Difference between revisions of "Canvas Quick Tips: 15 Essential Steps for Success"
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
===='''''Add your syllabus to Canvas'''''==== | ===='''''Add your syllabus to Canvas'''''==== | ||
| − | Use the Syllabus feature in Canvas or upload your syllabus as a PDF. | + | Use the [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-use-the-Syllabus-as-an-instructor/ta-p/638 Syllabus feature in Canvas] or upload your syllabus as a PDF. |
===='''''Choose your modular structure'''''==== | ===='''''Choose your modular structure'''''==== | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
===='''''Record a welcome video'''''==== | ===='''''Record a welcome video'''''==== | ||
| − | Use the video feature in Canvas or a third-party video recording tool to create a short video introducing yourself to students and welcoming them to your course or program. | + | [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-record-a-video-using-the-Rich-Content-Editor-as-an/ta-p/1198 Use the video feature in Canvas] or a third-party video recording tool to create a short video introducing yourself to students and welcoming them to your course or program. |
===='''''Add some asynchronous discussions'''''==== | ===='''''Add some asynchronous discussions'''''==== | ||
| − | Asynchronous discussion boards provide a space for students to interact with each other and the course content. Consider adding some asynchronous discussions that help to prepare students for in-class discussions, or that allow students to reflect after class. | + | Asynchronous discussion boards provide a space for students to interact with each other and the course content. Consider [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-create-a-discussion-as-an-instructor/ta-p/1029 adding some asynchronous discussions] that help to prepare students for in-class discussions, or that allow students to reflect after class. |
===='''''Simplify navigation'''''==== | ===='''''Simplify navigation'''''==== | ||
| − | Take a look at the Canvas navigation sidebar on the left-hand side of your Canvas page and make sure that only the tools students will actively use in your course or program are visible in the navigation. | + | Take a look at the [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-manage-Course-Navigation-links/ta-p/1020 Canvas course navigation sidebar] on the left-hand side of your Canvas page and make sure that only the tools students will actively use in your course or program are visible in the navigation. |
===='''''Record asynchronous lectures'''''==== | ===='''''Record asynchronous lectures'''''==== | ||
| − | Use the video feature in Canvas or a third-party video recording tool to record some short (ideally under 10 minute) mini-lectures to supplement in-class activities and help students better understand key concepts. | + | [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-record-a-video-using-the-Rich-Content-Editor-as-an/ta-p/1198 Use the video feature in Canvas] or a third-party video recording tool to record some short (ideally under 10 minute) mini-lectures to supplement in-class activities and help students better understand key concepts. |
===='''''Add rubrics to assignments'''''==== | ===='''''Add rubrics to assignments'''''==== | ||
| − | Rubrics can help to simplify grading and make expectations clearer for students. Use the Rubrics feature in Canvas to attach rubrics to the assignments in your modules. | + | [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-manage-rubrics-in-a-course/ta-p/1017 Rubrics] can help to simplify grading and make expectations clearer for students. [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-add-a-rubric-in-a-course/ta-p/842 Use the Rubrics feature in Canvas] to attach rubrics to the assignments in your modules. |
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
===='''''Create spaces for students to connect'''''==== | ===='''''Create spaces for students to connect'''''==== | ||
| − | Create an “Introduce Yourself!” discussion thread where students can meet each other virtually and talk about shared interests. Consider creating other spaces where students can connect around shared interests that are either related or unrelated to the class to help build online community. | + | [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-create-a-discussion-as-an-instructor/ta-p/1029 Create an “Introduce Yourself!” discussion thread] where students can meet each other virtually and talk about shared interests. Consider creating [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-allow-students-to-create-their-own-student-groups/ta-p/1102 other spaces where students can connect] around shared interests that are either related or unrelated to the class to help build online community. |
===='''''Create engaging PowerPoint presentations'''''==== | ===='''''Create engaging PowerPoint presentations'''''==== | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
===='''''Grade and provide feedback with ease'''''==== | ===='''''Grade and provide feedback with ease'''''==== | ||
| − | Set up Assignment groups so that assignments are properly weighted for easy grading at the end of the quarter. Use the Speed Grader feature in Canvas to quickly provide feedback to students. Use the “To Do” feature on the righthand side of your Canvas Course homepage to quickly see what assignments have been submitted and need feedback. | + | [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-add-an-assignment-group-in-a-course/ta-p/970 Set up Assignment groups] so that assignments are properly weighted for easy grading at the end of the quarter. [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-use-SpeedGrader/ta-p/757 Use the Speed Grader feature in Canvas] to quickly provide feedback to students. [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-use-the-To-Do-list-and-sidebar-in-the-Dashboard-as-an/ta-p/811 Use the “To Do” feature] on the righthand side of your Canvas Course homepage to quickly see what assignments have been submitted and need feedback. |
===='''''Try a Canvas collaboration'''''==== | ===='''''Try a Canvas collaboration'''''==== | ||
| − | Students can collaborate using Google Docs or Office 365 directly in Canvas. Consider adding a Canvas collaboration as part of a homework assignment or as an activity that students complete in breakout rooms. | + | Students can collaborate using Google Docs or Office 365 directly in Canvas. Consider adding [https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-use-the-Collaborations-Index-Page/ta-p/922 a Canvas collaboration] as part of a homework assignment or as an activity that students complete in breakout rooms. |
| − | ===='''''Experiment with third-party tools | + | ===='''''Experiment with third-party tools'''''==== |
| − | + | Before experimenting, please contact [https://help.evergreen.edu Academic Technologies] for more information around what third-party tools are available for use at Evergreen. | |
Revision as of 16:54, 26 August 2020
Canvas is our Learning Management System (LMS). Here are 15 essential steps for successful site setup.
Level 1: Basic Canvas
Add your syllabus to Canvas
Use the Syllabus feature in Canvas or upload your syllabus as a PDF.
Choose your modular structure
Refer to the proposed modular structure in the Canvas template to determine whether thematic, weekly, or daily modules work best for your course or program.
Add assignments and readings to Canvas
Be sure that any work students need to do for the course, including assignments, readings, and any other learning activities, is clearly reflected in the modules.
Choose your meeting structure
Determine the appropriate balance of synchronous and asynchronous time and think about how you are going to use your synchronous meeting times in a way that maximizes interactivity and engagement with students.
Check your dates
Ensure there are clear due dates and deadlines for all assignments, learning activities, and class meetings.
Level 2: Intermediate Canvas
Record a welcome video
Use the video feature in Canvas or a third-party video recording tool to create a short video introducing yourself to students and welcoming them to your course or program.
Add some asynchronous discussions
Asynchronous discussion boards provide a space for students to interact with each other and the course content. Consider adding some asynchronous discussions that help to prepare students for in-class discussions, or that allow students to reflect after class.
Take a look at the Canvas course navigation sidebar on the left-hand side of your Canvas page and make sure that only the tools students will actively use in your course or program are visible in the navigation.
Record asynchronous lectures
Use the video feature in Canvas or a third-party video recording tool to record some short (ideally under 10 minute) mini-lectures to supplement in-class activities and help students better understand key concepts.
Add rubrics to assignments
Rubrics can help to simplify grading and make expectations clearer for students. Use the Rubrics feature in Canvas to attach rubrics to the assignments in your modules.
Level 3: Advanced Canvas
Create spaces for students to connect
Create an “Introduce Yourself!” discussion thread where students can meet each other virtually and talk about shared interests. Consider creating other spaces where students can connect around shared interests that are either related or unrelated to the class to help build online community.
Create engaging PowerPoint presentations
Avoid death by PowerPoint by incorporating images, animations, and other features into your PowerPoint presentations to make them more appealing to students.
Grade and provide feedback with ease
Set up Assignment groups so that assignments are properly weighted for easy grading at the end of the quarter. Use the Speed Grader feature in Canvas to quickly provide feedback to students. Use the “To Do” feature on the righthand side of your Canvas Course homepage to quickly see what assignments have been submitted and need feedback.
Try a Canvas collaboration
Students can collaborate using Google Docs or Office 365 directly in Canvas. Consider adding a Canvas collaboration as part of a homework assignment or as an activity that students complete in breakout rooms.
Experiment with third-party tools
Before experimenting, please contact Academic Technologies for more information around what third-party tools are available for use at Evergreen.
Need Help?
- When using Canvas and you encounter an issue, click on Help in the lower left corner of the Canvas site.
- This opens a pop-up window with different help options such as:
- Search the Canvas Guides - view help documentation by Instructure (the makers of Canvas)
- Report a Problem - submit a help ticket via Canvas which goes to your Academic Technologies team
- Ask the Community - a lively forum with answers to many Canvas questions
- This opens a pop-up window with different help options such as:
- If you are unable to access/log in to Canvas, submit a help ticket to Academic Technologies or from the upper right corner of your MyEvergreen page.
