Canvas: Back to Basics. Fundamental skills for LMS success.

This series is presented by staff from eLearning from 2-3PM on the first Monday of each month in LIB001 (across the hall from CAFE, in the lower level of Barber Library).

Faculty who attend and actively participate in four or more sessions will earn a Canvas Back to Basics certificate from the CAFE. Part-time and adjunct faculty can earn a $35 stipend for participation.

2024-25 Session Schedule
TIME & DATE	SESSION TOPIC & OUTCOMES
Nov. 4th, 2-3pm	Become a more efficient and effective grader with Canvas SpeedGrader The first session of Canvas Back to Basics focuses on providing student feedback with SpeedGrader. Just in time for grading midterms, after this session, participants will be able confidently use this Canvas tool to: Navigate to SpeedGrader using multiple access points within Canvas Apply various methods to provide student feedback (comments, annotations, media) Explain how students view and interact with feedback in Canvas Connect rubrics to assignments to evaluate student work efficiently ⭐ SpeedGrader Module
Dec. 2nd, 2-3pm	Prepping content in Canvas for use in a new term Set yourself up for success! In this Back to Basics session, you’ll learn all about how prep Canvas courses for a new term. After this session, you'll be able to: Use the Course Import Tool to roll different kinds of content forward correctly Check for broken links with the Course Link Validator Manage and update course and assignment dates Stay on top of duplicated material by using our newest tool: TidyUp. ⭐ Term Prep Module
Feb. 3rd, 2-3pm	Strategies for creating, deploying, and aligning Canvas Assessments and Activities This interactive workshop will provide you with practical strategies for creating, deploying, and aligning Canvas assessments and activities to ensure meaningful alignment between course materials and stated objectives. After this session, you'll be able to: Analyze current course assignments for alignment with specific learning outcomes Develop strategies for designing Canvas activities that directly support course objectives Apply practical techniques to enhance assignment design and outcome measurement ⭐ Assessments and Activities Module
March 3rd, 2-3pm	Organizational best practices for Modules and Page Design This practical workshop focuses on developing organizational best practices for structuring Canvas Modules and designing effective course pages. You will explore strategies for creating intuitive, well-organized course layouts that enhance student navigation and learning experience. After this session, you'll be able to: Evaluate current module structures for clarity, logical progression, and student usability Develop strategies for creating visually clean and navigable course pages Apply best practices in Canvas page and module design to improve overall course organization A variety of accessible and COCC branded page design layouts will be available for your use if desired. ⭐ Designing in Canvas Module
April 7th, 2-3pm	Time and Sanity Savers - Canvas's Hidden Gems In this interactive workshop, we’ll uncover some of Canvas’s most user-friendly—yet often overlooked—features that can save you time and reduce frustration. Discover how to personalize your workflow, communicate more efficiently with students, and recover from common mishaps with ease. After this session, you'll be able to: Use drag-and-drop tools to adjust due dates directly in the calendar Track and respond to assignment comments via the Canvas Inbox Provide personalized feedback using audio and video comments Use the “Message students who…” feature for proactive support and encouragement Recover accidentally deleted items using Undelete and View Page History Experiment with new tools like Smart Search and Discussion Summaries ⭐ Time and Sanity Savers - Canvas Hidden Gems Module
May 5th, 2-3pm	Optimizing Canvas for Communication This workshop will focus on ways you can use Canvas to support and enhance Regular and Substantive Interactions (RSI) in your courses. RSI is an essential element of online course delivery, but is important for all modes and modalities! In this session, we will: Define RSI and explore real examples of what it can look like in your courses, Dive into how your Canvas profile, settings, dashboard can streamline means of communication, Review ways communication and interaction features are integrated into Canvas tools you’re already familiar with, including: announcements, the Inbox, and the gradebook, Demonstrate the importance of communication records for course review, accreditation, student conduct, and more. ⭐ Optimizing Canvas for Communication and Interaction Module