Overview
Ready to join the conversation? Harmonize Discussions make it easy to share your ideas, connect with classmates, and learn from one another.
You can write traditional discussion posts, but you're not limited to text! Harmonize also lets you share images and files, record audio or video, and respond directly to your classmates' work.
See How It Works
Use the interactive tutorial below to learn about Harmonize discussions. If you need or prefer step-by-step textual instructions, proceed to Check Your Discussion Instructions and Requirements.
Check Your Discussion Instructions and Requirements
Before you begin posting, review your instructor's instructions and participation requirements.
Review Instructions
Your instructor's instructions explain what you're expected to discuss, what to include in your work, and how your participation will be evaluated.
You may also see Focus Areas or a View Full Rubric button. These provide additional information about what your instructor is looking for.
Check Requirements and Due Dates
Some discussions have multiple requirements and due dates. For example, your instructor might ask you to:
- Publish one original post by Wednesday.
- Comment on two classmates' posts by Friday.
- Reply to two comments by Sunday.
Look for the Your Requirements section to see what you need to complete and when.
Create and Publish Your First Post
Ready to share your ideas? Here's how to create an original post in a Harmonize Discussion.
Step 1: Create a New Post
Click Create new post to open the post editor.
Step 2: Add Your Content
In the post editor, you can combine text, media, and other content to create your post.
- 1 Subject: Enter a title for your post. This field is required.
- 2 Tag Classmates: Optionally tag classmates to bring their attention to your post.
- 3 Add Text: Type your response using the rich text editor. You can format your writing with headings, lists, links, and other options.
- 4 Add Media and Files: Upload images, documents, presentations, or previously recorded audio and video.
- 5 Flag as Question for the Teacher: Use this option if your post contains a question you'd like your instructor to address.
- 6 Additional Content: Use the editor tools to record video, record audio, screen record, and more.
You can add multiple content rows to the same post, rearrange them using the arrow buttons, or delete individual rows using the trash icon.
Step 3: Preview and Publish
When you're finished, click Preview to see how your post will appear to others.
If everything looks good, click Publish.
Once published, your post will appear in the discussion and will be visible to the audience allowed by your instructor's discussion settings.
Remember: If your instructor has set a minimum word count, your post must meet it to count toward your participation requirements.
Not ready to publish? Harmonize automatically saves unpublished posts as drafts. You can return to your draft later and select Continue Editing.
Comment on Classmates' Posts and Reply to Conversations
Discussions aren't just about sharing your own ideas. They're also about responding to others! You can comment directly on a classmate's original post or reply to an existing comment to keep a conversation going.
Add a Comment
- Find a classmate's post in the discussion.
- Open the post to view its full content and comments.
- Click Add Comment or Reply.
- Write your response. You can also include media or attachments.
- Click Publish to add your comment to the conversation.
If your instructor has set a minimum word count for comments, be sure your response meets it. A comment that is too short won't count toward your participation requirements.
For more advanced commenting options, click More Options to access additional editing and media tools.
Other Ways to Participate
Depending on your instructor's settings, you may also be able to:
- React to posts: Use emoji reactions to respond to classmates' contributions.
- Tag classmates: Bring classmates into the conversation by mentioning them.
- Respond to media: Draw on images, add notes to documents, or make timestamped comments on videos.
For more detailed instructions, see Commenting on a Post.
Additional Tools and Guides
Want to do more with your discussions? Harmonize includes tools for creating and responding to different types of content.
Create and Share Content
- Record audio or video directly in Harmonize.
- Record your screen to share a presentation or demonstrate a process.
- Upload documents, images, and other files.
- Create polls and add links.
Learn more in Recording Video in Harmonize.
Interact With Media
- Add comments to documents.
- Draw or annotate images.
- Leave timestamped comments on videos.
For more information, see Respond within Video and Document Critique.
Get Feedback With AI Student Coaching
If your instructor has enabled AI Student Coaching, you may see a View AI Feedback button.
You can use this feature to review how well your work aligns with your instructor's rubric and identify areas for improvement. AI Student Coaching provides feedback for reflection and revision, but it does not write your posts for you or determine your final grade.
Learn more in the AI Coaching: Student Guide.
FAQs
Q. How do I find my Harmonize Discussion?
- Log in to your school's learning management system, such as Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, or Moodle. Navigate to your course and open the discussion assignment. You do not need a separate Harmonize account.
Q. What's the difference between a post, a comment, and a reply?
- An original post starts a new conversation. A comment responds to an original post, while a reply responds to an existing comment. If your instructor requires a particular number of posts, comments, or replies, make sure you're contributing in the correct place.
Q. Can I save my work and finish it later?
- Yes! Harmonize automatically saves unpublished posts as drafts. Return to your draft and click Continue Editing to pick up where you left off. Remember that a draft is not a published post and does not count as a completed contribution.
Q. Why can't I publish my post?
- Every original post needs a subject and at least one piece of content, such as text or an attached file. If you attempt to publish without the required information, Harmonize will display an error message explaining what's missing.
- You can publish a post even if it doesn't meet your instructor's minimum word count, but it won't count toward that participation requirement unless the minimum is met.
Q. Why can't I see my classmates' posts?
- Your instructor may require you to publish your own post before you can view other students' contributions. Some discussions also limit visibility to members of your assigned group or section, or are configured as private discussions between students and instructors. If you're unsure what you should be able to see, contact your instructor.
Q. Who can see my posts and comments?
- That depends on the discussion's visibility settings. In a typical class-wide discussion, your classmates and instructor can see your contributions. In a group or section discussion, your contributions may be visible only to students in that group or section and your instructors. Some discussions are private between you and your instructor.
Q. Why isn't my contribution showing as complete?
- Check the Your Requirements section to see whether you've completed the required number of posts, comments, and replies.
- If your instructor has set minimum word counts, make sure your contributions meet them. Minimums can be different for original posts and comments. For example, your instructor might require 200 words for an original post but only 75 words for each comment.
- A post or comment that is too short will not count toward your participation requirements, even if it was successfully published. Your progress meter won't fill for that contribution, and if your instructor uses automatic grading, you won't receive credit for it.
- Only words entered in the text editor count toward the minimum. Words in attached documents do not count.
- If you believe you've completed everything but your progress isn't updating correctly, contact your instructor or Harmonize Support.
Q. Does completing my requirements mean I'll receive full credit?
- Not necessarily. Your instructor may grade your work based on completion, quality, or a combination of both. Check the discussion instructions and rubric to understand how your work will be evaluated.
Q. Where can I see my grade?
- Your instructor will make your discussion grade available through your school's learning management system.
Q. What if I need help?
- For questions about your discussion instructions, deadlines, or grading, contact your instructor.
- For technical problems with Harmonize, contact support@harmonizelearning.com. Include your school, course, discussion title, and a description of the problem. Screenshots of any error messages are also helpful.