for Discussions/Announcements Redesign feature preview and select the enable button next to it.

Screenshot snippet of the Canvas Discussions/Announcements redesign feature in course settings.

NOTE: you will need to enable this feature for each course you wish to use with these new features.

Learn More

View the Canvas Instructor Guide for more detailed information.
View a two-page overview on the changes.

Questions and Support

If you have questions or need assistance with Canvas, please contact Chemeketa Online Technical Support.

Technology UpdatesCanvasCanvas Discussions/Announcements Redesign