• Multi-Phase Structure: Instructors can set a specific due date and point value for a student's initial post to a discussion and a separate due date and point value for subsequent replies to peers.
• Clear Expectations: This feature helps to clarify the expectations for students by breaking down the assignment into distinct, manageable steps, with deadlines for each phase appearing in their to-do lists and calendars.
• Streamlined Grading: In SpeedGrader, instructors can easily view and grade each component (initial post and replies) separately, with the system automatically calculating the total score.
• Enhanced Engagement: By pacing student participation, checkpoints encourage deeper, more thoughtful engagement, preventing the last-minute rush of posts and promoting ongoing dialogue throughout the week. Plus, it works with group discussions. 

When creating discussion activities, it’s important to:

• Be Clear and Specific: Spell out exactly what students need to do and when. Clearly explain requirements for each checkpoint (initial posts and replies).
  • Example Prompt Structure:
    • Week 1 (Initial Post due Wednesday): Respond to the discussion prompt with your own thoughts and examples.
    • Week 2 (Replies due Sunday): Reply to at least two group members. Build on their ideas, ask questions, or offer a different perspective.
• Keep Accessibility in Mind: Develop discussions that meet the needs of all learners.
  • Use clear, concise instruction prompts with bullet points or numbered steps.
  • Provide alt text for any images or media.
  • Avoid color-coded instructions alone—add text labels for clarity.
  • Encourage multiple response formats (text, audio, video) if your course allows it.
  • Use headings and formatting to break up long prompts for readability.
  • Offer flexible deadlines, when possible, especially for replies.
  • Use plain language and avoid jargon.
  • Include captioned videos or transcripts if media is part of the prompt.
  • Write descriptive subject lines so students can quickly identify discussion topics.
• Announce Deadlines: Use Canvas announcements or calendar events.
• Check Group Setup: Confirm your Group Set is created before assigning discussions. For step-by-step guidance, see the Canvas Instructor Guide: How to Create a Group Set.
• Rubrics and Grading: If using a rubric, manually enter the final score in SpeedGrader. To simplify grading, create separate rubric rows for initial posts and replies. For more details, review the How to Grade Discussion Checkpoints in Canvas guide.
• Preview as a Student: Use the “Test Student” role in Canvas to ensure visibility and clarity before launch.