Favorite Advanced+ Canvas Features?

Discussion created by Eric Werth

on Nov 17, 2017
Latest reply on Jan 10, 2018 by Eric Werth

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I have been asked by a group of faculty at our institution to offer a few "super advanced" Canvas training sessions. I know that "advanced" is a bit subjective, but I was hoping that folks would be willing to share or link to existing content in the Community related to their favorite advanced or highly advanced Canvas features. These may be items that impact the appearance of courses, assignments, grading, simple code examples, etc.

There are great ideas throughout the Community in places like Your ideas of Canvas' best kept secrets and Content Pages: Advanced Formatting, but I would appreciate any insight. I love supporting faculty who want to continue diving deeper into what Canvas is capable of facilitating!

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Stefanie Sanders Nov 17, 2017 8:06 AM
Eric, I love this discussion. I've shared it with the Instructional Designers group, whose members are most likely to be able to share code examples for your faculty—and I assume you're already a member of that group and have started to look through its resources. Of course, adventurous users are going to want to take advantage of James Jones's extraordinary Canvancements - Canvas Enhancements . And, speaking of the Joneses, you've probably already run across Kona Jones's Hacking Mastery Paths.

I can't wait to see this conversation unfurl!
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- Eric Werth @ Stefanie Sanders on Nov 17, 2017 11:32 AM
  Thanks Stefanie! I hadn't seen the Hacking Mastery Paths blog but it was great. I'm only aware a few individuals here that are musting Mastery Paths but believe that many would like to know more about this. Canvancements also had a lot of good info.
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Kelley L. Meeusen Nov 17, 2017 8:48 AM
Hi Eric Werth

HTML coding to enhance the appearance and usability of any Canvas content area with an RCE is a big hit in our state, and in the Community. The course is primarily intended for daring faculty who are not coders, but is also useful for those who already know HTML.

I have a full Canvas classroom on the Canvas Commons that is meant to act as a reference resource to accompany either a traditional on-ground workshop, or a hybrid course, and is full of useful snippets gathered from Canvas Community users, and each snippet includes installation information. This Commons resource is Called "Do Not Fear the Code", and you can find it by searching under that name. This course is organized through the following modules:
- About HTML and the HTML Editor,
- Beginning Users,
- Intermediate Users,
- Advanced Users,
- iFraming and Embedding,
- Integrating External Apps, and
- Additional Resources.
A fairly exact (I don't keep the two as well synced as I would like) copy of this resource available at Instructure.resources to anyone who might want to use or contribute to the code snippets. You can learn more at CanvasHacks Classroom , or use this link to self-enroll https://resources.instructure.com/enroll/8R9H7B

I typically offer this as a two-hour hands-on workshop, using a short style guide included in the first module. I have also offered it as webinars.

I also have a very short slideshow, but it is on a thumb drive at home, but I will load in into the Canvas course, and re-upload that to Commons.

I hope this is helpful.
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- Tracey DeLillo @ Kelley L. Meeusen on Nov 20, 2017 4:22 PM
  So cool! I just downloaded and started exploring this resource and it's impressive. It's going to teach me a thing or two, but I'd love to use it to train our faculty. With credit and kudos given, of course.
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  - Kelley L. Meeusen @ Tracey DeLillo on Nov 21, 2017 11:59 AM
    Hi Tracey DeLillo
    
    No kudos needed! Your desire to use it is kudo enough for me!
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    - Eric Werth @ Kelley L. Meeusen on Dec 1, 2017 6:27 AM
      Hi Kelley. I really like the HTML elements in Do Not Fear the Code! I am planning some training for spring to bring these to the attention of our super users. However, most of the faculty that I work with discount anything related to the HTML editor. Is there any outside tool that integrates with Canvas that allows you to select a particular item (line, pill, shadowbox, etc.), fill in your text, and have this added to the WYSIWYG editor? I guess this would be what the RCE itself does but I was thinking of something that adds a menu item to the content editor similar to what we see for inserting tables. There may not be, but I thought that perhaps you, Laura, Tracey, or someone reading this thread may know of such a tool. Depending on the cost, it may be worth us purchasing such an app to make these appearances more usable by faculty not comfortable with HTML. Thanks!
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      - Tracey DeLillo @ Eric Werth on Dec 1, 2017 8:58 AM
        Are you familiar with Design Tools from Cidi Labs (aka Kennethware)? We just saw a demo this week and it is a very slick, easy way to fancy up Canvas courses without knowing any HTML.
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        Kelley L. Meeusen @ Tracey DeLillo on Dec 1, 2017 9:53 AM
        Thanks Tracey DeLillo, I was just going to suggest that to Eric Werth when I glanced below and saw your response!
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        Eric Werth @ Tracey DeLillo on Dec 1, 2017 10:40 AM
        No, I haven't seen Design Tools Tracey. I will definitely check into it. Thanks to both you and Kelley for the suggestion! If you end up getting this program, please let me know how it goes!
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        Kelley L. Meeusen @ Eric Werth on Dec 1, 2017 10:50 AM
        Hi Eric Werth
        
        I am sure that Kenneth Larsen would be happy to chat with you about his product! He has been a long-time participant in our Community, and is also a Community Coach (or was, can't remember his status off hand). Despite his over abundance of brains and talent, he is truly a really nice guy!
        
        So I pinged him.
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        Eric Werth @ Kelley L. Meeusen on Dec 1, 2017 11:27 AM
        That's great. Thanks for the connection Kelley! I look forward to speaking to Kenneth in the not-to-distant future!
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        Kenneth Larsen @ Eric Werth on Dec 2, 2017 6:37 AM
        Hi Eric,
        I am happy to answer any questions you may have. You are also welcome to visit cidilabs.com and request a demo (to get an idea of what the tools are and how they work) and/or request a sandbox (where you can play with the tools inside a Canvas instance yourself).
        I look forward to hearing from you.
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        Eric Werth @ Kenneth Larsen on Dec 2, 2017 7:11 AM
        Great Kenneth. I requested a demo so look forward to seeing more of the tool!
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- Eric Werth @ Kelley L. Meeusen on Nov 21, 2017 6:03 AM
  Hi Kelley. I just finished "Do Not Fear the Code". Great resources...thanks again! The example code with a description of what parts can be changed to accomplish the intended effect really helped someone without a lot of HTML experience use the snippets. I particularly look forward to trying out tabs in pages, pop-up dialog boxes, colored tables, and popovers in some of my courses. The shadow box and colored lines will be fun to play with a bit more too. Everything I have tried so far works in my sandbox!
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Kelley L. Meeusen Nov 17, 2017 9:04 AM
Hi Again Eric Werth

I also have uploaded to the Canvas Commons an Advanced Canvas Training Series. This consists of five separate courses, six-hours each, intended to be self-paced and self-directed. Each delves deeper into specific functionality in Canvas. Search by my name or by Advanced Canvas Training Series.

The five topics are:
1. Quizzes and Assignments
2. Gradebook and Grading
3. Canvas Course Design
4. Canvas Settings and Related Functions
5. Open Educational Resources
Again, I hope you find these useful!
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- Eric Werth @ Kelley L. Meeusen on Nov 17, 2017 11:41 AM
  Kelley, these look like great resources and I am going to go through all of them. I've done some HTML work in Canvas but will learn a lot from "Do Not Fear the Code" myself. The Advanced Canvas Training Series will be a value to everyone here. I am happy that there is information on OERs as well. Our students would benefit if more faculty used these resources and they had access to them from the time the class is published. Too many start the semester without the text material needed to be truly successful. Thanks for your replies!
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ysmalls Nov 17, 2017 10:05 AM
Hi Eric,

I'm K12 so this might not be right up your alley but wanted to share.
I do Canvas Level II sessions face to face and over the following:
- All the apps that are available (this can be confusing to some)
- Speedgrader - actual samples of grading and using all the tools (this includes cloud assignments)
- Redirect App (they love this)
- Page History (roll back to previous version)
- Undelete content (depending on if it's asked, most teachers prefer we do it for them)
- Differentiated Instruction
- Auto Open File
- Commons
The above might not sounds like advanced to some but when we do a Canvas Level I we concentrate on the foundation and getting them familiar with what's available and review everything but in a Level II we actually go and show samples and create stuff.

Also, I start my training by asking if they have any questions or anything specific they want to learn, depending on the size of the group that might take up most of the training time but they leave happy.
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- Eric Werth @ ysmalls on Nov 17, 2017 11:51 AM
  Great information YADDIRA and all applicable to our situation as well! I find that unless faculty are accustomed to using a particular app and specifically look for it, then they often don't use these tools unless someone points out how it can be of benefit, either pedagogically or in simplifying their tasks as the course instructor. Curious, but have you found particular apps to be used heavily by your teachers?
  
  The Redirect tool and non-"standard" assignment types like from the cloud as you mentioned will definitely be on the list of items to cover as some folks have found them but many have not.
  
  What do you cover when it comes to differentiated instruction? Would this be Mastery Paths or other items as well?
  
  Thanks for the ideas and insight!
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  - ysmalls @ Eric Werth on Nov 17, 2017 12:26 PM
    I show the teachers how to use differentiated instruction to assign a particular assignment, discussion or quiz by period, group or individual student or student's (usually 504). That way they are not making copies of the same assignment just to give them different due dates.
    
    I created a simplified handout of how to use differentiated instruction but there is a great post How do I view differentiated assignments with different due dates in a course? that give good examples and highlights some key aspects of this feature.
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Rob Ditto Nov 17, 2017 3:26 PM
At my institution, we've had great luck with Blueprint Courses. Here are links to some of the best Community content on this feature:
- Ken Black's Tips for Designing and Maintaining Blueprint Courses
- Linda J. Lee's Lessons Learned about Blueprint Courses: Introduction and Lessons Learned about Blueprint Courses: Getting Buy-In
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- Eric Werth @ Rob Ditto on Nov 17, 2017 5:19 PM
  Thanks for the idea about Blueprint Courses Rob! I have played around with these a bit, but think our faculty could benefit having this included in training. We don't have many courses now where the same course is taught by multiple instructors. Mostly, the same person teaches multiple sections so have been using cross-listing, but we have started using multiple faculty in some first-year experience sections. The faculty used the Commons this year but I believe from what I have been reading in the resources you referenced that Blueprint Courses would be better. I've also thought of a few other ways we could make use of them throughout academic departments!
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Kona Jones Nov 21, 2017 5:46 AM
What about using prerequisites and requirements to help students monitor their course progress - Help Students Monitor their Course Progress

This is also nice to use as an Instructor because from the Module page you can see what the student clicked on/submitted fast and easily.
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- Eric Werth @ Kona Jones on Nov 21, 2017 6:57 AM
  Great idea Kona! This will definitely be at the top of my list of items to cover. Setting up requirements and prerequisites can be complicated for those who have not used them before and until you mentioned it here, I had forgotten about the "view progress" option!
  
  These will be fun sessions to facilitate and point attendees to the resources posted here so far.
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- Eric Werth @ Kona Jones on Jan 10, 2018 9:23 PM
  Hi Kona. I thought I would let you know that I started the semester's Canvas training with a couple of sessions today on controlling the flow of information in Canvas . . . from your suggestion here regarding requirements and prerequisites. We discussed the following items
  Selective publishing of material
  Releasing modules by date or setting availability dates on assignments
  Assigning assignments to different individuals or groups of students
  Utilization of module requirements and assessing student progress with the "view progress" page
  Setting pre-requisites to modules
  
  The sessions went well with some great discussion on how these options may be used to foster engagement, build community, provide students with flexibility in pacing, and/or to better meet course objectives. In discussing the purpose/value of modules we also touched on the idea of Mastery Paths which will be continued later. Thanks for the suggestion! I look forward to additional trainings this semester based on the suggestions folks provided here!
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  - Kona Jones @ Eric Werth on Jan 11, 2018 6:07 AM
    Yay! Thank you for the feedback! That’s great to hear!
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Laura Gibbs Nov 22, 2017 1:22 PM
Just back from out of town trip and so glad to have found this; I am bookmarking to make sure I come back and read through all this later (very much of interest to me), and I also wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Eric Werth for all the great stuff he has been doing here and sharing with the Community!
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