Getting to Canvas: https://learning.unisg.ch/

● Starting Out● Course Structure and Content

○ Modules○ Rich Content Editor

● Course Settings● Managing Activities● Providing Feedback● Communication Options In Canvas

Canvas Essentials: Agenda

Access Canvas here: https://learning.unisg.ch/

● How easy is it to navigate?○ Navigational Complexity

Design Considerations in Canvas

● Does it have engaging activities or material?○ Feature Depth

1 2 3Hands On: Using Modules

In your Course, review the Modules screen and add a new one

Add items or rename existing ones ● Pages● Assignments● Text Headers

Published items are visible to students; Modules must also be published for items to be accessed

1 2 3Hands On: Managing Files

From the Files Menu, upload files/images you want to use in your course

Organise items with Folders

You can control access and visibility, with Publishing Options

1 2 3Hands On: Rich Content Editor

Create or Edit a New Page: Add some text with formatting, bullet points etc

Embed images, files and videos (via your webcam)

Add links to other areas in your course; and don’t forget the Accessibility Checker !

1 2 3Hands On: Course Settings

Review the Course Details and extra options

Consider the Navigation Menu… You can control areas of the course Students can see

The Link Validatorand Student Viewshould always be used to check your Course

Break Time!

● What do you want students to do?○ Draft a document, record a video,

present on a topic...

Defining Assignments

● How do you want to provide feedback?○ Written comments, annotations, video

response...

Assignments In Canvas

● Submissions:○ Essays○ Research Activities○ Draft Documents○ Administration

● Assessment / Event○ Presentation○ Contribution○ Performance

1 2 3Hands On: Starting with Assignments (1 of 2)

Create a new Assignment or Edit an existing one

Include instructions students would follow and embed resources they may require (links, files etc)

Set Submission Typeto Online(For demo purposes)

1 2 3Hands On: Assignment Dates (2 of 2)

Set a Due Date and Time (the ‘Expected Hand In)

Availability Dates/Times change when a student can submit their work

Save and Publish the Assignment

Using Canvas according to the Universities exam regulationsGeneral rules• No feedback from which the final grade could be derived !• The "available until" date should be set equal to the due date, because late submissions are not possible at HSGAssignments• Using graded Assignments is allowed, if it’s listed in the course fact sheet as part of the examination

(list it as “written term paper” because it’s kind of home work and you don’t have an identity control who is doing the assignment)

• It’s allowed to give general feedback , but no points/grades ! (see examples on the next slides)Suggested 2-step-process:

1. Give qualitative feedback (comments, remarks, annotations)2. Hide grades of the assignment (students will not receive new notifications about or be able to see feedback)3. Set the points/grades (-> only visible for the teacher)4. Post grades after the official submission of the final grade by the dean

Quiz Tool• Using quizzes is allowed, if it’s listed in the course fact sheet as part of the examination

(list it as “written term paper” because it’s kind of home work and you don’t have an identity control who is answering the quiz)• Use online quizzes only as a small percentage of the final grade

(so the final grade cannot be derived from the results of the quizzes, see general rule above)• You can also use the ‘Do not count this assignment towards the final grade’ option to make it clear to students

Allowed are…… General Comments… Annotations

If you’re using a rubric:

… Comments to the different criteria

NO points - where it could allow final grade calculation!

Not allowed are…… Any Points… Any Grades

If you’re using a rubric:

… Evaluation of the criteria with ratings/scales* or points

* e.g. fulfilled / partially fulfilled / not fulfilled / …

1 2 3Hands On: Submissions and Feedback

Using the Student View, check the Assignment is visible and Submit a File

Review the Post Policy Options in the Gradebook

Give feedback on the Assignment in Speedgrader

Reviewing: Communication Options

● Consider which tools will be most effective for keeping in touch with Students:○ Course Announcements○ Direct Messages○ Feedback and Comments