Dr. Alice Butzlaff (Nursing):

Keep the Menu simple and link modules on the home page
Less than 3-4 clicks for students
Use the Syllabus tab and the calendar

I have A LOT of assignments that have nothing to submit on canvas. Student's submit assignments on other platforms (like Evolve, The Point, i-Human, etc...) Students always request I enter every due date on the calendar to remind them.
Use Pages to reduce the number of module items

Long module links are overwhelming for me (check out Alice Butzlaff's Canvas Tips pdf document with Screenshots)

Dr. Megan Chang (Occupational Therapy):

"Start Here" Module that includes Resource/Technical support page that Yingjie created - I highly recommend adopting this module - this gives students one stop shop to find answers wherever they have any questions about the class (not the content). I also include a Quiz w Lockdown Browser that includes key info from syllabus as well as a method to get students ready for the upcoming quizzes or midterms.
Home page - create a home page that includes instructor contact info, grading policy, office hours, etc. I also add some personal info (eg. I play in our university orchestra, love hiking) to make it a bit personable.
Pictures, Graphs or Flowchart - this gives students some idea about how the class flows or gives a general picture of the class (but this may not apply to all courses?).

Screenshot 2020-06-02 18.06.43.png

Canvas Studio - this is a new found fun for me - I've been playing with this and found it quite useful for short video, easier than Zoom recording or recording in Powerpoint. However, I haven't tried recording a lecture - would like to know others experience.
Canvas Pages - I usually upload one articles, video, etc per week that makes each module rather long (vertically) because it usually includes lecture ppt, keywords, resources, assignments/homework, discussion, etc. I learned that once I use pages, I can not only provide brief descriptions but also embed all readings, assignments, to-do list in one page.
Google Apps (G-drive, G-doc, G-hangout, G-slides, G-Sites) for group work, this is especially good for year long research projects --- my students prefer to use Google Apps than Canvas group page. I also use G-Cal to schedule office hours so students can see my availability.
I adopted Etiquette and Netiquette info that I received from QOLT workshop - this reminds students how to communicate online appropriately, post their feedback in a constructive way because sometimes humors do not translate easily and words could be interpreted or perceived from the original intention. Also, the posts could be different from texting or posting it on social media.
Create a "Muddiest Point" on Discussion - for students to ask questions and help each other to provide a sense of community and peer support
Speedgrader - I use it exclusively - I can record my responses to students, circle or highlight areas students need to improve and apply grading rubric to speed up grading.
Schedule Zoom meeting in Course page (instead of Zoom app) - that will send a notice to the entire class.
Assigned peer reviewer for students to review others work - they not only can help instructors to detect errors (eg. APA, format, extra eye to help with grading) but also learn from each other (encourage peer learning activity)

12. Use Turnitin App (highly recommend) - have students use TurnItin to check the areas highlighted (and revise them as needed) before submission. Note that if it's an accumulative writing assignment, the percentage tends to be inflated due to the student's previous submission.

---below not necessary Canvas---

(Polleverywhere or Zoom poll - I like using it to have a quick check in the beginning of the class re. how students are doing and whether or not if they get some key points from the previous class
Padlet - I'm testing and using it in the summer course - I really like it so far for students to share their findings and respond to each other. Unless Canvas Discussion that goes vertically, there are several templates for different purposes. The problem is that it's not linked to Speedgrader so grading could be problematic.

Dr. Robin Love (Education):

I find the Discussion Area particularly especially for an online class. Until now that is the way that I have tried to build a sense of community in an online classroom. Having students post and also respond to other students' postings has been very helpful. And I use a number of the ideas that I learned about from one of the eCampus' Summer Course Redesign Program for making discussions more engaging -- e.g., asking students to post photos as part of certain discussions and or including information from an interview with another person. Those elements have led to more student engagement on the discussion board.

The Module section of Canvas is really helpful as an organizational tool for the course. I have a "Getting Started" Module, a module with important course materials, modules for each topic in the course, and modules with resources for the students. I usually start out with only a few of them "published" (visible to the students) -- the Getting Started, Course Materials, and the FIrst Topic Module. That seems to help the students see the organization clearly from the beginning. Once we get going -- I open more of the topic Modules.

Taking time to have students check their Canvas account so that it is linked to their SJSU email is really useful and setting it up so that they get Announcements sent to their email is really helpful.

Using the Speed Grader is useful. Students seem very responsive to comments about their assignments. That has been particularly helpful in reviewing and commenting on drafts of assignments.

The Group function in Canvas has also been helpful in connecting students for group or partnered activities. It give a way to connect students and a space for them to share materials.

Faculty Mentor:

-In Canvas Settings, More Options, check “Show recent announcements on the home screen.”

-Use Canvas Scheduler to allow students to schedule appointments with the instructor

-Put graphics you will use in all your course in Account level file folders, and those you will use in your course in course level folders

-Ask students to post their photos

-Post multimedia files to the discussions

-Pre-schedule announcements to be sent out automatically