Latest Canvas Updates and Tools for Fall 2024 (Part 2 of 2)

Submitted by Amy Netzel on
In this follow-up to our Canvas Updates and Tools for Fall 2024 Part 1, we’d like to introduce two brand-new Canvas features that we believe many of you will enjoy exploring: Screen Capture in SpeedGrader and Lucid. SpeedGrader’s New Screen Capture Over the summer, Canvas quietly enhanced the feedback options available in SpeedGrader by adding a new feature called Screen Capture. Located below the Assignment Comments box in the grading pane, this feature allows you to record video feedback (or

Latest Canvas Updates and Tools for Fall 2024 (Part 1 of 2)

Submitted by Amy Netzel on
Welcome back, instructors! As we embark on a new fall semester at ʿⱦapp, Instructional Technologies is here to support you with information on updated resources and Canvas tools. This month, we’ll be sharing two blog articles with you. To kick things off with Part 1, we’ll be sharing several important Canvas updates and some resources to enhance your teaching experience. Updated Online Course Guidelines Earlier this year, the Distance Learning Committee revised ʿⱦapp’s Online Course

T-Minus Two Weeks Until the Redesigned Discussions Tool Launches

Submitted by Amy Netzel on
In our last blog post, Canvas Discussions Redesign Coming Soon, we provided a first look at the upcoming redesigned Discussions tool. At this time, we suggest marking your calendar; the more modernized look and feel for Discussions will be here May 13th! We’ve explored the expected changes and have created a more personalized demonstration video to help you navigate the redesign and learn a few tips before it arrives: Tips and Resources Your students may gain the ability to edit, delete, and

Canvas Discussions Redesign Coming Soon!

Submitted by Alan Brown on
The Canvas Discussions Redesign introduces a suite of new features that enhance usability and flexibility within Canvas discussions. While retaining all the existing discussion functionality, this redesign incorporates a modernized user interface that enriches the instructor and student experience with advanced options for interaction, navigation, and organization. Key improvements include easier ways of viewing, searching, and sorting replies, alongside enhanced tools for discussion moderation

From Chaos to Clarity: How Canvas Gradebook Filters Can Help You

Submitted by Marisa Sullivan on
At this point in the semester, your Gradebook in Canvas has probably gathered quite a few assignment columns. The presentation of columns can seem cluttered, especially when viewing all student work in your Gradebook. While it is not hard to navigate your Canvas Gradebook, the Filters feature can help to improve clarity, organization, and ease of grading. Filters allow you to narrow your Gradebook view to specific: Modules (i.e., Week 2) Assignment Groups (i.e, Exams) Status (i.e., Missing, Late

Tools for Your Canvas Toolbox

Submitted by Alan Brown on
Moving into the heart of the Spring semester, the Instructional Technologies team would like to highlight a few tips and time-saving strategies that can be applied as you use Canvas as an instructor. Our goal is to provide tools that you can add to your Canvas toolbox as you become a more efficient, effective, and expert Canvas user. For each tool, view the video demonstration and access the quick reference guide for additional information and links to supplementary resources. Emojis in Module

Tying up the Canvas Bow on Fall 2023 and Looking Ahead to Spring 2024

Submitted by Amy Netzel on
As we approach the final days of 2023, Instructional Technologies is taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've undertaken alongside ʿⱦapp's dedicated faculty. The past year has been a whirlwind of change, with the Sakai-to-Canvas transition standing out as a testament to your hard work and adaptability. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the crucial role you play in ensuring the success of ʿⱦapp's students (and fellow faculty members) on Canvas. Today’s

Canvas Zen: 3 Easy Solutions for 3 Frustrating Problems

Submitted by Marisa Sullivan on
As we become more familiar with Canvas, we have received lots of great questions about using the LMS. In learning more about Canvas together, some common issues have emerged from faculty. These have the potential to cause frustration and some moments of panic. The good news is that each of these issues has an easy and quick fix. To help you avoid these panicky moments, please review the problems and solutions below. HELP…I gave an extension to a student on a quiz (or assignment or discussion)

Boosting Your Canvas Skills with Canvas Special Topics Webinars

Submitted by Amy Netzel on
Earlier this semester, Instructional Technologies teamed up with Erin Mahoney-Ross, a Canvas expert from Instructure, to deliver a series of webinars on selected Canvas topics. The topics were carefully curated to help broaden faculty’s awareness of Canvas’s tools and capabilities, as well as help provide a better understanding of the student experience on Canvas. If you missed the live webinars, we’ve prepared “on-demand” webinar recordings that are available to you at any time. Grab your

Exploring Three New Canvas Features

Submitted by Amy Netzel on
It’s been a few months since we last posted to the blog, but we know how hard you’ve been working to get ʿⱦapp’s first Fall Semester on Canvas off the ground! We’d like to thank you for all the thoughtful questions you’ve sent to us over these past few weeks and months at canvashelp@durhamtech.edu, and we encourage you to continue to send your questions to that email address. Hearing what has been on your minds regarding using Canvas and setting up your courses has underscored for us the