9 Reminders for Instructors

9 Reminders for Instructors Teaching Online Courses

HELP WITH CANVAS FEATURES &
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STAYING ENGAGED & CREATING A PRESENCE


1

PUBLISH

YOUR COURSE

  • Publish your course and anything you want students to see or have access to.

HELP GUIDE
How do I publish a course? Links to an external site.


Computer keyboard with Person Typing

2

WELCOME

STUDENTS

  • Post a welcome announcement or video
  • Make sure your profile photo has been updated in Canvas

HELP GUIDES
How to add a profile picture in my user account as an instructor? Links to an external site.
How do I add an announcement? Links to an external site.


square with push pin

3

POST

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Use Announcements throughout the semester

GOOD TO KNOW

+  Announcements can be delayed
+  Students can reply to announcements


HELP GUIDES
How do I add an announcement? Links to an external site.
How do I delay announcements? Links to an external site.
How do I enable replies to announcements? Links to an external site.
How do I post on my mobile device:   iOS  Links to an external site.  |   Android Links to an external site.
Sample announcement
Tips on Using Announcements


Simple drawing of person with arrow pointing to multiple other people to represent teacher and discussions with students

4

ENGAGE IN

DISCUSSIONS

  • Respond to at least 15% of student posts on the discussion board (where all students can see)
  • Provide individualized feedback in SpeedGrader in addition to posting on the discussion board

GOOD TO KNOW

+ Use SpeedGrader to view all of a student’s posts in one place


HELP GUIDES
How do I create a discussion as an instructor? Links to an external site.
How do I create a group discussion in a course? Links to an external site.
How do I grade a discussion in SpeedGrader? Links to an external site.


talking bubble and A plus for in front

5

UNDERSTAND

CANVAS GRADES

  • Configure grades to match your syllabus (points vs. weighted, drop policies, etc.)
  • Use Zeroes ("0") in the grade book when students don’t turn something in or it won’t count against them

GOOD TO KNOW

+ Use the Hide/Post tool to hide grades for an assignment and then release all scores and feedback at once


HELP GUIDES
How do I hide grades for an assignment? Links to an external site.
How do I hide/post grades from SpeedGrader? Links to an external site.
How do I add an assignment group? Links to an external site.
How do I create a weighted grade book? Links to an external site.
How do I drop an assignment or create rules for an assignment group? Links to an external site.


Paper with a grade of C plus and feedback written on it

6

PROVIDE QUALITY

FEEDBACK

  • Provide prompt and meaningful feedback on assignments (feedback that is clear, positive, specific, and focused on observable behavior that can be changed)

GOOD TO KNOW

+ Use SpeedGrader to provide annotated feedback on submission assignments


HELP GUIDES
How do I use SpeedGrader to annotate submission assignments Links to an external site.
How do I use SpeedGrader on my mobile device:  iOS Links to an external site.  |   Android Links to an external site.
How do I let students know how to find their annotated feedback?


vector image of computer with viewer glasses on screen

7

MONITOR

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

  • Contact inactive students

GOOD TO KNOW

+ Student activity information can be located in the People and Analytics tools in Canvas
+ Use Message Students Who to contact students from the Grade Book (who scored poorly, haven’t submitted, etc.)


HELP GUIDES
How do I view analytics through the course card in the People tool? Links to an external site.
How do I view analytics for an individual student in Analytics? Links to an external site.
How do I use Message Student who? Links to an external site.


clock

8

OFFER

OFFICE HOURS

  • Offer synchronous online meetings with students at least once a week (or the equivalent of in shorter semesters)

GOOD TO KNOW

+ Zoom is a free video conferencing solution


HELP GUIDE
Information about Zoom


help button (square with button on top and help written on it)

9

FIND

HELP

  • Use the Canvas Help button 24/7 for help guides and online chat

GOOD TO KNOW

+ Keep an eye out for CAS Online and Academic Technology’s weekly email Canvas Teaching Tips


HELP GUIDE
How do I get help with Canvas as an instructor? Links to an external site.
Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences OATS Teaching Tips


 


Computer Person Adapted from design by iconicbestiary / Freepik