Group Discussion Dse

[Juan Navarro]

Thissemester I started group discussions. I didn't want there to be a 40 or 50-post thread that was impossible for students to read through, and decided instead to have students (28 per class) assigned to three or four groups to make the discussion more manageable.

When I editing the discussion forum and selected "group assignment," when I created the groups I just selected the option for students to be automatically assigned to a group for that assignment, and then selected "4" for the number of groups. According to Canvas, that should have solved the issue.

However, when I go to grade the discussion forum in Speed Grader, none of the posts are visible. It says "below are the discussion posts for Student X, or you can view the full discussion." But there are no posts below. It's a blank page.

To see anything, I have to click on "view the full discussion," and then search that student's name in the forum to find their posts.

How do I make it so I can see the students' discussion posts in Speed Grader, like I used to be able to do before using groups?

I researched here a bit already, but the only answer I saw said to change some settings in the Gradebook, but I don't have any options for that in my Gradebook. Thanks so much!

In this guide, How do I assign a graded discussion to a course group? It states, "Note: Please ensure all students have been added to a group before assigning a group set to the group discussion. If a student is not added to a group and replies to the discussion, the student's reply will be part of the original discussion topic. Replies on the original discussion topic can be viewed by clicking the View the full discussion link in SpeedGrader."

I suspect your groups did not populate with students as you expected.You can view who the members of the groups are to try to identify missing students. See, How do I view all groups in a course as an instructor?

And, did you know that you can do this using one single discussion? You can then make that a Group Discussion, and assign it to a Group Set. Then the members of a group within that group set are only seeing the discussion replies from the members of their respective groups.

Thank you for sharing your process for creating a graded group discussion in your course. I'm not sure if this Guide will provide the answer you are looking for, but take a look at the last sentence in the first paragraph in the light-blue box:

I'm just a Canvas Admin for our institution, but I can guess that the grading works this way for group discussions because you can actually see what each group member contributed to a discussion, unlike a group assignment where there is usually one submission for the entire group. On one hand, there is an inconsistency between assignments and discussion grading, but on the other hand the work is different too. Now a group assignment does have a checkbox to control whether grades are assigned to the group or individually, so maybe that could be brought over to discussions. I guess personally, I have trouble wrapping my head around a single group grade for a discussion even though I have no problem with doing that for an assignment. Maybe I'm just so used to the way that Canvas works that it influences how I think about it now.

Are you grading participation, and so everyone gets the same grade? There is the default grade feature that would let you grade everyone as the same grade, and then tweak the non-participation students?

If your course uses groups to encourage students to collaborate on coursework, you can also include links to group tools to help them communicate. For example, you can create a special group discussion board available only to the members of a course group.

Example: You assign students to groups and provide each group with a problem or situation to explore and develop into a class presentation. The groups can use the chat tool and their group discussion boards to brainstorm and discuss topic choices. They can also use their group discussion boards to post web links and members can post replies on their value. Also, they can use the group discussion board to divide up tasks and refine the outline. Members post portions of the presentation and all members post replies regarding the usefulness, grammar, and flow, as well as for agreement on the final product.

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Putting aside the spam issue for a moment - a lot of discussions don't use the key features of a post properly and are simply a waste of time. Let me explain the core features plus my top 5 tips for creating an engaging LinkedIn Group Discussion

As a user who regularly contributes to Group discussions there is little chance I'll contribute if the poster hasn't gone to the effort of adding more details. I'd go so far as to say a Group discussion without more details is like a Profile without a photo.

On the Course Content and Discussions pages, your group name is listed after the group discussion title. The name of your group appears when you open the discussion, along with the list of your group members.

When asked to join a group for group discussions, you may see an enrollment period. You need to join a group before the deadline. If you haven't joined a group, you're notified when the enrollment deadline approaches.

Select the Join a group to participate link to access the Groups page. If you select the group discussion title, a page opens with details and links to join a group. You can't participate until you join a group.

The groups you can join appear on the Groups page. Based on your instructor's settings, you might see Show Members links that display the names of other members who joined before you. In the Number of students column, you can see how many members are allowed to join each group. Your instructor may allow all students to join all groups. For example, your instructor may allow you to join multiple groups to discuss specific social issues.

If you see grading information in the discussion details, your participation is graded. Your instructor assigns a grade for your participation in the discussion as a whole, not for each individual post. If your instructor associated a rubric with the discussion, select This item is graded with a rubric to display more information. You can view the grading criteria before you contribute.

Each time you open a discussion, new responses and replies are highlighted to show any activity that's happened after you last visited. You can also use the Refresh icon at the top of the discussion to load any responses or replies that your group members may have posted after you opened the discussion.

Many group discussions have no specific purpose except the exchange of ideas and opinions. Ultimately, an effective group discussion is one in which many different ideas and viewpoints are heard and considered. This allows the group to accomplish its purpose if it has one, or to establish a basis either for ongoing discussion or for further contact and collaboration among its members.

Possible leadership styles of a group discussion also vary. A group leader or facilitator might be directive or non-directive; that is, she might try to control what goes on to a large extent; or she might assume that the group should be in control, and that her job is to facilitate the process. In most group discussions, leaders who are relatively non-directive make for a more broad-ranging outlay of ideas, and a more satisfying experience for participants.

Directive leaders can be necessary in some situations. If a goal must be reached in a short time period, a directive leader might help to keep the group focused. If the situation is particularly difficult, a directive leader might be needed to keep control of the discussion and make

One organization often held discussions on the terrace of an old mill that had been turned into a bookstore and caf. The sound of water from the mill stream rushing by put everyone at ease, and encouraged creative thought.

If you have the opportunity, learn as much as possible about the topic under discussion. This is not meant to make you the expert, but rather to allow you to ask good questions that will help the group generate ideas.

The ground rules of a group discussion are the guidelines that help to keep the discussion on track, and prevent it from deteriorating into namecalling or simply argument. Some you might suggest, if the group has trouble coming up with the first one or two:

Ground rules may also be a place to discuss recording the session. Who will take notes, record important points, questions for further discussion, areas of agreement or disagreement? If the recorder is a group member, the group and/or leader should come up with a strategy that allows her to participate fully in the discussion.

Leading an effective group discussion takes preparation (if you have the opportunity for it), an understanding of and commitment to an open process, and a willingness to let go of your ego and biases. If you can do these things, the chances are you can become a discussion leader that can help groups achieve the results they want.

Sometimes individuals or factions that are trying to dominate can disrupt the process of the group. Both Sections 1 and 2 of this chapter contain some guidelines for dealing with this type of situation.

A good group discussion leader has to pay attention to the process and content of the discussion as well as to the people who make up the group. She has to prepare the space and the setting to the extent possible; help the group establish ground rules that will keep it moving civilly and comfortably; provide whatever materials are necessary; familiarize herself with the topic; and make sure that any pre-discussion readings or assignments get to participants in plenty of time. Then she has to guide the discussion, being careful to promote an open process; involve everyone and let no one dominate; attend to the personal issues and needs of individual group members when they affect the group; summarize or clarify when appropriate; ask questions to keep the discussion moving, and put aside her own agenda, ego, and biases.

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