Teaching with Canvas tools

NOTE: The Vimeo player is not accessible within Canvas, if you're using assistive technology, but please see the matching text resources linked below each video or access the video through the originating site by clicking the Vimeo link in the lower right-hand corner as depicted in the picture below.

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Using Modules

The Modules Tool is the most logical way to organize your content by week, unit, topic, or whatever grouping you like. The recommended way to use Modules is to put your Content Pages, Assignments, Files, Discussions, and Quizzes into their respective Module (in the order you would like your students to review them) so that your students have one place to look for everything they need. This reduces the "where is . . .. " questions throughout the semester. This course is organized in Modules by topic. Deactivating the left side navigation options for Pages, Assignments, Files, Discussions, etc. reduces confusion created by having multiple views. You can deactivate navigation items in Settings by choosing the "Navigation" tab and clicking the gear to the right of each tool.

TIP: Depending on your preferred course building process, you can add pages, files, discussion, and quizzes by uploading or creating them directly into a Module or by adding them using the Files, Pages, Discussions, or Quiz tool and then inserting a link to the file in context on the Page or in the Assignment instructions makes it easier for students to find.

522 - Modules: Creation & Management from Canvas LMS on Vimeo.

Canvas Guide for Modules and Modules Video Script

Creating Content Pages

Pages are where you put your content and other materials using the Rich Content Editor. The page you are reading right now is a page from the Canvas Pages Tool.

When creating content pages, the built-in formatting including headings, bulleted lists, and numbered lists must be used for the page to be accessible to screen readers. For more on making your pages accessible see Improving Accessibility in Your Course.

TIP: There are apps that you can use to add additional types of content to your pages such as charts, graphs, and maps. They are in Settings on the Apps tab.

520 - Pages: Creation & Management from Canvas LMS on Vimeo.

Canvas Guide for Pages and Pages Video Script

Using the Rich Content Editor

The rich text editor is available almost everywhere in Canvas where you would enter text. You can use the rich text editor to format text, insert images or video, and link to other sites.

113 - Rich Content Editor from Canvas LMS on Vimeo.

Canvas Guide on using the Rich Content Editor and Rich Content Editor Video Script

Using Discussions

Discussion forums in Canvas can be open to the entire class or restricted to student groups. A best practice from Quality Matters and the Online Learning Consortium quality criteria is to create a Questions Discussion where students can post questions to you and other students.

To set up groups for small group discussion you use the "+Groups" button in the People Tool. (There is also a video about setting up and managing groups)

TIP: Make sure to always click the "Allow Threaded Replies" checkbox when creating a discussion. Threaded replies were automatic in Oncourse but they must be activated manually for each discussion in Canvas.

516b - Discussion Creation from Canvas LMS on Vimeo.

Canvas Guide on Discussions and Creating Discussions Video Script

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