Canvas: Overview for New Faculty

Canvas is a versatile Learning Management System (LMS), designed to streamline course management, enhance communication, and support student engagement through a variety of integrated tools. This article provides an overview of Canvas's key features for new faculty, including content creation, grading, communication, and best practices for optimizing the educational experience.

What is Canvas?

Canvas is a powerful Learning Management System (LMS) that supports teaching and learning by providing a platform for course content, assignments, grades, and communication. It integrates with various tools and services to enhance the educational experience for both instructors and students at the Colorado School of Mines.

Accessing Canvas

To access Canvas, go to my.mines.edu, login with your Mines credentials, and search for "Canvas" in the search field. Next, click on the Canvas icon to get started.

Dashboard

• The primary landing page for Canvas.
• Displays Course Cards for quick access to active courses.
• Global Navigation menu on the left for navigating Canvas features.
• To-Do list shows upcoming tasks across all courses.
• Courses will appear on your dashboard before the start of a new academic term.

Content Creation

• Syllabus: Upload and manage your course syllabus, making it accessible to students directly from the course navigation menu.
• Modules: The primary tool to organize files, pages, assignments, quizzes, and other course content.
• Pages & Files: Create and manage course content to be placed within modules.
• Assignments: Setup with descriptions, due dates, rubrics, and various submission types.
• Quizzes: Create and administer quizzes with various question types, automatic grading, and instant feedback for students.

Communication Tools

• Announcements: Post and send announcements to all students in your course.
• Discussions: Set up and manage class discussions.
• Inbox: Message students individually or in groups.
  • Determine a communication policy that best suits your preferences and matches your department’s standards. Mines Email is also a viable tool for communicating with students outside of the classroom.

Gradebook & SpeedGrader

• A centralized view of all student grades and assignment submissions.
• Apply weighting and custom grading schemes for different types of assessments.
• Efficiently grade assignments with inline feedback and rubrics.
• Navigate between student submissions quickly, saving time on grading.

Integrations

• Ed Discussion: Encourage student interaction through discussion questions.
• Hypothesis: Increase student engagement through social annotation.
• GradeScope: Streamline grading of assignments and exams with automated tools.  
• iClicker: Poll students to promote active learning.  
• MediaSpace: Create and embed videos or add interactive video quizzes within your course. Go to my.mines.edu and search for “mediaspace.”

Student Engagement

• Canvas Analytics: Monitor student progress and engagement within your courses.
• Interactive Assignments: Use Canvas features to create interactive learning experiences.
• Groups & Collaborations: Set up student groups for collaborative work.

Support & Resources

• Help & Support:
  • Canvas Guides: Search “Canvas” at helpcenter.mines.edu.
  • IT Service Desk: 303-278-HELP (4357) or submit a support ticket.
  • 24/7 Canvas Support (Faculty): 1-833-291-3239
• Workshops & Training: Check the Mines Daily Blast regularly for training opportunities.

Best Practices

• Course Design: Use a consistent structure with modules to help students easily find materials and stay organized.  
  • Example: Organize modules by week or by curriculum unit.
• Student Feedback: Regularly gather and incorporate student feedback to refine and improve course content, ensuring it meets learning objectives. Mines Course Evaluations are sent to students at the end of the term/semester.  
• Accessibility: Ensure all course content is accessible by using alt text for images, captions for videos, and considering the needs of all students when designing materials.

Publish!!!

Remember to publish your courses and individual content items to make them visible to your students. Unpublished items remain hidden and inaccessible, so double-check to make sure that everything is published before the course or class session begins.