January 2015 COSS FCAT Bulletin
January 2015 COSS FCAT Bulletin
The College of Social Sciences Faculty Consultant for Academic Technology Canvas site is specifically designed to serve the needs of the COSS faculty and programs. Visit https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576 for guides, tips, strategies and tutorials on using Canvas and integrating technology into your classes.
FCAT Ted M. Coopman <ted.coopman@sjsu.edu> in Communication Studies is available for one-on-one or group consultations and workshops in-person, via Skype, or through email.
Remember - Canvas Feature Updates
Canvas features are constantly updated and improvements and fixes pushed out to users. You can check resent updates by checking the Canvas Release Notes page: http://tickets.instructure.com/forums/337224-product-release-notes
News for January
Reserve me for first faculty meeting workshops - slots go fast so let me know ASAP
Looking to use Canvas in a new way and hit a snag? Email me!
Get a jump on the term by using Canvas to start on January 23 regardless of your first meeting day!
- Have them look over the syllabus and assignments before that first physical meeting and bring in questions
- Message them early with any instructions
- Have them bring something into class the first day to activate and engage them
- Better yet, do what I do and put them to work!
Making your Canvas Site work the way you want
Transfer in past classes or elements/assignments and have it change the dates for you!
Old Course To New Term https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576/pages/number-6-old-course-to-new-term
Make sure your class opens and closes when you want it to by customizing the dates
Starting And Ending Access To Your Canvas Shell
https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576/pages/starting-and-ending-access-to-your-canvas-shell
Hide Canvas features you do not use and/or add content to navigation side bar
[Under settings, select the navigation tab, and then drag off or rearrange as desired]
Add Content To Navigation Bar https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576/pages/number-7-add-content-to-navigation-bar
Reminders...
You need to "publish" pages and assignments before students can see them
Draft State View https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576/pages/draft-state-view
If you assignments or pages are in modules, you need to publish the module before students can see the items even if they are published themselves.
Modules Double Publish Needed https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576/pages/number-9-modules-double-publish-needed
Featured Features
Announcements - reach students fast on all their devices
Pro-tip: if you just want to just send out messages and not deal with student's replies, disable replies under settings (under setting select "more options," and then check the appropriate box).
What are Announcements?
http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/40297-what-are-announcements
How do I make an Announcement?
http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/50731-how-do-i-make-an-announcement
Use Modules for Navigation and Organization
My student tell me they like having course content arranged by week and/or category under modules. It also allows me to get a better view of the scope of the course. It's easy!
What are Modules?
http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/55575-what-are-modules
How do I create a new Module?
http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/41424-how-do-i-create-a-new-module
Everything there is to know about Modules in no particular order
http://guides.instructure.com/searches?utf8=%E2%9C%93&text=Modules&commit=Search
Turnitin Update
Turnitin Status Attempts
Canvas has increased the number of status attempts made for a Turnitin assignment. Instead of doubling beginning at 5 minutes, attempts will double beginning at 2 minutes: 2 minutes, 4 minutes, 8 minutes, 16 minutes, etc. This change helps instructors view Turnitin reports more quickly.
Check out the full training module on using Turnitin on the COSS-FCAT site https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576
Or go straight to: https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1077576/pages/start-here-for-turnitin