Overview
This guide explains how to create a graded Harmonize discussion in your Blackboard course. Use the Table of Contents to navigate to written instructions for each section.
Creating Your Assignment
The steps for adding a graded discussion in Blackboard are slightly different depending on which course view you are using.
Original Course View
- Within your course, click Content from the left navigation menu.
- Click Build Content to open the Build Content menu, then select Harmonize.
- In the Harmonize Component Selector that appears, click Discussion.
- Click Create New.
- Enter a title for your discussion.
- Select the Graded option.
- Enter the maximum points for your discussion.
- Click the Create Discussion button.
- You will be redirected to your course Content page.
- Navigate to your Harmonize discussion and click the Options button located to the right of the discussion title.
- Choose Edit from the drop down menu.
- Set a due date and time for your discussion, then click Submit. This will save your due date and return you to your course Content page.
- On the course Content page, navigate to your Harmonize discussion and click the title.
- This will open the Harmonize Edit Topic window.
- Skip to the Editing Your Harmonize Discussion section of this guide.
Ultra Course View
- Navigate to the Content page within your course and click on the + button located beneath Course Content.
- Select Content Market from the drop down menu.
- In the Institution Tools section, find and select Harmonize.
- In the Harmonize Component Selector that appears, click Discussion.
- Click Create New.
- Enter a title for your discussion.
- Select the Graded option.
- Enter the number of points for your discussion.
- Click the Create Discussion button.
- You will be redirected to your course Content page.
- Navigate to your Harmonize discussion and click the Options button located to the right of the discussion title.
- Choose Edit from the drop down menu.
- Set a due date and time for your discussion, then click Save. This will save your due date and return you to your course Content page.
- On the course Content page, navigate to your Harmonize discussion and click the title.
- This will open the Harmonize Edit Topic window.
- Skip to the Editing Your Harmonize Discussion section of this guide.
Editing Your Harmonize Discussion
The Harmonize Edit Topic page consists of four main tabs: Instructions, Post Settings, Milestone Due Dates & Auto-Grading, and Student Facilitators. In this article we'll focus on the first three, but I will include links to help guides with more information on all four tabs.
Using Harmonize Brainstorm to Create Your Discussion Prompt
We’ve integrated ChatGPT into Harmonize and coupled it with sound pedagogy on what makes a good discussion prompt so you can write prompts more quickly and effectively. The instructional video at the top of this page touches on this feature and I've included an additional video below.
For even more information and step-by-step instructions, please see the following Harmonize Brainstorm help guide:
When using Harmonize Brainstorm, it's always a great idea to proofread the text and correct any mistakes you find. You are also free to add additional resources such videos or images to enrich your discussion prompt.
- Once your instructions are completed you are free to Save & Close the Harmonize Edit Topic page. You'll be able to publish the assignment in Canvas and your students will then be able to participate in your Harmonize discussion.
- However, if your Instructions require students to create multiple posts and comments, we highly recommend visiting the Milestones & Auto-Grading tab to set explicit participation requirements.
Setting Milestones (Multiple Due Dates) & Auto-Grading
Once your Instructions are written it's time to set your Milestone and participation Auto-Grading Settings. Please see the following links for more information on these features:
- Setting Milestones in Your Harmonize Discussion
- Setting Word Count Minimums for your Milestones
- Auto-Grading
- Configure your Milestones following the instructions in the articles above.
- Once you're finished, click the Save & Close button on the lower right of the Harmonize Edit Topic page. You've now successfully created your Harmonize discussion!
- When you're ready, publish the assignment in Canvas. Your students can now access and participate in the discussion.
Additional Discussion Settings: Plagiarism & AI Detection, Groups, and Student Facilitators
Would you like to learn about additional Harmonize features and settings such as enabling plagiarism & AI detection, setting up group discussions, or enabling Student Facilitators? Please see the links below for more information.
Post Settings
The Post Settings tab is where you'll enable your Turnitin integration and set up Group visibility. Outlining instructions here would make for a very long help guide, so I've instead provided links to additional guides that help explain these features:
Student Facilitators
Student Facilitation is a powerful tool for increasing engagement within your discussions and promote deeper learning for your students. Learn more about it here: