How do I create a graded discussion?

By default, graded discussions you create in your course will be assigned to everyone. You can specify a due date and availability dates that apply to everyone. You can also assign a graded discussion to an individual student, course section, or course group.

When Multiple Grading Periods are enabled in a course, graded discussions are also validated against closed grading periods.

Notes:

Open Discussions

Open Discussions

In Course Navigation, click the Discussions link.

Add Discussion

Click the Add Discussion button.

Enter Discussion Details

Enter Discussion Details

Enter a topic title [1] and discussion details [2]. You can also attach files [3].

Learn more about creating a discussion.

Set Graded Discussion

Set Graded Discussion

Click the Graded checkbox.

Note: Graded discussions cannot be anonymous. If the Graded checkbox is not visible, you may need to turn off anonymous discussion.

Enter Grading Details

Enter Grading Details

Enter the total number of points possible in the Points Possible field [1].

To select a grading type, click the Display Grade As drop-down menu [2]. Then, select a grading type. You can display grades as points, percentages, complete/incomplete, a letter grade, or a GPA scale.

To choose an assignment group, click the Assignment Group drop-down menu [3]. Then, select a group.

Choose Letter Grade Scheme

Choose Letter Grade Scheme

If you display grades as letter grades, the grading scheme defaults to the Default Canvas Grading Scheme. To select another grading scheme, click the Grading Scheme drop-down menu [1] and select another scheme.

You can view [2] or copy [3] the current grading scheme. You can also create a new grading scheme [4] or manage all grading schemes [5].

Learn more about adding grading schemes to an assignment such as a graded discussion.

Manage Peer Reviews

Manage Peer Reviews

By default, peer reviews are not assigned.

To assign peer reviews manually, click the Assign manually radio button [1].

To assign peer reviews automatically, click the Automatically assign radio button [2].

Assign to Everyone

To manage assignees, the discussion due date, or availability dates, go to the Assignment Settings and click on Assign To[1].

By default, Canvas assigns your graded discussion to everyone in your course [2].

Edit Due and Availability Dates

In the date fields, add your preferred date(s) for the following:

  • Due Date [1]: Set the date and time that the graded discussion is due.
  • Available From [2]: Set the date and time when the discussion will become available.
  • Until [3]: Set the date and time when the discussion will no longer be available.

Notes:

  • If you have set section override dates in your course, you may need to select a course section and set due and availability dates that fall within the section override dates.
  • If the course does not include specified course start and end dates, Canvas validates the discussion against the term date set for the course.
  • If your course is not using Multiple Grading Periods, the due date is validated against the closed grading period and requires the discussion date to be past the date of the closed grading period.

Apply Changes

To save the discussion assignment details, click the Assign To button.

Save Discussion

Save Discussion

If you are ready to publish your discussion, click the Save and Publish button [1]. To create a draft of your discussion and publish it later, click the Save button [2].