Canvas Introduction- Teachers

Canvas LMS

Canvas is a cloud-based learning management system. It can be used to instruct and communicate on a 24-hour basis and will be used to create a fluid, collaborative and engaging learning experience. 

To get started I recommend the Canvas Basics Guide.  It contains:

• General Information

• Canvas Features

• Mobile Features

Note: Students & staff log in to Canvas using their school-issued Google credentials. 

Organizing Your Content- Modules

Course organization makes and breaks courses and is ultimately what sets your students up for success or failure. Modules are the heavy lifter of Canvas course organization. They determine your course flow and access.  Some people think of them as digital "folders" of different types of Canvas course content. They can be created based on periods of time or units of study. 

Modules are the foundation of courses

• Content: The Pages, Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, and other course content are built out of the Module. 

• Composition: Text headers and general Module formatting like indenting are the things that make Modules more easily understood.  

• Having both content and composition in a logical order makes for a more enjoyable experience for both you and your students.  

Having a good idea of what you want to share with students, how & when is the hardest part of course construction.  Once you have a plan, the building part goes quickly!

• Great How to Use Modules in Canvas (Video)

• "Set up Your Course in 30 Minutes or Less" (Video)

• Determining home page layout  (see video below in Teacher Videos)

• Course Navigation

• Blueprint course info

Canvas Instructor Guide to find more in-depth Canvas content about specific subjects

Building Your Canvas Course

1. Determine what Canvas tools to use & for what purpose

2. Backward Course Design 

3. Determine Home Page

4. Building Assignments

5.  Determining discussion types & strategies

6.  Adding your assessments (quizzes & surveys)