Change to display in new discussions?

[cmuir]

I'm having a hard time following discussion threads in the "new" format.  Are there ways, in the inline view, to:

1. show some kind of divider between individual posts in a thread?
2. show a connection between threaded posts?

In the "legacy" discussions format, each individual post showed in it's own box, and the posts in a thread displayed with boxes connected.  In the new format, there's nothing to visually separate posts or connect posts in a thread, as far as I can tell.  But I'd love someone to tell me I'm just missing a setting I can change.

If there's not a way to make the discussions display in a way that works for me, I'm very much looking at abandoning Canvas altogether, despite the workload shifting away would create.

[masantos · Accepted solution]

Hello @cmuir 

Unfortunately, in the discussion redesign, the threaded responses are shown by an indent. There is no longer a box showing the responses' separation., I recommend submitting an idea for better readability of the threaded replies.

[cmuir]

Thank you for this suggestion @masantos.  I have submitted this as an idea.  I'm still very worried about leaving such an accessibility issue unaddressed, but we'll see what happens.

[KB38]

Unfortunately, it is another example of "fixing" something that was not broken. Not only is it too difficult to tell now when one post ends and the other begins, we also have to make an extra click just to see replies. Perhaps the worst part though, is the loss of the ability to "collapse" individual posts together with their replies so that I can essentially move them out of the way when I am done. Now, I am just scrolling and scrolling for days. 

Does anyone actually test usability of these "enhancements" before releasing them?

[Chris_Hofer]

@KB38 ...

Does anyone actually test usability of these "enhancements" before releasing them?

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I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not, but Canvas has something called a "beta" environment.  Normally when you log in to Canvas at your school, you are using what is called a "production" environment.  However, your school also has a "beta" environment and a "test" environment.  In the "beta" environment, this is where Instructure (the folks that make Canvas) push out updates ahead of their scheduled monthly releases so that users like you and I have the opportunity to test things out and report what we like and what we don't like...what is working and what isn't working so well.  Sometimes, Instructure will decide to make changes based on our feedback prior to release based on our feedback.  (I've even seen some past releases several years ago where there was a lot of concern about certain releases that Instructure actually delayed the release.)  So, to answer your question, you always have the opportunity to participate in the testing of usability once Instructure pushes their updates to the "beta" environment.  (Of course, there is other "behind the scenes" testing that goes on, too.)  The "test" environment is a separate environment where you can try out things without disturbing things in your normal "production" environment.  If you use either of these environments, be sure to log out of them before logging back in to your normal "production" environment.  Here are some Guides for you:

• What is the Canvas test environment?
• What is the Canvas beta environment?
• How do I access the Canvas test environment as an instructor?
• How do I access the Canvas beta environment as an instructor?
• What is the Canvas release schedule for beta, production, and test environments?
• How do I log out of Canvas as an instructor?

When you take a look at the monthly Canvas Release Notes, there is typically a link within the document where you can then go to leave comments (good or bad) about the up-coming release.  For example, if you take a look at the most recent release notes from this past Saturday, Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20) - Instructure Community - 606797 (canvaslms.com), you'll find a box near the top with the heading All Resources.  The last bulleted item in that box points to a discussion board specific to the July 20, 2024 release: Solved: Features Q&A: Canvas Release Notes (2024-07-20) - Instructure Community - 606870 (canvaslms.....  As of this evening, there are 29 comments on that thread, some of which are directly from Instructure employees.

I know I've provided a lot of information here, but I hope some or all of it will be helpful to you.  If you have any questions, I can try my best to answer...keeping in mind I'm a fellow Canvas user like yourself and cannot speak for Instructure on what their plans may or may not be in the future.  Thanks!