Welcome!
@BethKing1
I usually break down the "must know now" items about Canvas by instructor and student.
Instructor
Canvas offers a variety of options integrating many of the tools faculty already use in their classes and includes flexible communication methods. Their mobile apps that support most course features make learning and teaching with Canvas easier. One of the most visible features of Canvas is its simple layout and intuitive interface, allowing for easy navigation.
1. Publish it and they will see!
Canvas allows you to use modules as an organizational tool for arranging your course materials. I like to call it curating your student's learning journey. Canvas requires you to publish items so that students can view them. If you place a published item inside an unpublished Canvas module- students would not be able to see the item.
If you want to make sure that students can view a particular item, you would use the “Student View.” The course layout in both the instructor’s and student’s view is extremely similar, except in Student View you only see published and enabled items, i.e. what you want the students to see. Disable any items in the Navigation Menu that you will not be using in the course via “Settings” to avoid overwhelming students.
2. Notice this...
Canvas has a strong emphasis on communication tools. The Canvas Inbox cannot be hidden or disabled. Therefore, it is extremely important that you and your students set up your Notifications. One of the features of the Canvas Inbox is that you can reply directly to email notifications received outside of Canvas and the reply will populate within Canvas.
In addition, Canvas allows students to make comments on assignment submissions. There is a drop down menu in the Conversations/Inbox which allows you to access these comments. It might be helpful to set your preferences for Submission Comments in Notifications before you miss these interactions with your students.
Also, through the grade book you can send “Messages to Students Who…” a) haven’t submitted yet, b) haven’t been graded, c) scored less than ___ or d) scored more than ___. It’s a great way to nudge students towards better performance.
3. What if?
While in Student View, you may want to check out the “What If” feature in Grades. Some might consider this the best thing since sliced bread. Students can enter values for upcoming assignments to approximate their overall grade for the course based on how you have set up the grade book. When using weighted grades, ensure they add up to 100%. In Assignments, check the settings to weight the final course grade based on Assignment Groups.
When students miss an assignment or don’t do it, enter a zero. Use the “Set Default Grade” feature in the grade book to enter zeroes for students that didn’t submit the assignment all at once (just make sure to NOT select the check box for “Overwrite already-entered grades.”) If you do not enter the zeroes, students may erroneously think they are doing better than they actually are.
4. Oooops, I did it again!
You’re editing a Page in your course when suddenly a cat jumps on your keyboard, spilling your coffee (whose cat is that anyway?). The Page saved and it is literally a hot mess. You’re not sure you can fix it… If only you can go back in time to an earlier version of the Page. Turns out Canvas is forgiving of erroneous keystrokes and you can. Learn how to view or restore a prior version of a Page.
5. But wait, there's more!
Many faculty get excited about the calendar summary in the syllabus area; it is automatically created in Canvas as you enter assignments with due dates (including discussions and quizzes). In addition when changing the due date of an assignment, Canvas simultaneously changes it in the calendar.
In “Settings,” there is a link towards the bottom stating “more options.” There are several important settings within this area you might want to change, such as giving students the ability to attach files to discussions (super helpful if you want them to share their picture in the “Introduce Yourself” discussion), hide totals in student grades summary, or disable comments on Announcements, etc.
Student
1. Whatever cool places you go, bring Canvas along!
Students can access the Canvas Learning Management System on a desktop computer using a browser (Chrome, Firefox or Safari recommended). Also, Canvas can be accessed through apps on a smart device using iOS or Android operating systems. These mobile apps provide students (and instructors) access to most helpful Canvas features. Use the QR mobile log in feature to select the correct "school" on your phone or tablet.
2. Stay connected.
Communication is an important aspect to a successful learning experience. Canvas provides several communication tools such as Notifications. In Canvas, students have the ability to customize their notification preferences. Try emphasizing to students the importance of paying attention to Canvas notifications and their student email account to not to miss valuable communication from all their instructors.
3. Get organized with the Canvas Calendar.
Assignments are automagically compiled in a calendar and courses are color-coded to help students remain organized. Also, students can sync their Canvas calendar with other software programs.
In addition, students can add their own events to their calendar. Some professors with long projects will ask their students to create milestones with task reminders in the calendar. This can make a complex project seem more manageable while keeping students on track.
Make sure students know that the “To Do” calendar feed on their Dashboard does not tell them everything they need to do. Therefore, encourage students to not rely too heavily on the calendar feed, but to check each course for appropriate information and to refer to the course syllabus.
4. Dude, where’s my assignment?
Students are often unsure if they have submitted an assignment or if they submitted the right version of a document. Fortunately, Canvas provides students with details like the date and time submitted. They may even download their submitted assignment from the same area.
Anytime that a student has submitted a file to a course, it is also deposited in their unfiled folder in their personal Canvas Files area.
5. Feedback is Part of the Learning Process.
Students can locate instructor feedback in a few different ways. The “Recent Feedback” feed allows students to see comments and grades on evaluated assignments. Also in the traditional manner, students can access “Grades” to view their recorded grades (unless assignments grades are not posted by the instructor yet).
Hope this helps! There are so many things to learn about Canvas but you have a whole community to help you out!
Val King
