Harmonize
Harmonize is an ASU-supported Canvas-integrated tool designed for interactive discussions, multimedia engagement, and graded participation. It also provides social annotations on PDFs, which is an alternative for Perusall.
What faculty can do with Harmonize
- Create social reading (PDF Annotation assignments), in which students can highlight text in a document, add in-text comments, and reply to peers.
- Create graded discussion assignments with optional student-recorded video responses, multiple due dates, structured participation requirements
- Create peer review assignments for documents and media, with guided feedback and evaluation
- Encourage ongoing dialogue and track participation with engagement insights
Assignment and grading features
- Set participation requirements (e.g., number of posts, replies, deadlines)
- Grade using Canvas SpeedGrader and rubrics
- Track student participation and engagement
How to create a Harmonize assignment
- Create a Harmonize discussion assignment in your course using Assignment > External Tool in Canvas
- Attach or reference course materials (documents, prompts, or media) (note: Harmonize doesn't work with textbooks)
- Configure the assignment parameters manually or using the Harmonize Wizard
- Write your instructions manually or generate instructions using Harmonize's AI
- Optionally, create a Harmonize Rubric and Student AI Coach
- Publish your assignment
Harmonize resources and support
Getting started - vendor resources
ASU-specific resources
Transitioning from Perusall
The ASU enterprise license for Perusall will end on December 18, 2026.
If Harmonize does not support the features or functionality needed for your course activities, work with your unit leadership and Kena Ray in the Dean's Office to explore options for continued access to Perusall.
Recommended transition timeline
- Summer and Fall 2026: Identify courses using Perusall and determine an alternative approach
- December 18, 2026: Perusall access ends
- Spring 2027: Implement alternative approach
See the Perusall to Harmonize transition guide if you'd like to transition to Harmonize.
Choosing an alternative
The best option depends on how you are using Perusall in your course. In most cases, you will be replacing annotation-based activities with discussion, publisher tools, or instructor-designed engagement.
- Reading discussions and student interaction: Use Harmonize to create structured, graded discussions tied to course materials.
- Publisher textbooks or licensed materials: Use publisher integrations in Canvas (e.g., Cengage, Pearson, McGraw Hill).
- Curated or open materials: Use Canvas Discussions or Harmonize with instructor-created prompts and Open Education Resources (OERs).
How your course activities may change
- Shift from in-text Perusall annotation to Canvas Discussions or Harmonize Social Annotation.
- Provide the readings
- Ask students to respond to key ideas, passages, or themes
- Use Canvas or Harmonize rubrics to evaluate participation