Student Guide: Harmonize

Modified on: Thu, Sep 5 2024 12:55 PM

(The original documentation is from Penn LPS Online.)

Overview
Introduction Videos
Harmonize Posting Options
Additional Resources & Support

Overview

Harmonize is a robust multimedia collaboration and discussion tool that resembles popular social applications. Please watch the videos below for an introduction to the tool and view this Getting Started with Harmonize document before using Harmonize.

Harmonize discussions usually have two due dates, one for the original post and one for leaving comments on a peer's work. Harmonize due dates automatically sync with your Canvas calendar. You can locate these two due dates via your Canvas to-do list and the Canvas calendar. The two due dates will not appear in the Grades section. You are responsible for keeping track of all due dates for Harmonize assignments. If you have questions, please ask your instructor. If your instructor is using Harmonize in the course, we recommend reviewing the module assignments at the beginning of the week and turning on Harmonize notifications.

Please Note:

If you have trouble uploading a video to Harmonize, please check your phone's camera/video settings and try to lower the resolution for an easier-to-upload video, or try using Harmonizes built-in Video recorder to record your response.
Harmonize also has a built-in screen recording option that records your microphone and screen. This allows you to easily narrate a PowerPoint slideshow or a Google slide deck for a presentation.

Introduction Videos

Creating a Post (02:11)

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Commenting on a Post (01:37)

Annotate a Video (02:19)

Posting Options

When you enter a Harmonize Discussion you will be asked to + Add a Post. A Post can be made up of several different media elements, layered one on top of the next, such as text and an image, or text and a screen recording and then a link. You can continue to add layers to your post until you are happy with it. Select publish for your peers to view your post and interact with your content.

The options to add as a layer to your post are as follows, Add Text, Add Code, Add an Image, Add a Link, Record a Video, Record Audio, Record your screen, Schedule a Meeting, Add a Poll, and Annotate.

Please note: To annotate on/comment directly on specific media another student shared you will see a box below the picture or video that says “Respond by Drawing”. This will generate a copy of the original media for you to comment or annotate on.

Please note: The video in Harmonize counts down automatically from 5:00 minutes (or whatever time frame your instructor has selected). If you record on your mobile device and plan to upload to Harmonize, you will want to lower your video resolution on your mobile device so you can easily upload.

The following icons can be helpful when you are inside a Harmonize discussion. They will be found near the instructions of the assignment:

Watch Topic – Toggle this button on for an assignment to be notified when any activity occurs

Your activity - This button will allow you to view all the activity you have had in an assignment

Box with outward arrows - Enlarge screen to full screen for easier viewing of posts.

Additional Resources & Support

For support with Harmonize, please reach out to your instructor and let them know you have experienced an issue, and then email us at gse-cnvs@gse.upenn.edu.