Canvas does not have a dedicated
journal tool, but it is possible to create
such functionality using a combination of
groups and discussion forums.
To create
a group
for each
student in
a group
set,
complete the
following.
- Click People on the
course menu.
- Click Add Group Set.
- Enter the name for the Group
Set, e.g. reflective
journals
- Select the Split students into
groups option and set the
number to be equal to the number of
students enrolled on your
course.
- Click Save
To create a group discussion
forum and assign it to the group set
you’ve just created, complete the
following.
- From module navigation, click Discussions.
- Click the +Discussion.
- Enter a discussion topic title and enter
your instructions or message in the text
editor.
- Optional: If you wish to make this
a graded journal activity, select
the Graded checkbox from the Options list.
- Select the This is a Group
Discussion checkbox.
- Select the correct Group set from the
dropdown list.
- Click Save.
Each student will now have access to a
discussion forum that acts as their own
private journal. They cannot see anyone
else’s journal. To access their journal
they should go to the Discussions button
on the course menu. alternatively, you can
create a link to the Discussion journal
discussion tool from anywhere on your site
by selecting the journal from the
discussions section in the link
selector.