You need to move some of your schooling online quickly, but you’re not sure where to start with teachers to help them feel comfortable? The Learning Services Team at Instructure has created this list of 5 Things to Easily Get Your Canvas Class Going!
Thing 1: Know How to Connect with Students
- Provide updates and information through Announcements. Canvas Guide | Video
- Send individual messages to students through Conversations in the Canvas Inbox Canvas Guide
- Give feedback and grade student work through the SpeedGrader Canvas Guide | Video
- Use Conferences to setup live video sessions with students Canvas Guide | Video
Thing 2: Use Modules
- Modules are going to be your main organizational tool. Use a Daily Module structure or a Weekly Module structure and include everything you want students to see/do in there! Mad About Modules Resource | Canvas Guide | Video
Thing 3: Have Students Submit Online Through Canvas
- Discussions will allow students to respond to you and one another Canvas Guide | Video
- Quizzes can be used for quick checks, homework assignments, quizzes and even tests Canvas Guide | Video
- Assignments can be used for anything you dream up. Use the Submission type of “Online.” Canvas Guide | Video
Thing 4: Limit the Course Navigation
Limiting the course navigation in your course so it’s easy for your students to find what they need! Canvas Guide
Our suggestion is only enable the following to start:
- Home
- Announcements
- Modules
- Grades
Add Conferences, if you plan to have live video sessions with students.
Thing 5: Set Modules as Your Home Page
Set your Home Page to Modules. It’s probably already set this way. That is the easiest for students to manage at first. Canvas Guide Some other things to consider:
- Add Announcements to the Home Page Canvas Guide
- Don’t like Modules as your Home Page? Check out some Free Home Pages from the Community
Huge thanks goes to the awesome members of the Learning and Strategy Consulting team who brainstormed this list: @bfirestone , @lauren_fox , and @mlattke !
