Introduction to the LMS Canvas

1. Introduction to Canvas
Lea Susan Engle, MSIS/MA
Canvas Training & Outreach
Learning Sciences
lea.engle@austin.utexas.edu

2. Our Class Goals
• Participants will:
• Be introduced to the new Learning Management System, Canvas
• Understand the basics of:
• Communication
• Assignments
• Gradebook
• File Uploads & Organization
• Modules
• Know where to go for help & support
• Feel more comfortable using Canvas

3. *NEW*LearningManagementSystem(LMS)

4. What’s the difference?
• Canvas:
• Is optimized for multiple platforms
• Apps for iPhone, iPad, Android
• Can send text messages (individual users set preferences)
• Can automatically assign students into project groups
• Integrates well with external apps (Google Docs, iCal, etc.)
• Blackboard vs. Canvas feature breakdown:
https://utexas.instructure.com/courses/633028/pages/blackb
oard-vs-canvas-features

5. Start Here (Change the World)
canvas.utexas.edu

6. Let’s Log in and Look Around
canvas.utexas.edu

7. Navigation
• Help in top right
• Global vs. Course Settings
• Notification Preferences
• Left column – black vs. grey

8. Student View:
SeeWhatTheySee,SubmitTestAssignments,CheckOnlineTests,etc.

9. Exit/Reset Student View
Canvas Instructor Guide – Student View

10. Communication
Canvas Instructor Guide – Conversations Inbox
New Message

11. CC Yourself

12. The Agony and the Ecstasy of
the Little Grey/Green Cloud
This course is UNPUBLISHED only teachers can see it –
edit away!
BUT . . .

13. The Agony and the Ecstasy of
the Little Grey/Green Cloud
Make sure you publish EACH COMPONENT of the course
or students can’t see it.

14. Assignments
• An assignment is anything that students are required to do
• Whether or not there is an online or paper submission
• Whether or not it’s graded
• Creating an assignment creates a column in the Gradebook
• You cannot create a column in the Gradebook without going
through Assignments or Quizzes (online assessments)
• Yes, I will take questions now
Canvas Instructor Guide - Assignments

15. Assignment Rubrics
Canvas Instructor Guide - Rubrics

16. SpeedGrader
Canvas Instructor Guide – SpeedGrader

17. More SpeedGrader
Standard View Viewing Rubric

18. Muting/Unmuting:
Releasing the Hounds Grades
Canvas Instructor Guide – Mute an Assignment

19. Muting/Unmuting an
Assignment

20. Gradebook
Canvas Instructor Guide – Gradebook

21. Gradebook Options
Canvas Instructor Guide – Gradebook

22. Files
Canvas Instructor Guide – Files
Listed alpha-numerically

23. Modules
Canvas Instructor Guide – Modules
Organize your class by week, topic, etc. Modules are made of assignments,
files, pages, quizzes, external links, and more.

24. Canvas Resources
• UT’s Canvas Help Resources
• canvas.utexas.edu/help
• One-on-one or small-group consultations
• canvas.utexas.edu/appointments
• Canvas website
• Instructor Guide
• Student Guide
• Canvas-Webinar Archive

25. Introduction to Canvas
Lea Susan Engle, MSIS/MA
Canvas Training & Outreach
Learning Sciences
lea.engle@austin.utexas.edu