For more information, please read through the Canvas Release Notes (2025-11-15)
Our program operates on a rolling enrollment model, meaning students are working through the course at different times and paces. As a result, traditional discussion boards are not effective. They do not foster meaningful collaboration or promote deeper thinking. Most students treat the discussion area as a one-time writing task: they post their response and move on. Since peers may not be active at the same point in the course, student-to-student interaction is rare, and the intended benefits of discussion—critical thinking, engagement, and diverse perspectives—are often lost.
I propose integrating an AI-powered response tool into the discussion area. When a student submits their initial post, the AI would analyze the content in relation to the discussion prompt and generate a thoughtful, personalized reply. This reply could include a follow-up question, a counterpoint, or additional context to encourage deeper reflection. Students would then be required to respond to the AI’s prompt, ensuring a second level of engagement with the topic. This feature would transform discussions from static posts into dynamic learning experiences that promote critical thinking, even in a self-paced environment.
