Make course search recognize useful discussion terms
Capture terminology learners actually use and make it easier to find related indexed course material.
Trigger
New Canvas Discussion Message
Polls Canvas discussion topics for new messages.
Action
Save Synonym
Tool to add or update a synonym in the specified index. use when you need programmatic upsert of search synonyms after index creation.
Why this helps
Learners may use different words for the same course concept, making relevant indexed material harder to find.
- Reduce missed search results caused by terminology differences.
- Convert a discussion term into a reusable search synonym.
- Apply only the synonym criteria you specify.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Canvas and Algolia once in the Notis portal.
- 2Create an automation with a clear name and prompt.
- 3In one instruction, define which discussion terms qualify and how the synonym should be saved.
- 4Choose New Canvas Discussion Message as the trigger.
- 5Choose a report channel, then test with one real discussion message.
Questions about this workflow
Will every new discussion message create a synonym?
No. The instruction should define qualifying term pairs and when to skip a message.
Does the action replace all existing synonyms?
No. Save Synonym adds or updates a synonym. It does not replace the full synonym set.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Canvas to Algolia. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Canvas triggers
Algolia actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
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Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Canvas and Algolia, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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