How do I create a new idea conversation in the Instructure Community?

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Idea conversations allow people to initiate conversations about desired improvements or enhancements to Instructure product functionality. It is one of many inputs considered when choosing to build new features into Instructure products. Idea Conversations are found in the Roadmap section of each product menu or from product landing pages throughout the Community. Learn more about the feature idea process.

Idea conversations are one of many feedback resources considered by Instructure product teams during the feature development process.

Note: Please follow all guidelines and policies for submitting a new idea conversation or your idea may be archived or you may be asked to revise your idea.

Note: To create a new idea conversation in the Instructure Community, you must be ranked as a Member or above. Community members with the New Member rank cannot create new idea conversations. However, New Members may still comment on and rate existing idea conversations. Learn more about Community ranks.

Open Idea Conversations

To open the Idea Conversations space for a product, click the product name in the navigation menu [1].

To view all Idea Conversations and participate in the conversations, click the Idea Conversations link [2].

Idea Conversation Forums by product:

• Canvas Idea Conversations
• Mastery Idea Conversations
• Elevate Idea Conversations
• Impact Idea Conversations

View Existing Idea Conversations

Before posting your idea, see if your idea or a version of your idea has been suggested.

By default, you can view all existing idea conversations that are Open in the Idea Conversations feed [1].

By default, ideas are sorted by date created. To sort and filter idea conversations by status, product, and date, use the filter drop-downs [2].

Search Existing Idea Conversations

By default, the search bar only returns results from the Idea Conversations space [1].

To search for ideas by keyword, enter keywords in the Search field [2].

To view an idea conversation, click on the idea conversation title [3].

To view paginated results including more search results, press the Enter key (on a PC) or Return key (on a Mac) to run a complete search.

Note: To avoid unwanted search results, we recommend avoiding common words, such as articles ("a", "the", "an", etc.), when searching existing idea conversations.

Comment, Rate, and Subscribe to an Idea

Add comments

If your idea is a slight variation of an existing conversations or you have additional thoughts, you may want to add comments to the existing conversation thread.

Rate the idea

If the idea is in the open for conversation stage, you can rate the idea.

Subscribe to the idea

If you'd like to keep an eye on the idea (along with the comments and status), you can subscribe to the idea.

Start a New Idea Conversation

To create a new idea, click the Suggest an idea button.

Note: You must be logged into the Instructure Community and have at least a Member rank to suggest an idea.

Check New Idea Conversation

Enter a subject for your new idea conversation in the Subject field [1]. Be sure to write a clear and descriptive idea subject. To check if similar ideas have already been submitted, click the Check Title button [2].

The Community platform automatically searches for similar ideas using keywords in your idea subject. If you see a similar idea, click the idea title to rate and comment on the idea. Duplicate ideas are merged into existing idea conversations. To view additional search results for similar ideas, click the View more results link [1].

If your idea has not been suggested previously, click the My topic hasn't been posted before checkbox [2]. To continue posting your idea, click the Continue and Post button [3].

Submit New Idea

Complete all fields in the New Idea Conversation form. Please provide a clear explanation of the problem or opportunity you're encountering and your proposed solution or change to the product. All fields are required. To submit your idea, click the Submit Idea button.

Note: Please follow all guidelines and policies for submitting a new idea conversation or your idea may be archived or you may be asked to revise your idea.

Subscribe or Bookmark your Idea Conversation

To view the options for your idea conversation, click the Options icon [1].

By default, you are automatically subscribed to ideas you create. Subscriptions allow you to receive email updates whenever users interact with your idea conversation. To unsubscribe to your idea, click the Unsubscribe option [2].

To bookmark your idea conversation, click the Bookmark option [3]. Bookmarks enable you to list your conversation on a special page so you can easily find it again.

Your continued support and participation in the community forums are very valuable to Instructure, our products, and the user experience. We urge you to keep sharing, commenting, and rating.