July 22, 2024
Canvas: Announcements and Discussions redesign
Submitted by Division of Information Technology
Canvas Announcements and Discussions have been updated with a new design and experience for the fall semester. The redesign includes an updated user interface and new features:
- Version history for edited posts: Instructors can view the version history for post edits.
- Inline and Split Screen views: Users can choose between two views to read replies. The Inline view displays all replies on the main topic page and can expand or collapse nested replies. The Split Screen view shows all replies to the initial post in a sidebar.
- Sort threads: Users can sort replies from newest to oldest or oldest to newest. Sorting is based on the most recent response.
- @mentions: Users can mention other users by typing @ and selecting the name from a list. Mentioned users receive a notification.
- Quote reply: When replying, users can quote the original post in their replies.
- Role labels: Role labels appear beside or beneath names for teachers, TAs and other roles. If a student created the topic, the label "author" appears next to the creator's name.
- Anonymous discussion topics: Discussion topics can be set to partially anonymous — students can opt to hide or show their name and profile pictures — or fully anonymous.
- Report inappropriate messages: A new Report option allows users to notify the teacher when they encounter inappropriate, offensive, or abusive messages.
- Improved search: Easier to search by highlighting.
View the Canvas knowledge base to learn more about using Announcements and Discussions. Watch this video and view the redesign PDF to learn more about the Discussions redesign. If you need help with the changes, contact the IT Service Desk.