Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Discord*

video synchronous group work text chat communication interactive

What is it?

Discord is a communication platform designed for online communities, including educators and their students. It allows users to create servers, which are like virtual classrooms or discussion boards, where they can chat via text, voice, and video.

What is its purpose?

Discord provides a safe and moderated space for students to discuss topics related to their coursework. Educators can create channels within their server for different subjects or topics and control who can access each channel. This can help to keep conversations on topic and prevent distractions.

How do I use it?

Visit the Discord website or download the Discord app from your app store.
- App Store
- Google Play Store
Create an account by clicking on the "Sign Up" button.
Enter your email address, a username, and a password.
You will receive an email from Discord with a verification link. Click on the link to verify your account.
Once your account is verified, you can sign in and start using Discord.
You can join existing Discord servers by clicking on the "+" icon in the left-hand sidebar and entering an invitation code or clicking on a public server.
To create your own server, click on the "+" icon and select "Create Server". Customize your server by adding channels and roles, and invite your friends to join.

Why would I use it?

Discord also offers features like screen sharing, file sharing, and integrations with other tools like Google Drive and YouTube, which can enhance the learning experience. Educators can use these features to share resources, give presentations, or host virtual office hours.
Discord has the ability to foster community and collaboration. Students can interact with each other outside of class time, forming study groups or socializing with peers. This can create a more engaging and supportive learning environment.
Discord can be a valuable tool for educators looking to facilitate discussion and collaboration in their classrooms. However, it's important to establish clear guidelines and expectations for behaviour on the platform to ensure it remains a safe and productive space for all users.

Quick Facts

Category: Synchronous Sessions
Rating Level: User Submitted
Website: Discord*
Last Modified: 24 March 2023
Created: 28 February 2023
License Available: No
More Info

Discord is a free platform. However, users can also opt to pay for Discord Nitro, a premium subscription service that provides additional features such as higher quality voice chat, custom emojis, and server boosts.
Security Concerns: Yes
Technical Support: Vendor
Platform(s): Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

Ratings Information

CITL Rating

Select any category below for details about the criteria for each rating.

Functionality: ★★☆

Scale:★★★: Works Well. Instructors can moderate small groups and discussions.
Ease of Use:★☆☆: Serious Concerns. Discord interface can be confusing due to its abundance of features and complex hierarchy of channels, roles, and permissions.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Instructors):★★☆: Minor Concerns.
Tech Support/Help Availability (for Students):★★☆: Minor Concerns.
Hypermediality :★★★: Works Well.

Accessibility: ★★☆

Accessibility Standards:★★☆: Minor Concerns. WCAG Level 2.1 AA
User-focused participation:★★☆: Minor Concerns.
Required Equipment:: Not Applicable.

Technical: ★★★

Integration/Embedding within a Learning Management System (LMS) :★☆☆: Serious Concerns.
Operating Systems:★★★: Works Well.
Web Browser:★★★: Works Well.
Additional Technical Requirements:★★★: Works Well.

Mobile Design: ★★☆

Access:★★★: Works Well.
Functionality:★★★: Works Well.
Offline Access:★☆☆: Serious Concerns.

Usage and Account Set Up: ★★☆

Sign Up/Sign In:★☆☆: Serious Concerns.
Cost of Use:★★☆: Minor Concerns.
Archiving, Saving, and Exporting Data :★★★: Works Well.
Data Privacy and Ownership:★★★: Works Well. Discord collects user data to provide its services and may share it with third-party providers, but users retain ownership of their content and can control its privacy settings.

Social Presence: ★★★

Collaboration :★★★: Works Well.
User Accountability:★★★: Works Well.
Diffusion:★★☆: Minor Concerns.

Teaching Presence: ★★★

Facilitation:★★☆: Minor Concerns.
Customization:★★★: Works Well.
Learning Analytics:★★★: Works Well.

Cognitive Presence: ★★☆

Enhancement of Cognitive Task(s):: Not Applicable.
Higher Order Thinking:★☆☆: Serious Concerns.
Feedback on Learning:★★☆: Minor Concerns.

Security and Privacy

: This service is not offered by Memorial University and has not been reviewed by Information Management and Protection. When a message or file is sent to a channel, everybody in the channel has access to the information and can read, download or reuse it.

Support Information

Discord Help Center: Discord has an extensive Help Center that includes articles and FAQs on a wide range of topics, including account setup, server management, voice and video settings, and more. You can search for answers to your questions or browse through the topics to find the information you need.
Submit a Request: If you can't find the answer to your question in the Help Center, you can submit a request to Discord support. To do this, go to the Contact Support page, select a category that best describes your issue, and fill out the form with as much detail as possible. Discord support will respond to your request as soon as possible.
Twitter: Discord also has an official Twitter account, @discord, where you can ask questions, report issues, or get updates on service outages.
Community Forums: Discord has a Community Forums where users can ask questions, share tips and tricks, and get advice from other Discord users.

Note: Instructional Support is available through CITL. Please connect with Learning Technology Coaches for assistance ltc_citl@mun.ca or visit the Teaching and Learning Exchange in ED 1001, St. John’s Campus.

Other Note(s)

Discord can be confusing for new users, especially those who are not familiar with online chat and voice platforms. There are many features and settings that may not be immediately apparent, and the interface can seem overwhelming at first. Users may struggle to find their way around, navigate different channels, or understand how to use features like voice chat or screen sharing. Additionally, joining or creating a server can also be a daunting task for new users, as there are many different types of servers available and they all have their own rules and guidelines.

Learning Technology Guide - DEV