There are several tips, tricks, and gotchas to Canvas. See the list below for some of the more significant!
Tip! Course Copy: Choose a previous semester in the same course with the same duration (16 week, 8 week, etc.) and use that to copy into the next semester. When you click to Adjust Events and Due Dates, it will set the dates for you!
2. Tip! Settings: Click the Validate Links in Content button on the right menu to make sure all the links you added to your course still work. This is especially helpful for any links in YouTube that are not yours but links to documentaries that sometimes change.
3. Gotcha! Publishing: In order for any student to see your content or the course itself, it must be published. This can definitely be a gotcha. Make sure that you look for the green circle next to any course content you add and to make sure your course is listed as published in order for students to access it.
4. Tricks! Setting extended time on assessments: Many students require ADA accommodations requiring extended time on quizzes and exams. Canvas located this feature in a completely different place than Blackboard. Click on the quiz or exam and then click the Moderate This Quiz button in the upper right corner to navigate to the student and set the extended time.
5. Gotcha! The Canvas grade book is set up through your Assignments page. However, if you do not click the dots to the right of the + Assignment button, you will not be able to access the one checkbox you must have selected to set weighted percentages. Definitely a gotcha!
6. Gotcha! When setting up discussion boards that you intend to grade, you must check the Graded check box in the settings of your discussion forum. If you do not select that box, it can make assigning and grading discussion forums a huge burden and make your grade book an absolute mess.
Be aware of the hidden check boxes that are necessary to move forward!
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