New to Canvas

[tammyg_hendersh]

I have used Google classroom for two years.   I really enjoy the ease of use and the fact that when it is uploaded it is instant.  I find it a little restricting and unorganized.  I used classroom because when I took the Canvas pd last summer.  It was hard to build and required a lot of time.  The major drawback was that it did not integrate with google suite.  

I have attended several district pd's on Canvas this summer. I have learned that there are easier ways to create buttons, add assignments and connect to my google drive.   I have learned many new was to improve my google side of the equation.  I am taking other courses in Canvas this summer.  

I am very excited to dust off my old sandbox and rebuild the my canvas page.  II am ready  have signed up for additional work days offered by my district so that I can get it up and running by the begging of school.  Any ideas or apps that I can add on to make me and my students experience easier?

[dhulsey]

Hey, Tammy! Welcome back to Canvas! I believe Canvas does offer a Google integration now, so that will be super helpful to you. Depending on what you are teaching, I enjoy using https://community.canvaslms.com/groups/designers/blog/2016/09/23/canvas-and-perusall?sr=search&searc...‌. 

I hope that helps!

[laurakgibbs]

Hi  @tammyg_hendersh ‌! Even though my school is a Microsoft school instead of Google, I use Google tools all the time, and my students do too. Being able to integrate Blogger blogs and blog content is one of my favorite things about Canvas, and I even use a Blogger blog for my course homepages. I did a CanvasLIVE about that, along with some other integrations that can let you include fun content (especially visual content)... there's a list of all that here, with links to the slidedecks with notes, the videos, etc. ... you can really have a lot of fun with Canvas, especially if you have other tools that you like using and want to "mash-up" with Canvas somehow. I have a lot of fun with that! 🙂

Connected Learning with Cats: An Index – Teaching with Canvas 

[artistworksonli]

YES!  If your students want to learn to play musical instruments, ArtistWorks offers over 850 hours of premium quality online music instruction.  I'd be happy to tell you more about the options for 12 week sessions in your schools.  Many multi-faceted research projects and studies have proven that students perform better in other subjects and are more engaged in their education when they learn a musical instrument.  They gain lifelong benefits from becoming a musician.