Understand unfamiliar words in Canvas discussions
Keep up with course discussions without stopping to search every unfamiliar term.
Trigger
New Canvas Discussion Message
Polls Canvas discussion topics for new messages.
Action
Get Word Definition V2
Tool to retrieve definitions, phonetics, origin, and meanings of a given word using freedictionaryapi v2. use when you need comprehensive lexical data for a specific word.
Why this helps
Looking up vocabulary mid-discussion can break focus and make it harder to follow the conversation.
- Get a definition without leaving the discussion workflow.
- Reduce context switching while following course conversations.
- Receive lexical details such as phonetics and word origin when available.
Setup
Build it in a few focused steps.
- 1Connect Canvas and Dictionary api once in the Notis portal.
- 2Create an automation in Automations, New Automation, or tell Notis in plain language from any channel.
- 3In one instruction, ask Notis to identify one unfamiliar or specialized word in each new discussion message, look it up, and report the definition with the message context.
- 4Pick the New Canvas Discussion Message trigger and choose where run reports go.
- 5Test with one real discussion message containing a word to look up.
Questions about this workflow
Does this look up every word in a message?
No. In the instruction, ask Notis to select one unfamiliar or specialized word so the result stays focused.
What information can Dictionary api return?
The action can retrieve definitions, phonetics, origin, and meanings for a given word. Available details depend on the word.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
Supported Triggers and Actions
Notis builds workflows that link Canvas to Dictionary api. A trigger fires from one place; an action lands in another.
Canvas triggers
Dictionary api actions
Recurring trigger
Notis starts this workflow on a schedule, such as daily, weekly, or during business hours.
Get Word Definition V2
Tool to retrieve definitions, phonetics, origin, and meanings of a given word using freedictionaryapi v2. use when you need comprehensive lexical data for a specific word.
Webhook trigger
Notis starts this workflow when an external tool or custom backend sends an HTTP request.
Canvas Assignment Graded
Polls Canvas for newly graded submissions for a specific assignment.
New Canvas Assignment Submission
Polls Canvas for new submissions to a specific assignment.
New Canvas Discussion Message
Polls Canvas discussion topics for new messages.
New Canvas Discussion Topic
Polls a Canvas course for new discussion topics.
New Course Created for User
Polls Canvas for newly created courses for a specific user.
New Canvas File Upload
Polls a Canvas course for new file uploads.
Connect any two apps with Notis in the middle.
Canvas and Dictionary api, or any other combination from 1,000+ integrations.
When this happens · Trigger
Do this · Action
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No card. Works with personal or business Dictionary api.