Overview
This guide explains how to create a graded Harmonize discussion in your Brightspace 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 Brightspace are slightly different depending on which content experience you are using.
Original Content Experience
- Within your course, navigate to the Content page.
- Add a new module or select an existing module, then click the Existing Activities button.
- Select Harmonize from the drop down menu.
- In the resource selector that appears, click Discussion and select Create New.
- Enter a title for your discussion.
- Select the Graded option.
- Enter the maximum number of points for your discussion.
- Click the Create Discussion button. This will close the window and create your graded Harmonize discussion.
- Navigate to your newly created Harmonize discussion and click the menu button located to the right of the discussion title.
- Select Edit Properties in Place from the drop down menu.
- Click Add dates and restrictions...
- Enter a Start Date, Due Date, and End Date.
- Click Update.
- Click the title of the Harmonize Discussion. This will open the Harmonize Edit Topic page.
- Skip to the "Editing Your Harmonize Discussion" section of this article.
New Content Experience (Lessons)
- Within your course, navigate to the Content page.
- Add a new module or select an existing module, then click the Add Existing button.
- Select Harmonize from the drop down menu.
- In the menu that appears, find and select the Harmonize option
- 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. This will close the window and create your graded Harmonize discussion.
- Navigate to your newly created Harmonize discussion and click the menu button located in the top right corner of the page.
- Select Edit from the drop down menu
- Enter a Start Date, Due Date, and End Date for your discussion.
- Click Save and Close.
- Click the Harmonize Edit button. This will open the Harmonize Edit Topic page.
- Skip to the "Editing Your Harmonize Discussion" section of this article.
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
- Be sure to set your Available From
- 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, Visibility Settings, and Student Facilitators
Would you like to learn about additional Harmonize features and settings such as enabling plagiarism & AI detection, changing post visibility settings, 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 post 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: