Canvas and many other software apps can be used to encourage interaction and build communication spaces. In McKelvey, the two most straightforward approaches are Canvas Discussion Boards and Piazza. Each can accomplish similar goals; however, each also has its own capabilities. Canvas Discussion Boards can create long discussion chains and foster a sense of student […]
Tag: Canvas
Online community building: Icebreakers
A key part of any online learning community is the building of that community. Students must be made to feel welcome in the digital environment. Getting to know both their peers and instructors sets students up for successful interactions later in the course. There are many strategies that can be used, but frequently, relying on fun, light-hearted […]
Course structure: Online office hours
Office hours are an integral part of a traditional face-to-face course, and they serve an important role in providing your students with support in their learning. Office hours take a different form in an online environment. Using scheduled Zoom sessions for synchronous office hours is a recommended approach. A perennial issue with office hours for […]
Course structure: Instructor biographies
When teaching in traditional brick and mortar settings, most instructors open their courses by introducing themselves. Instructors make these introductions in order to give students a sense of who their instructor is as a person. In online courses, face-to-face introductions are rare. To address this problem, Quality Matters standards call for instructors to include Instructor Biographies […]
Course structure: Orientation modules
The first week of any course is critical. Because we are starting Spring 2021 online, building out your Canvas site and using it as a platform to introduce your course to your students is vital. An Orientation Module can help you in this process. An Orientation Module provides students with critical course information. These details […]
Recording: Canvas Hints and Hacks (July 9, 2021)
This brown bag was an overview of advanced Canvas topics. Bill Siever and Chiamaka Asinugo presented tips on scraping and simplifying various kinds of data out of Canvas, course design, using quiz banks, and useful third party tools. The session recording is linked below. You may need your WUSTL key to view this recording. If […]
Virtual Brown Bag (FRIDAY, July 9th): Canvas Hints and Hacks
The McKelvey Instructional Design Team will be holding a Lunch and Learn session focused on “Canvas Hints and Hacks” on Friday (7/9) @ 12:00pm. Bill Siever will show how Python scripts can be used with Canvas (e.g., easily updating all due dates for a new semester) and some useful Chrome Extensions, including one developed for grading in […]
Recording: Zoom/Canvas training for student instructional staff (January 21, 2021)
This brown bag was a training for AIs and TAs led by Jason Crandall regarding common features in Zoom and Canvas. Topics included: scheduling and recording Zoom meetings, host and co-host controls, Canvas announcements, grading, and quizzes. The session recording is linked below. You may need your WUSTL key to view this recording. If the […]
Recording: Canvas Course Templates (January 8, 2021)
This brown bag was a discussion facilitated by Meghann Pytka regarding Canvas Course templates. Topics included: template benefits, template options, template imports from Canvas Commons, and template customization. The session recording is linked below. You may need your WUSTL key to view this recording. If the link routes you to a Zoom sign-in page, choose […]
Virtual Brown Bag (FRIDAY, January 8): Canvas Course Templates
The McKelvey Instructional Design Team will be holding a Lunch and Learn session focused on “Canvas Course Templates” this Friday (1/8) @ 12:00pm. Topics to be covered include: Template Benefits, Template Options, Template Imports from Canvas Commons, and Template Customization. This session is primarily intended for faculty who are teaching in Spring 2021. What: Canvas Course Templates Virtual […]
Recording: Advanced Testing Brown Bag (December 4, 2020)
This brown bag was a discussion facilitated by Jason Crandall and Meghann Pytka on topics related to testing within the Canvas LMS. The topics covered included: Kaltura vs Canvas Quizzes for video lecture assessment; extended time for accommodations; take home Canvas Quizzes; bonus questions; student-selected questions; and administering multiple exam versions. The session recording is […]
Course tools: Kaltura resources
Kaltura is WashU’s approved video content management platform. While it may not be as straightforward as Zoom for recording Powerpoint lectures or seminar-style conversations, Kaltura is a far more powerful tool overall. Once you become comfortable with it, Kaltura promises to enrich your Canvas learning environment well beyond simple lecture capture. Here are some useful […]