UTT's LMS: Canvas
UTT utilizes a cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS), specifically Canvas (by Instructure), to manage the range of online learning experiences (technology/web-enhanced, flipped, and blended courses) at the institution. As an LMS, Canvas does not only manage the creation and availability of courses, but it also boasts a variety of features that can transform traditional learning experiences into authentic, active, and dynamic experiences. The Canvas LMS has content creation tools that permit the creation of a range of resources on the platform. Canvas permits faculty to create written instructional notes that are capable of embedding videos and other types of web resources. Additionally, Canvas permits the creation of learning activities such as quizzes and interactive forum discussions. Consequently, all of these resources become available in the courses within which they are created. Moreover, faculty can engage in resource sharing, as the Canvas LMS permits the transfer of resources from one course to another, on the platform. Peruse the various tutorials below and watch any of the relevant videos to upskill yourself in a specific Canvas feature.
Tutorials: Up & Running with Canvas
If this is your first time using the Canvas LMS. Then this is the tutorial series that you want to view. Once you ingest all of the videos in this tutorial series, you will be better able to engage with subsequent features in Canvas, as explained by more advanced tutorials
Tutorials: Canvas Quizzes (Traditional Quiz Engine)
If you need to know how to create a variety of assessments on Canvas, this is the tutorial series to watch. Canvas currently has two quizzing features/options (traditional quizzes versus New Quizzes). These videos will enable you to create quizzes with Canvas traditional quiz features. However, do note, Canvas intends to eventually phase out (sunset) the traditional quiz features.
Tutorials: New Canvas Quizzes (Quizzing Engine)
Canvas has a New Quizzing Engine (LTI), that creates and delivers quizzes via a different workflow. Eventually, this will be the only quizzing engine, so it is important to understand how to create quizzes using the methods illustrated within this video series.
FAQ
How do I customize my notifications in Canvas?
Instructors and students can customize the frequency with which they receive notifications. Please note that, unlike Blackboard, the instructor in Canvas cannot override a student’s notification preferences. It is very important that instructors advise their students that students are responsible for setting their notification preferences to ensure that they receive vital information about the course.
What course home page "type" should I use for my course?
There are several options for the course home page. The most commonly used options are:
Modules: for a very clean, logical, easy-to-understand approach.
Syllabus: this option allows the instructor space to convey general information that resides above a display grid of all the course’s assignments and events.
Pages Front Page: instructors using this option are given total freedom to put whatever they want on their home page. Note, you have to create a page in the Pages area of Canvas before you can designate it as your course’s home page.
Recent Activity Dashboard: this option displays the most recent activity in a course. It’s commonly used when discussion posts are the primary learning strategy. Instructors teaching a purely online course sometimes use this option.
Assignments List: if you think that the assignments are the most essential part of your course, you may want to choose this option.
Learn more about these Course Home Page designs. (Links to an external site.) When you have decided on the type of page you want as your course home page, follow these steps to learn how to do it.
What about adaptive release in Canvas?
Canvas does not currently support adaptive release or prerequisites completely. However, a module in Canvas can be locked or require a prerequisite (Links to an external site.) before it is released.
To fine-tune the release of an item down to the minute, make the item an assignment. Learn more about assignment details. (Links to an external site.)
And to give students additional attempts on a quiz, follow these steps (Links to an external site.).
How does grading in Canvas compare to grading in Blackboard?
Canvas’s SpeedGrader feature allows instructors to grade assignments and tests very easily. Instructors can provide annotations and feedback simply–without ever having to print out or download any files. Learn how to use SpeedGrader. (Links to an external site.)
Some Universities take advantage of Canvas’ recording features to provide audio feedback to their students instead of extended written comments. Both the instructors and students enjoy the personal nature of this type of interaction.
How can I see how my course will look to a student?
Canvas has an easy-to-use feature called “Student View.” Learn more about “Student View.”
How do I link the calendar in Canvas to my Outlook or Google calendar?
To subscribe to your Canvas calendar in either Google or Outlook, follow these guides:
Which browsers does Canvas support?
We strongly recommend that you use Chrome or Firefox as a browser when working in Canvas. (Canvas does support other browsers.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Is there an antiplagiarism tool for Canvas?
Yes. UTT has adopted Turnitin. Learn more about Turnitin