📌 Canvas: A Starter Guide for Faculty
The tutorial is the first stop in learning how to work with Canvas. It provides a basic overview of how course content is organized and presented to students.
👥 Audience
🖥️ Applies To
Curricular Preparation
It is highly recommended that all curricular develop exist locally on your own computer. However unlikely any server failure may be, it is a still a possibility. What is more likely is human error, e.g. your own actions. With buttons to IMPORT, DELETE, and RESET the course, it is highly recommended that you maintain a backup of the learning content that you develop. Even a well-formatted WORD document is reliable. Although, even making a print version is not a bad idea.
The Visual Layout
THE DESKTOP
Course shells are provided by departments based-on established timelines. Enrollment data is maintained by and populated from the registrar. Therefore, the course will have the essential components and fields what you need to get started.
All classes, either PUBLISHED (above) or UNPUBLISHED (below) are available as items from the desktop. By default, courses will be given to you as UNPUBLISHED.
The Home Page
When you click on a course tile, the view defaults to the HOME page.
MENU #1 is the primary menu for creating course content. Assignments and Quizzes are created through here, and media like PDFs and images are uploaded into the FILES link. And, to point out, the crossed eyes indicate that students are unable to view those links.
MENU #2 provides a link where the home page can be set. Select "Choose Home Page." The number 2 menu will also provide actions that can import content, draft course announcements and functions that are generally external to the course.
MENU #3 provides categorical links, like to the COMMONS and the STUDIO where vastly different activities from the course take place.
Link #4 VIEW AS STUDENT is a switch for you to view the course content, like QUIZZES as a student. This will help you to verify your work, proofread, etc.
The Settings
When you click on a course tile, the view defaults to the HOME page.
MENU #1 At the very bottom of the course menu that is a link for (#1) SETTINGS. There are a couple of essential functions to point out on the main page.
#2 is where the START and END DATES for the course. The dates restrict access but also activity, such as submissions, discussions, etc.
#3 is a menu that contains powerful options. Exercise caution. Course content can be IMPORTED, EXPORTED, RESET THE COURSE, COPY the course, etc.
#2 [IN DETAIL]
These dates need to be filled in to reflect, at the very least, official dates of the semester or term.
The Dashboard The dashboard organizes courses based-on publication status and then alphabetically. For this example, we will import content into a shell that was created as a Sandbox, but this process is applicable to formal course shells as well.
STEP 1: SETTINGS
Locate and click the SETTINGS link at the bottom of the navigation side-bar.
STEP 2: RESET COURSE CONTENT
Before importing any course content, you should always reset (e.g. clear out) the shell. The reason is that some elements of a course are not overwritten, but appended.
To perform a reset from the SETTINGS page, look at the the right-hand side of the page and locate and click the RESET COURSE CONTENT link.
STEP 3: CONFIRMATION
A prompt will ask for confirmation before resetting the shell. Press that big red button.
STEP 4: HOME
Select the HOME link at the top of the navigational menu. We notice that the contents of the HOME page are cleared. This provides us with a visual confirmation that the reset was effective.
STEP 5: IMPORT SELECTION
Select the HOME The TWO IMPORT options are located at the top of the right-hand menu. Which option your choose for importing content will be stipulated by a supervisor. Do not perform an import without clarification. We will consider importing from the EXISTING CONTENT
SELECTION: IMPORT EXISTING CONTENT
After selecting Import Existing Content from step 5, the IMPORT CONTENT window will open.
STEP 6. IMPORT EXISTING CONTENT
Click on the drop-down menu to view the options. The option we care about is Copy a Canvas Course. This will allow us to browse the course catalogue from previous semesters.
STEP 7. COURSE SELECTION
As we enter data into the search field, course names will present themselves. If at first they do not, be patient because they will fill in. In this example, we are searching for NUR-150. We find plenty of options, so we are going to refer to the course specifics that were provided from our supervisor.
STEP 8. IMPORT OPTIONS
There are two options for importing content: ALL CONTENT or SELECT SPECIFIC CONTENT. For this instance, we will choose ALL CONTENT. (If you want to see what options are possible, select specific content and view the options, then simply cancel to exit.)
STEP 9. IMPORT PROCESS
After initiating, the process will be queued and then run. This may take a little time, so be patient.
STEP 10. CONFIRMATION
After initiating, the process will be queued and then run. This may take a little time, so be patient.
The dashboard
organizes courses based-on publication status and then alphabetically. For this example, we will import content into a shell that was created as a Sandbox, but this process is applicable to formal course shells as well.
STEP 1: SETTINGS
Locate and select the SETTINGS link at the bottom of the navigation side-bar.
STEP 2: RESET COURSE CONTENT
Before importing any course content, you should always reset (e.g. clear out) the shell. The reason is that some elements of a course are not overwritten, but appended.
To perform a reset from the SETTINGS page, look at the the right-hand side of the page and locate and click the RESET COURSE CONTENT link.
STEP 3: CONFIRMATION
A prompt will ask for confirmation before resetting the shell. Press that big red button.
STEP 4: HOME
Click the HOME link at the top of the navigational menu. We notice that the contents of the HOME page are cleared. This provides us with a visual confirmation that the reset was effective.
STEP 5: IMPORT SELECTION
The TWO IMPORT options are located at the top of the right-hand menu. Which option your choose for importing content will be stipulated by a supervisor. Do not perform an import without clarification. We will consider importing from the COMMONS
ENTER THE COMMONS
When importing from the commons, the first window that opens provides a public repository. We can search through Salve's courses by applying a filter, but ideally, we should have a course code. The example we will use is NUR-150.
STEP 6: COURSE SEARCH
Entering NUR-150 into the search will retrieve options. Be mindful of the year and section. Again, follow the instructions provided by your supervisor.
STEP 7: COURSE IMPORT
Entering NUR-150 into the search will retrieve options. Be mindful of the year and section. Again, follow the instructions provided by your supervisor.
STEP 8: COURSE IMPORT
When you click the IMPORT button, we are prompted to confirm the destination shell. Verify the selection and then IMPORT INTO COURSE.
STEP 9: IMPORT CONFIRMATION
After initiating the import, a confirmation banner will be displayed. From here, we can navigate back to our desktop (step 10) where we will see the image of the course we have importated featured in the course tile.
STEP 10. IMPORT PROCESS
After initiating, the process will be queued and then run. This may take a little time, so be patient.
STEP 11. CONFIRMATION
After initiating, the process will be queued and then run. This may take a little time, so be patient.
The dashboard
organizes courses based-on publication status and then alphabetically. For this example, we will import content into a shell that was created as a Sandbox, but this process is applicable to formal course shells as well.
STEP 1: SETTINGS
Locate and select the SETTINGS link at the bottom of the navigation side-bar.
STEP 2: EXPORT COURSE CONTENT
If there is already content in the shell, it is highly recommended that you RESET COURSE CONTENT before preceeding.
To perform an export, select the reset from the SETTINGS page, look at the the right-hand side of the page and locate and click the EXPORT COURSE CONTENT link.
STEP 3: EXPORT TYPE
Select COURSE and then click the CREATE EXPORT button.
ALTERNATE SELECTION
The other option is to select QUIZ which provides a sub-selection for specific items. The reasoning is that quizzes are a common export, thus making the export a much smaller file.
STEP 4: PROGRESS BAR
An export file can take some time to create based-on the amount of content.
STEP 5: HOME
The file DOES NOT download automatically. Click the link to download.
STEP 6: IMPORT COURSE CONTENT
The IMPORT function is located on the SETTINGS page from STEP 2.
STEP 7: COURSE SEARCH
For the input type, select CANVAS COURSE EXPORT PACKAGE. You will also have the opportunity to import elements by selecting SELECT SPECIFIC CONTENT.
STEP 8: COURSE IMPORT
Clicking the CHOOSE FILE button launches the interface. Most likely, the file will be located in the DOWNLOADS folder. The file extension for the Canvas Package is IMSCC.
STEP 9: PROCESSING
Like the exporting process, the import process can take a little time. Once complete, any issues will be logged with the process.
STEP 10: IMPORT CONFIRMATION
After initiating the import, a confirmation banner will be displayed. From here, we can navigate back to our desktop (step 10) where we will see the image of the course we have importated featured in the course tile.
STEP 11. IMPORT PROCESS
After initiating, the process will be queued and then run. This may take a little time, so be patient.
STEP 12. DASHBOARD CONFIRMATION
If the import is successful, a tile will appear on the dashboard as an unpublished course.
STEP 1. ADD A MODULE
Click the plus sign in the top right of the Module box to add content. Options include files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, webpages, and external tools. You can also add existing content from other courses to your Module. Use the drag and drop feature to reorganize your content in the flow you need.
STEP 2. NAME THE MODULE
Follow a consistent naming convention. Generally, modules are organized into a class session, or if the class meets twice a week, the content can be lumped into a weekly division which a fairly common practice.
STEP 3. MODULE CONTENT
One way of adding content to a module is by choosing or drag/drop files, like PDF and Word Doc. If you are working with PDF be sure the files are compressed. (Refer back to this compression tutorial for details.)
Compression is important because of spatial limitation on the Canvas Platform. However, OneDrive provides ample spatial quotas and is integrated with Canvas. This brings us to the second method of adding content to a module, the "+" function found in the module header.
STEP 4. ADD ITEMS
By clicking the "+" add symbol, an ADD ITEM window pops up. When selecting the dropdown menu, a variety of options to choose from. Let's quickly review what each one entails.
STEP 5. ITEM LIST
When selecting any option a new window will open with adjustable settings. All options allow you create something new, as well as, import an existing resource.
Assignment, Quiz, File, Discussion are self-explanitory.
Page : allows you create or import a page with all the editing tools the page tool offers.
Text Header : allows you to create text under the module so you are able to organize content under a heading.
External URL : allows you to directly place a link under the module title.
External Tool : allows you to link to 3rd party applications that are integrated with the learning management system, like McGraw-Hill, Norton, etc.
STEP 6. ITEM - ASSIGNMENT
#1 : is the dropdown menu. We will more closely exmine Assignemts.
#2 : is the field where you are able to create a new item or import one. (This tutorial outlines assignment creation.) The assignment category, as defined by grade weight are the bold headings, e.g. Critique, Reading Assignments, Imported Assignments. The indented titles are previously created assignments grouped under their respective category, e.g. Critique & Analysis 1, Tester #2.
#3 : is a field that allows you to create a visual hierarchy for the items displayed in the module by indenting the text up to three times, e.g. three tabs.
STEP 7. MODULE LAYOUT SAMPLE
In this module, I have created two text headers, READING and WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT. Under READING I made an EXTERNAL LINK with a single indent. Under WEEKLY ASSIGNMENT there are two assignments that I imported with a single indent. The publishing options are appearing in a dropdown menu. I am in the process of Publishing the module and all items.
A PAGE is the really the only space that you can put whatever elements you want, and be able to treat as an object that you can move around, re-use, etc. For example, a page will always be listed on the PAGES, but is can be inserted in a Module or it could be assigned as the FRONT PAGE for the course which gives the author flexibility in organizing information. What allows us to add a variety of elements to a page is the Rich Content Editor. The RCE appears on a number of templates which include:
- Announcements
- Assignments
- Discussions
- New Quizzes
- Pages
- Quizzes
- Syllabus
STEP 1. NEW PAGE
To make a new page, click on the PAGES link in the navigational menu and then click on the ADD PAGE button.
STEP 2. PAGE OPTIONS
A. Page Title
B. Content Rich Editor - The content area for various media and text formating.
C. Publish Date - Sets a publication date, if a timed date is required.
D. Accessibility - Sets a window of availability for students.
STEP 3. (CRE) CONTENT RICH EDITOR
A. Dropdown menu - these menus provide a redundency for the icons in the toolbar.
B. Rich Media - this group of icons from left-to-right: Lucid Document, YouTube, Microsoft OneDrive, Apps. The Apps is explained in further detail below.
C. Text - Font style and format options.
D. Media - Image, video, and document inserts.
STEP 4. MEDIA AND APPLICATION IMPORTS
This icon group includes imports for (left-to-right) links, images, media, documents. The dropdown menu provides options for inserting Course and User options, in addition to Upload. Step 5 looks at where course and user files are.
Application Import >>>> By clicking on the PLUG icon, and then selecting "view all" a window of applications appear. We see some redundancy with Office 365, Lucid, and YouTube. But, there is also Canvas Studio, LinkedIn, Pearson, etc.
STEP 5. USER AND COURSE FILES
This section is to clarify the difference between User and Course files.
User Files are files that are associated with your account. They are accessible from your ACCOUNT > FILES. In other words, you can access these files from any course you are in.
Course Files >>>> By contract, course files are located in the FILES link in the navigational menu. These files are stored in a space that is allocated for the course.
OVERVIEW: ASSIGNMENT
#1 Assignment TITLE and DESCRIPTION and assignment instruction.
#2 Assignment Group or assignment weighing and points awarded.
#3 Submission Type usually entails setting the File Upload parameter.
#4 Access is an important setting because we want to control WHEN students are able to view assessments.
STEP 1: ASSIGNMENTS LINK
The assignment link open the assignment and group dialogue. The two important fields to note are ASSIGNMENT and GROUP. GROUPS are assignment categories that we can ascribe a percentage value to in building the course grade weights. And, ASSIGNMENTS are the parameters that are particular to an assessment.
STEP 2: ADD ASSIGNMENT GROUP
There are many opportunities to make groups, but it is probably easiest to make the groups at one time. Clicking the +GROUP three dots drops down a settings menu where you can access the ADD ASSIGNGMENT GROUP dialogue. In this example, we are creating a group called CRITIQUE with an overall weight of 30% percent of the grade.
STEP 3: ASSIGNMENT GROUPS WEIGHT
The groups can be edited by accessing the settings. Click the three dots and select ASSIGNMENT GROUPS WEIGHT.
STEP 4: ADJUST WEIGHT
The ASSIGNMENT GROUPS WEIGHT dialogue allows us to adjust the weights and even select if we want to weigh the grades. If you decide to weigh the grades, be sure the total equals 100%. Close this window and proceed to the creating an assignment.
STEP 5: CREATE ASSIGNMENT
The following field is where INSTRUCTION SET for the assignment can be laid out. The editor is CONTENT RICH so if media is required, like embedded video or external links, images, etc., then it is possbile to have it presented here.
STEP 6: SUBMISSION TYPE
The third field is where we set the assignment POINTS. The fourth field is where we can set the ASSIGNMENT GROUP from a dropdown menu. There is also an option to remove the assignment from the final grade.
SUBMISSION TYPE is an important field and requires a little bit of explanation. ONLINE is probably the most common setting, which will likely include FILE UPLOADS. This setting provides an interface for students to be able to upload digital files.
NO SUBMISSION is similar to ON PAPER in that these settings create a column in the gradebook for manual entry. Therefore, paper evaluations and other non-digital formats can be entered, e.g. presentations, debates, discussions, and so on.
STEP 7: DUE DATES
Setting the dates is a REQUIREMENT. The reason is that if the dates are NOT set, students will not be able to access the evaluation. Setting the due date also allows the platform to order the student's assignments in their TODO list, which is a prominent interactive feature. The minimal setting is to enter a DUE DATE. The AVAILABILITY date controls the student's accessibility to the evaluation.
STEP 8: RUBRICS
After clicking SAVE, we then have option to enter RUBRICS. In this example, the TITLE given is CONCEPTS. The CRITERIA is focused on the application of concepts, and how students take a set of ideas and apply them to their analysis. Any number of criteria, ratings, and grading scheme can be applied. Changes are committed by clicking CREATE RUBRIC.
STEP 9: PUBLICATION
The last action is to set the publishing status. provide is the After clicking SAVE, we then have option to enter RUBRICS. It is important to note that once submissions are made, even faculty are not able to alter the assignment after submissions are made, so be certain that assignment is correct before making it available.
STEP 1: NAVIGATIONAL LAYOUT
A. To access the navigation settings, click on the COURSE icon, then click on the SETTINGS link at the bottom of the menu. The page will open a set of tabs. Click on NAVIGATION.
B. The tab lays out two sections of blocks. The upper section signifies that the items are visible to students. By contrast, the blocks in the lower section means that they are hidden from the students. This is indicated by the links in the navigational menu with the crossed-out eye symbols next to them.
C. The left side of the blocks have handles that you can grab and re-order with the mouse. While on the right side, you can disable the block or move the block with another option.
Here are a few essential considerations in publishing a course:
- You must publish a course before students can access it and its contents. Students cannot see unpublished courses and content.
- Publishing your course will send invitations to any users who were manually added to your course. Users added via SIS import will not receive an invitation.
- Course invitations will not be sent until after the course start date. (***The start date is commonly the term date, unless the term is being overridden by a specific course or section date in Course Settings.)
- If your course has been published and includes grades, you cannot modify the course's published status.
STEP 1: Course Publication
The Canvas dashboard is organized based on publication status. The upper part of the dashboard is PUBLISHED and the lower part is UNPUBLISHED>
A. Publish - Each course has there own button for publishing.
B. UNPUBLISH - Unpublishing a course requires clicking the tile.
After entering the course home page, the course status in the top-right corner can be clicked to access the dropdown menu. From here, the UNPUBLISH selection can be made.
STEP 2: Course Duration
For students to see the course on their canvas desktop, the course has to be published. But, just because the course is published does not mean they are able to access the course. That is where the course START and END time come in. These dates NEED to be set based-on the duration of the semester as stipulated in the academic calendar.
Student accessibility to the course can be regulated by the check boxes directly below the calendar settings. The options are to restrict students viewing the course before and after the run-time of the course.
STEP 3: Item Publications
Publication settings cascade down through the course. A course can be published and have a presence in the published section of the Canvas desktop while all the modules are set to UNPUBLISH. This functionality allows faculty to develop and moderate content.
A.) The heading on the module page provides the publication settings on all the modules.
B.) Each module has a publication setting, as well as, all of the items within the module.
💡 Troubleshooting & Tips
- Issue: Cache Clearing
- Recommendation: The platform is tested on the CHROME web browser.