| A | B | C | D | E | F | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | For a simplified comparison, select the Simple tab at the bottom of this spreadsheet. | Canvas Discussions | Ed Discussion | Piazza | Harmonize | ||
2 | Course setup / settings | Access | Discussions is a native tool built directly within Canvas. By default, all students and waitlisted students in a course will be able to access Discussions. Those with the Observer role cannot access Discussions. | Ed Discussion can be integration with Canvas or used as a standalone tool. When integrated, Ed Discussion appears as a link in the Canvas course navigation. Clicking the Ed Discussion link opens a new tab, taking the user to the Ed Discussion site. | Piazza can be integrated with Canvas or used as a standalone tool. When integrated, Piazza appears as a link in the course navigation. When clicked on, the Piazza content displays directly within Canvas. | Harmonize is integrated with Canvas and appears as a link in the course navigation. When clicking the course navigation link, the Harmonize content displays directly within Canvas. | |
3 | Enrollment | Students officially enrolled in Axess are automatically added to the Canvas course. All students in the Canvas course will have access to the Discussions tool. If a student drops the course on Axess, their enrollment change will be reflected in Canvas. | When integrated with Canvas, instructors can sync the Ed and Canvas rosters. All TAs and students will automatically populate into Ed Discussion with the appropriate role. Observers are restricted from joining. If a student enrolls or drops the course after the initial sync, instructors must re-sync the roster to get the most up-to-date roster. Students who enroll after the original sync can click the 'Ed Discussion' link to add themselves to the Ed Discussion site. Users are not required to manually set-up an account. If using Ed Discussion as a standalone tool, instructors can manually invite users using email addresses or by sending out a self-enroll link. To access Ed Discussion's site, go to edstem.org. | When integrated with Canvas, students can either (1) click the Piazza link from the Canvas course navigation toolbar to manually join the Piazza course themselves, (2) instructors can use student email addresses to enroll students in the Piazza site (or through a CSV file), or (3) if enrollment sync is enabled, have the systems automatically sync once every day with Canvas. If using Piazza as a standalone tool, instructors will need to manually add students to their Piazza course. | Students are automatically added to the Harmonize site so long as they're added to the Canvas course. If instructors have set up Harmonize content in Assignments and Modules, students can access those by going directly to the Canvas Assignments and Canvas Modules tools | ||
4 | Organization | Course team members can pin discussion threads that should be the first topics students see. Discussions are grouped into three categories: (1) Pinned Discussions, (2) Discussions, and (3) Closed for Comments. The Canvas Discussion tool does not support a folders or tagging system to organize threads. | Instructors can set up Categories and Subcategories to organize student posts and questions. Instructors could also require students to choose a category (and subcategory, if applicable) prior to being able to draft a post or question. There is a limit of 2 levels of category nesting. | Instructors can create Folders and Subfolders to organize posts, questions, and polls. Students are required to choose at least one folder for their post. There is a limit of 2 levels of folder nesting. | Foldres, or an equivalent, are not currently supported. All topics are displayed on the same page. | ||
5 | Notifications | Email notifications | By default, all Canvas users will receive email notifications for new discussion posts. Users can customize their discussion preferences for (1) New Topic, (2) New Reply, and (3) New Mention. Users can subscribe to discussion topics and add additional contact methods. In addition, notifications can be customized per course. | Users can receive email notifications for responses to their own posts, responses to their own replies, and any new activity when subscribed to watch a post. Notifications are sent through email and users can configure their email notification frequency depending on preference. Notifications can be customized for each course. | Users can follow posts and be notified of new updates through email. Users can also opt in to email notifications for new questions or notes posted in a Piazza course. Users can configure their notification email frequency depending on preference. Notifications can be customized for each course. | Harmonize notifications are set by users at a global level. Notifications cannot be customized on a course-by-course basis. Notification options include instructor actions, a user's posts, tags, watched topics, and milestones. | |
6 | Instructor forced email notifications | Currently not supported | When instructors create a thread, they have the option to post an Announcement. Unlike Question and Post types, the Announcement type allows instructors to choose whether email notifications should be sent for the announcement. Generally, announcements are used to share important messages to all students in the course. Students cannot turn off Announcement notifications. | Instructors have the option of sending an email notification immediately for each new post the instructor creates. Selecting the email notification option will bypass student email preferences and force an email to go out to all students. | Currently not supported | ||
7 | Posting | Anonymous posts | Currently not supported | Instructors can allow students to post anonymously. Instructors have the added option to hide student names for anonymous posts from instructors as well. When anonymous, the student will be assigned a randomly generated animal. Note: If instructors later toggle off the setting where student names are not visible to instructors, student names will be visible to instructors, even retroactively, if the setting is changed. | Instructors can allow students to post anonymously to everyone in the course or anonymous to students only. Disabling the anonymous feature later will not retroactively reveal student names, not even to instructors. | Instructors can choose anonymity preferences based on each discussion topic. Instructors can choose whether a user's identity is always visible, allow users to choose whether their identity is revealed, or whether all posts and comments for the topic will be anonymous. If anonymous and discussion is graded, instructors must also ensure the Canvas assignment has anonymous grading enabled. | |
8 | Collaborative editing | Students can edit and delete replies and posts they authored but cannot edit posts or comments created by another student. Instructors can edit and delete all posts. | Students can edit and delete comments and posts they authored but cannot edit posts or comments created by another student. Instructors can edit and delete all posts. | Students can edit each other's posts, comments, and polls but cannot edit instructor posts, comments, or polls. A history bar is available to easily determine each version change and which students contributed to the evolution of the post. | Only instructors have the ability to edit all posts and answers. When edited, Harmonize displays a message to all users indicating the original text has been administratively edited. The author and instructor can access the version history to see what was changed. | ||
9 | Instructor only comments | Currently not supported | Instructors and TAs can create a staff-only comment so the teaching team can discuss course logistics without the conversation being visible to students. Teaching team members have the option of @ mentioning other teaching team members to grab their attention. | Teaching team members can set a comment so that only other instructors and TAs can view the comment. | Currently not supported | ||
10 | Instructor only threads | Currently not supported | Students can create Private threads which are only available to the instructors and themselves. However, the student cannot indicate which instructor(s) should see the thread. The thread will be visible to all teaching team members. | Students have the option to choose whether posts are visible to individual instructors or all instructors. Any instructors not specified by the student will not be able to view the post. | Currently not supported | ||
11 | Megathread | A thread can be created to collect multiple questions/replies for a particular topic but there is no "unresolved" and "resolved' tags to help users easily distinguish between which questions have and have not been answered. | Post Megathreads allow instructors to collate all questions on a specific topic into a single thread. All replies are marked as “unresolved” by default. As answers are given for the questions, the questions can be marked as “resolved”. Megathreads can help prevent a spam of questions for a single topic. | Currently not supported. However, a thread can be created to collect multiple questions for a particular topic but individual "unresolved" and "resolved' tags are not available for each question. | A thread can be created to collect multiple questions for a particular topic but there is no "unresolved" and "resolved' tags in Harmonize. | ||
12 | Polling | Currently not supported | Polls are available as an option for new Question, Post, or Announcement types. Poll results are updated in real time and do not require a refresh of the browser. Polls can include multiple answers, up to 10 options, and close automatically on a specified date. | Piazza Polls is a Post type that can be selected. The Polls feature allows for many setting options including the ability to poll specific individuals, close on a certain date, and when results should/should not be visible to students. | Harmonize Polling in available in any discussion topic, post, or Q&A Board to get instant feedback from students. Stand Alone Harmonize Polls are available as well. | ||
13 | Templated comments | Currently not supported | Thread Templates allow instructors to create a discussion board where replies start with pre-determined templated text. Templates are useful when looking for specific responses. | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | ||
14 | Text editor | Annotations | Currently not supported | Allows users to upload a picture as a post and other students can make image annotations as a reply. | Currently not supported | Image annotations and video annotations are both supported. Instructors can markup students' submitted content. For videos, feedback can be left throughout the video at specific time markers to give clear and specific direction. PDF annotations is also supported but requires setup to take place in Canvas Assignments (for graded) or Canvas Modules (for ungraded). | |
15 | Emojis | Currently not supported | Emojis are supported for threads and comments. To find an emoji, type a colon (:) in the editor and the emoji description you'd like to search for (e.g., :smile). While typing, the emoji options will begin to appear in a dropdown. | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | ||
16 | Math | Canvas Discussions includes a Equation editor for math and science formulas based on LaTeX. Users can either write formulas by selecting symbol icons or type out LaTeX using their keyboard. | Supports block math and in-line math equations, such as LaTex. For users who may not be familiar with LaTex, there is a visual math editor to assist with writing equations. | Supports a LaTeX equation editor. | Harmonize has an equation editor that supports mathematical formulas, equations, and terms from the ADA Compliant Equation Editor. The Equation Editor allows for Simple View (typing math formulas) or Advanced View (entering LaTex). | ||
17 | Code | Discussions allows for HTML that can be used to customize discussion posts. | Supports various codes to be used in discussion posts and allows the running of certain code directly in the post. | Allows for inserting and code blocking. Does not support runnable code. | Harmonize features a non-executable code row that can be added to discussion posts, but does not support executable code. | ||
18 | iFrame | Discussions allow the embedding of content, such as audio and video, from external sources. Also allows users to use HTML to iframe content into the Rich Content Editor box. | Allows for the embedding of Web snippets via iframe to allow for enhanced posting and sharing of content. | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | ||
19 | Files | Instructors can attach files from their device to discussion post replies. Instructors can also embed files that have been added to the Canvas Files tool, uploaded to their Canvas user account, or directly upload a file from their device into the Canvas course Files tool. Students will be able to attach a file from their device to their discussion reply or they can embed a file from their Canvas user account. | Files can be uploaded and hosted directly on Ed Discussion. Instructors can also drag and drop files from their desktop into the text editor. When the file is uploaded, it is added as an attachment which can be viewed when clicked on. | Files can be uploaded and hosted directly on Piazza. Instructors can also drag and drop files from their desktop into Piazza's text editor. When the file is uploaded, it is added as an attachment which can be viewed when clicked on. | Files can be uploaded and hosted directly on Harmonize. Instructors can also drag and drop files from their desktop into the Harmonize text editor. When the file is uploaded, it is added as an attachment with a thumbnail. | ||
20 | Tagging | Currently not supported | Instructors can @ mention other instructors in the course. This will send an email notification to the instructor who is mentioned to draw their attention to the conversation. Students cannot @ mention instructors or other students. | Students and instructors can tag instructors, using the @ symbol, to notify them of important posts or conversations. When tagged, instructors receive a real-time email notification, bypassing email preferences. | Users can tag students or instructors in a post or comment by clicking into the "Tag Classmate" section. Users that are tagged in a post or comment will receive an email notification to draw them into the conversation. | ||
21 | Videos | Teaching team members can attach files from their computer to discussion post replies or they can embed files. Instructors can also embed Panopto videos to a discussion post. Students will be able to attach a file from their device to their discussion reply or they can embed a file already uploaded from their Canvas user account. | Supports embedded videos that are hosted outside of Ed Discussion. When external videos are embedded, they are playable directly on the page. If there's a video file not already hosted on a platform, uploading or dragging and dropping the video file into the text editor will include the video file as an attachment. | Embedded videos are not currently supported. Sharing of videos hosted on other sites requires linking. If there is a video file that is not hosted on another platform, it can be added as a file attachment. | Harmonize supports a built-in Audio Recorder and a Video Recorder. Users can also upload an existing video file if a pre-recorded video exists. | ||
22 | Groups | Groups | If instructors have set up student groups within Canvas, they can create Group discussions. In addition, instructors can also create section specific discussion posts. | Group discussions are currently not supported. Categories could be used to organize discussions based on sections or groups. However, all students will be able to view all threads. | Instructors can create groups and add students to multiple groups. All groups must either be self-enroll or manually determined. | Instructors can choose to restrict students from viewing posts from students outside of the student's group or section. The visibility of posts have to be set after creating the post. Instructors will see all posts in one place but students will only have access to posts from other students based on the post setting. | |
23 | Moderation | Decline | Currently not supported | Instructors are able to decline a student-created post. Declining a post locks the thread, hides it from other students, and allows instructors to comment with an explanation of why the post was declined. | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | |
24 | Endorse | Currently not supported | Instructors can endorse student posts signifying that they are exemplary, approved, or stand out in some way. Instructors can also mark student responses as accepted to signify that the answer is correct. | Instructors can endorse student questions and answers, signifying that they are exemplary, approved, or stand out in some way. | Instructors and post author have the ability to mark an answer as the Best Answer for Q&A questions. When marked as a best answer by the author, the answer will include a dark purple 'Best Answer' tag. If the instructor marks the answer as 'Best answer', the tag will appear green with an apple. There is also an option for Good Answer if multiple answers should be recognized. | ||
25 | Lock | Instructors can restrict students from adding additional comments to a thread. The discussion post is then moved to the "Closed for Comments" section on the Discussions page and becomes read-only. | Instructors can lock threads which essentially closes the thread and saves it. Locking threads prevents additional contributions or edits. | Instructors have the option to lock a post immediately or on a scheduled date when students should be locked from contributing and editing a post. Instructors also have the option to lock the course preventing students from engaging. | Instructors can set an available until date for each new post to prevent students from contributing after a certain date / time by editing a post. | ||
26 | Report/Flag | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | All users have the option to flag a post as inappropriate. | Students have the option to flag a post. Flag in this sense is not the same as reporting an inappropriate post. Flagging a post in Harmonize is a flag for oneself for future follow-up, in case one does not have time to read and answer the post at the moment. | ||
27 | Tools | Analytics | Currently not supported. There is no built-in analytics tool to display student interaction with course discussions. New Analytics can provide the general the number of participation for overall discussions but not individual discussions or which students. | Analytics can be viewed by week, month, or all time and include: student and staff participation, total posts, views, and comments. Instructors can download statistics at any time as a CSV file or JSON file. Instructors can also see how many times each post was viewed. | Summary analytics is available which include data on total posts, total contributors, average response time, post views, and individual student contributions. Once enough students contribute, instructors can download the statistics at any time as a CSV file. Instructors can also see how many times each post was viewed. | There is an Activity report on the Harmonize Discussion landing page as well as Activity buttons for all discussion topics. Instructors can view overall student contributions by clicking the Course Topic Activity on the landing page or Activity button to view contributions based on a specific topic. | |
28 | Duplicate Posts | Discussion posts can be duplicated within Canvas. | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | Currently not supported | ||
29 | Currently not supported. Users can print their computer screen, if desired. | Instructors and students have the ability to print a thread with formatting in place. | Currently not supported. Users can print their computer screen and the formatting renders decently. | Harmonize includes a built in option for instructors and students to print a discussion thread. | |||
30 | Search | The Discussions page search bar allows users to search by title or author. When viewing a specific post, users can search for entries or authors of replies. | Above the thread list is a search bar that allows users to search threads using keywords or phrases. Users can quickly and easily locate threads by using the search feature and filtering the results. | The search bar allows users to search for posts containing a particular keyword. Built-in filters and folders allows the user to quickly locate and organize posts. | The search bar allows users to search posts and comments for keywords. Results will display which can be further filtered and/or sorted. | ||
31 | Other | Assessment & Grading | Discussions can be marked as Graded and count towards the overall course grade. Student discussion replies will appear in the SpeedGrader, allowing teaching team members to leave private comments and grades for students. | Assigning grades is not supported. For instructors who would like to provide participation grades, they can create a No Submission assignment in Canvas, use the Analytics page in Ed to see each student's contribution, and decide what score students should receive. | There is no option to assign grades to posts within Piazza. To use Piazza participation to assign a grade in Canvas, instructors can create a No Submission assignment in Canvas to add a Gradebook column for grades. | Graded Harmonize content is integrated with the Canvas gradebook. Instructors can create a graded Harmonize assignment by creating a new Canvas assignment and selecting External Tool as the submission type. Instructors have the choice between a graded Discussion or graded Poll. Student replies will appear in SpeedGrader. | |
32 | Synchronous Updates | Currently not supported | Ed Discussion supports synchronous activity as it updates posts live in real-time as students posts without the need to refresh the screen. | New posts and comments are available without the need to refresh the page. | Users must refresh the page to see new content. | ||
33 | Help Resources | Instructure, the company that owns and operates Canvas, has a help center with discussion guides dedicated for instructors as well as for students. | Ed Support: https://edstem.org/help (login required) Getting Started with Ed guide, created by Learning Technology and Spaces. | Piazza Support: https://support.piazza.com/ | Harmonize support: https://harmonize.42lines.net/support | ||