Canvas Best Practices, Tips and Tricks from SJSU Faculty-2

• 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 Download Canvas Tips pdf document with Screenshots
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1. "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. 
2. 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. 
3. 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?).

4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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. 
8. Create a "Muddiest Point" on Discussion - for students to ask questions and help each other to provide a sense of community and peer support
9. 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. 
10. Schedule Zoom meeting in Course page (instead of Zoom app) - that will send a notice to the entire class.
11. 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)

---below not necessary Canvas---

13. (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
14. 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):

Faculty Mentor: