Search all Discussion Boards for Name or Phrase

[AnnPalazzo]

Hello,
I have been seeking a way to search all of the discussion boards in a course for a name (in order to gauge overall participation). Is there a way to do that now? There was a conversation in 2017 but I can't find anything more recent addressing this issue.  

[kmeeusen · Accepted solution]

Hi @AnnPalazzo 

It is rather tricksie, but this can be done with New Analytics.

I Went to New Analytics, then..........

• I filtered to just view Discussions,
• Then I switched to Data Table view,
• Then I clicked on the blue %participation link on the far right of each discussion,
• Then choose the "Missing" to display the names of those who did not participate.

Again, not real dynamic, but it does work.

What I do is simply go to a discussion column in the gradebook, and look down the column to see who did and did not participate.

Good luck,

Kelley

[aweiss6]

I've long had this same question, and thank you Kelley for your response. Does anyone know the best way to suggest (i.e., desperately beg) Canvas to create a simpler way to do this? Blackboard, for example, allows instructors to search all posts throughout the term, or within a given date range. Adding this feature in Canvas would make my life SO much easier!

Thank you,

Aaron Weiss
College of Idaho
Dept. of Anthropology & Sociology

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @aweiss6 ...

The Canvas Community website does have a specific area where you can make new suggestions for enhancements/improvements.  I'd encourage you to check out the Guides listed under the heading "Ideas and Themes" at this link: Instructure Community Guide - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).  In particular, look at the link on how to create new ideas.

I hope this will be of some help to you!  Good luck!