9 Reminders for Instructors
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
9
FIND
HELP
- Use the Canvas Help button 24/7 for help guides and online chat
GOOD TO KNOW
+ Keep an eye out for DFCAS Online and Academic Technology’s 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
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