What Is Ed Discussion?
Ed Discussion is an online discussion platform for classes of any size or modality. It is ideal for open forums in which students can ask (and answer) questions about course content and logistics. It includes features like multimedia posts, image annotation, LaTeX for mathematical expressions, and runnable code snippets compatible with various programming languages, making it a powerful tool for collaborative and interactive learning across disciplines.
For graded discussions, we recommend using Canvas Discussions.
Add Ed Discussion to your Canvas course by enabling it in your course navigation (follow this guide on customizing your course navigation). Once added, click on Ed Discussion to set up your course.
Why Use Ed Discussion?
- Ed Discussion is FERPA-compliant (i.e., it keeps student data private).
- It integrates with the Canvas roster so students are enrolled.
- It is ideal for open, informal, student-initiated discussions about assignments, materials, schedules, and policies.
- Ed Discussion promotes community, open communication, and collaborative learning by centralizing class discussions and encouraging active peer-to-peer engagement.
- It allows students to ask and answer each other’s questions and keeps all course related questions, answers and discussions organized, visible to all and easily accessible.
- Instructors can enable students to post anonymously, encouraging wider participation from those who may feel hesitant to ask questions in class.
- Instructors can endorse student responses, helping guide students toward reliable information.
- You can answer a question once, and all students will see it.
- Polls can be created to gauge student opinions or feelings.
Resources
- Ed Help: getting started guides and resources for instructors and students
- The mobile-friendly web app allows students to participate from anywhere.
- Sample Syllabus Language for Ed Discussion: just a starting point, customize for your syllabi
Support
UCSC Support: For support with this tool, visit Instructional Technology Office Hours or contact ITS (UCSC ITS Ed Discussion page).
Ed Discussion Support can be reached at support@edstem.org. It helps to include the course name, what went wrong, and which browser you were using.