Canvas: Map for Success
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Map for Success: Planning and Implementing Your Canvas LMS Course
Wondering where to get started with the Canvas Learning Management System? Get hands-on with an overview of this powerful virtual learning solution, including embedding of other digital tools and creating interactive menus.
Wait, wait, before we get started!! Let's take a moment to ask ourselves, "How do I feel about Canvas right now?"
Session Topics & Outline
Goals
- Today I am working on Canvas course design
- So that I can use Canvas LMS to facilitate instruction for my students
- I'll know if I've got it if I can create a visual map of my Canvas course and explain how I plan to implement it.
Outline
- Introducing Amazing Lesson Design Outline (ALDO)
- Mapping Your Course
- See Some Examples
- Button Menu Creation
- Embedding Content
- Group Explore & Exit Ticket
- More Tips and Videos
1 - Amazing Lesson Design Outline (ALDO)
Work to build a learning partnership with each student, focused on creating a safe, positive learning environment that aligns to the diverse, deep culture backgrounds of students.
Ask yourself, "Where are the students now?" How many are 1) emerging, 2) developing, 3) meeting or 4) exceeding expectations? Determine what formative assessment you will use to assess students. (Source: Diane Sweeney)
Based on the phase of learning your students are in, select a high-effect size instructional strategy and digital tool that will speed learning.
Repeat the assessment you used earlier. Chart student progress towards learning objective. Adjust your existing approach.
Amazing Learning Design Online (ALDO),
a tool for guiding lesson design for diverse learners.
Use the choice board (right) to get you started on designing. It features four choices for each of the lesson design stages in ALDO.
2 - Mapping Your Course
Save time and effort BEFORE you reach for the mouse to login into Canvas. Take the time to ask yourself a few questions and map out your online course. Whether you map it out in a graphic tool, type it up as an outline in a word processor, or draw on a piece of paper, make the time to do this. It won't hurt to have conversations with your colleagues.
Approach #1 - Plan Course Out First
Plan the course, including focus, capacity matrix, and document outline.
Stage the content in Google Drive, including all supporting documents, videos, and activities.
Review/edit the course content. Refine it until ready.
Move that staged content into the learning management system (about two to three hours).
Share the course online. Publicize the course via social media.
Approach #2 - Topic Outline
Make a Map of Your Big Topics. Create your modules ahead of time.
Design an HTML/Image Menu page.
Gather and Organize Resources by topic
Make folders that reflect Big Topics. Put resources in them, other supporting documents in Canvas Files area.
Plan low-stakes assessments throughout
Have a final project or assessment
Share the course online. Publicize the course via social media.
3- See Some Examples
Special thanks to Chelsea Pomponio for sharing screenshots of her Canvas course. Her suggestions include:
Link a module containing the daily or weekly agenda to the homepage.
Create the routine of checking the agenda as soon as class begins.
For others, keep it simple works as well. Consider advice from veteran Canvas user Elizabeth Momont:
Keep it simple. Use one chapter/unit per module.
Use the indent option to format like an old school outline.
I do notes, video notes, homework, and extra help sections in every lesson.
The pretty and more elaborate will come in following years.
4- Explore Tools for Button Menu Creation
Let’s say you wanted to add a clickable button menu for your students to click on. What could you do? To create your button menu, you can begin the journey with the GUI editor Canvas LMS provides you. You can insert the the days of the week into your table cells. It will look something like what you see below. In the end, you will be putting images into Canvas Files section, and working with an HTML Editor (see list below).
You can spend HOURS designing nice-looking content, so that's why it is important to map it out ahead of time...and
be consistent.
a) Button Maker Tools
This multi-lingual image editor (it's available in a variety of languages) works in your browser. You can create a wide variety of amazing gradients, use stamps, and more to get the look-n-feel you want. Take a few moments to get familiar with Sketchpad.io, an easy to use digital makerspace.
You may know about some popular digital tools featured in the TCEA TechNotes blog. Those tools could include background removal tools (e.g. Remove.bg, Cleanup.pictures), note-taking tools, Bitmoji editing, video editing tools, and more. These are all fantastic tools that I keep close, but there are more than can make your life easier.
b) Handy HTML Editors
Canvas LMS's built-in GUI editor and HTML editor sometimes don't offer the functionality you want. That's why you will need to depend on external tools if you want to get fancy.
One free, web-based tool you can use is the, although there are several similar tools you can use. Here’s a quick list of a few you can try:
Try each out and see which one is your preference. They are all quite similar and give you that split view. On one side, you’ll find a “rich text editor” and on the other, HTML code. Editing one side will change the other. This can be great when you don’t know how to adjust the code.
5- Embedding Content and Elements
Wondering how to embed content or digital assessment tools? To the right, you can see a nice chart that explains the different options. Watch video tutorials below after this session to revisit the ideas shared.
The key to putting content into Canvas is what is known as the EMBED code that comes with most digital tools.
External Tools in Assignments
An External Tool enables Canvas users with LTI learning resources and activities originating from other websites and academic technologies. There are also Canvas specific features that are available to link to courses as external tools. An External URL is a web link that we can add to Canvas to direct Canvas users to outside web sources.
6- Exploring in Groups
Let's use these Multimedia Text Sets (MTSs) to explore an area of interest below, discuss with your group, and then share a takeaway. Groups switch as time allows. Try to visit at least THREE groups.
Alternate Activity: Use the Jigsaw Organizer to take notes on content. Read directions shown right (click button)
Exit Ticket
Please take a moment to fill out this exit ticket. Don't do it for me, do it for you! Research shows you will remember more if you complete a short exit ticket like this one. Isn't that amazing?
7- More Tips, Videos, and Helpful Tools
