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Add Sound to Your PagesSomething fun to add to your course is a short 2-3 second sound effect when students open a page. When students finish a quest or a mission in your gamified course, a short crowd cheering sound effect could be added to the congratulations page. It requires a Sound Cloud account. This is a tip from Danny Childers who posted in the Canvas Community. | Check Course StatisticsCourse statistics enable you to see which Discussions, Assignments, and Quizzes are engaging students. You can also see recently logged in users. Checking these statistics will help you detect which students have started to fall behind in their coursework. Clicking individual student names takes you to their user details. Go to Settings>Course Statistics. | Add a Script to Print a QuizYou may need to print a Canvas quiz for students with modifications. @ChadScottKISD wrote a script that you can use with Tampermonkey to print a quiz from the preview page. Add the Tampermonkey extension and add the script.
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Add Sound to Your Pages
Something fun to add to your course is a short 2-3 second sound effect when students open a page. When students finish a quest or a mission in your gamified course, a short crowd cheering sound effect could be added to the congratulations page. It requires a Sound Cloud account. This is a tip from Danny Childers who posted in the Canvas Community.
Check Course Statistics
Course statistics enable you to see which Discussions, Assignments, and Quizzes are engaging students. You can also see recently logged in users. Checking these statistics will help you detect which students have started to fall behind in their coursework. Clicking individual student names takes you to their user details. Go to Settings>Course Statistics.
Add a Script to Print a Quiz
You may need to print a Canvas quiz for students with modifications. @ChadScottKISD wrote a script that you can use with Tampermonkey to print a quiz from the preview page. Add the Tampermonkey extension and add the script.
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Use UndeleteNot all is lost when you've deleted a page in Canvas. Go to the course url and type /undelete after your course number. You will see a list of content that you can restore! | Use Powtoon for Lesson IntroductionsPowtoon is a fun, engaging animation software that is free and easy to use. When you publish your Powtoon, choose the embed code option. Copy it and paste this code into your HTML Editor. | Add and Organize Your FilesYou can add multiple files by going to the "Files" link in the course navigation and then clicking "Upload." You can also add folders and then drag-and-drop files into those folders.
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Use Undelete
Not all is lost when you've deleted a page in Canvas. Go to the course url and type /undelete after your course number. You will see a list of content that you can restore!
Use Powtoon for Lesson Introductions
Powtoon is a fun, engaging animation software that is free and easy to use. When you publish your Powtoon, choose the embed code option. Copy it and paste this code into your HTML Editor.
Add and Organize Your Files
You can add multiple files by going to the "Files" link in the course navigation and then clicking "Upload." You can also add folders and then drag-and-drop files into those folders.
Reason #12 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Use Ctrl+KLinks in your course open up within the Canvas instance. If you would like links to open in a new tab, click on the link and press CTRL+K. A new window opens. Click the drop-down arrow by "Target" and choose "New Window." | Use HTML CodeIf you have some basic knowledge of HTML coding, you can "spruce" up your course with some interesting features including buttons and other components. Canvas has a style guide you can reference. Just go to your canvas link and type "/styleguide" at the end. | Use View Page HistoryYou have the ability to view your page history in Canvas and reset it to an earlier version. This is similar to Version History in Google applications. When on a content page, click the three dots and choose "View Page History." Click the date you want to restore and then click "Restore this revision."
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Use Ctrl+K
Links in your course open up within the Canvas instance. If you would like links to open in a new tab, click on the link and press CTRL+K. A new window opens. Click the drop-down arrow by "Target" and choose "New Window."
Use HTML Code
If you have some basic knowledge of HTML coding, you can "spruce" up your course with some interesting features including buttons and other components. Canvas has a style guide you can reference. Just go to your canvas link and type "/styleguide" at the end.
Use View Page History
You have the ability to view your page history in Canvas and reset it to an earlier version. This is similar to Version History in Google applications. When on a content page, click the three dots and choose "View Page History." Click the date you want to restore and then click "Restore this revision."
Reason #11 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Try Mastery Paths If you are interested in differentiating for your students, try mastery paths. Performance on a pre-assessment designates conditional assignments for students. By doing this, you put each student on his own learning path. | Use the Redirect AppHave a page students need direct access to? We tend to put these links on a home page, but if you want to provide course members access from anywhere in the course, use the redirect app. This app will allow you to customize your course navigation. | Add a FlipGrid AssignmentFlipGrid, now FREE for teachers, is a great tech tool to integrate into your course. It is a video discussion platform. Let students discuss a book, explain a math problem, practice foreign language, and more all within the safe confines of your Canvas course.
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Try Mastery Paths
Use the Redirect App
Have a page students need direct access to? We tend to put these links on a home page, but if you want to provide course members access from anywhere in the course, use the redirect app. This app will allow you to customize your course navigation.
Add a FlipGrid Assignment
FlipGrid, now FREE for teachers, is a great tech tool to integrate into your course. It is a video discussion platform. Let students discuss a book, explain a math problem, practice foreign language, and more all within the safe confines of your Canvas course.
Reason #10 Nearpod is the Neatest
Reason #9 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Use the Conferences LinkIf you would like to be able to help students virtually, you can use the Conferences link. You can invite the entire class or you can set up appointments and virtually tutor individual students. | Use an iFrame Tag to Embed a LeaderboardFlippity.net has a great leaderboard option (The Progress Indicator). Instead of putting a link to that board, you can embed the site in a Canvas content page using the iFrame tag. If you aren't great at coding, use an iFrame Generator. | Use ThinkLink to Tag an ImageTagging images in Canvas can be achieved by using Thinglink. A home page can be more aesthetically pleasing if it has images or one image with "hotspots" or links to navigate the course. Thinglink is free and easy to use. You build your image and tags in Thinglink and then grab the embed code. Then, embed in a content page. |
Use the Conferences Link
If you would like to be able to help students virtually, you can use the Conferences link. You can invite the entire class or you can set up appointments and virtually tutor individual students.
Use an iFrame Tag to Embed a Leaderboard
Flippity.net has a great leaderboard option (The Progress Indicator). Instead of putting a link to that board, you can embed the site in a Canvas content page using the iFrame tag. If you aren't great at coding, use an iFrame Generator.
Use ThinkLink to Tag an Image
Tagging images in Canvas can be achieved by using Thinglink. A home page can be more aesthetically pleasing if it has images or one image with "hotspots" or links to navigate the course. Thinglink is free and easy to use. You build your image and tags in Thinglink and then grab the embed code. Then, embed in a content page.
Flippity.net has Bingo!
Reason #8 Nearpod is the Neatest
Reason #7 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Put a Course End DateIf you have created a Canvas course for a club and have added students to it, you should put a course end date. This way, when the year ends, the course concludes and you won't have to sort through students who aren't participating year after year. This isn't recommended for courses added by your institution that already have appropriate start and end dates. | Print Your Canvas CalendarWhile there is no direct functionality to print the calendar while in Canvas, teachers and students can subscribe to the calendar feed using a Google Calendar or Outlook. How to Subscribe to the Calendar Feed Using Google Calendar | Give Another Attempt on a QuizStudents may have technical difficulties while taking a quiz and need another attempt. You can give them another attempt by going to the Quiz, clicking Moderate This Quiz on the top-right, and clicking on the Edit icon. |
Put a Course End Date
If you have created a Canvas course for a club and have added students to it, you should put a course end date. This way, when the year ends, the course concludes and you won't have to sort through students who aren't participating year after year. This isn't recommended for courses added by your institution that already have appropriate start and end dates.
Print Your Canvas Calendar
While there is no direct functionality to print the calendar while in Canvas, teachers and students can subscribe to the calendar feed using a Google Calendar or Outlook.
How to Subscribe to the Calendar Feed Using Google Calendar
Give Another Attempt on a Quiz
Students may have technical difficulties while taking a quiz and need another attempt. You can give them another attempt by going to the Quiz, clicking Moderate This Quiz on the top-right, and clicking on the Edit icon.
Reason #6 Nearpod is the Neatest
Use the Collaborations Feature
Collaborations in Canvas allow students to collaborate on a Google Doc without having to share email addresses. The Collaborations link then houses each of the collaborations making it easy for students to find them. Instructors can assign groups and then grade collaborations as well.
Create a Rubric for an Assignment
Adding a rubric to an assignment lets the student's know your expectations and let's them know how you intend to grade the assignment. You can add rubrics to assignments, graded discussions, and quizzes.
Rearrange Assignments in the Gradebook
You can arrange columns in your gradebook by due date and by points. If you'd like to reorder differently, then you can simply hover over the assignment name until you see a hand. Then, drag and drop.
Reason #5 Nearpod is the Neatest
Reason #4 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Import ExamView Quizzes and Tests into CanvasYour digital curriculum may come with ExamView files zipped and saved as QTI files. If you create tests in ExamView and would like to import them into Canvas, you can also export from ExamView as a WebCT file. Then, you can import either of the two file types into Canvas. You'll need to edit a little and change point totals, but saves you some work retyping. | Allow Students to Add Attachments to DiscussionsBy default, students cannot add attachments to their discussions. To enable students to do this, go to Discussions and click on the settings gear. Put a checkmark in the box next to "Attach files to discussions." | Use a File Upload Question in a QuizIf you want your math students to show work and still use a Canvas quiz, use the File Upload Question option. Students can take a picture of their work and upload directly to that question. |
Import ExamView Quizzes and Tests into Canvas
Your digital curriculum may come with ExamView files zipped and saved as QTI files. If you create tests in ExamView and would like to import them into Canvas, you can also export from ExamView as a WebCT file. Then, you can import either of the two file types into Canvas. You'll need to edit a little and change point totals, but saves you some work retyping.
Allow Students to Add Attachments to Discussions
By default, students cannot add attachments to their discussions. To enable students to do this, go to Discussions and click on the settings gear. Put a checkmark in the box next to "Attach files to discussions."
Use a File Upload Question in a Quiz
If you want your math students to show work and still use a Canvas quiz, use the File Upload Question option. Students can take a picture of their work and upload directly to that question.
Add the Badgr App to Your Canvas Course
If you are interested in gamifying your course, add the Badgr App. Once it is installed and set up, badges are awarded based on module completion. Design modules to cover a TEK or a unit of study or you can create modules that assess a particular skill.
Use Total Points in the Gradebook
Another gamifying aspect is awarding experience points (XP) for completing tasks. As students acquire these points, they can level up through ranks and earn prizes. Canvas allows you to change your gradebook from a percentage view to a total points view. This makes it easy for you and the students to keep track of their XP.
Use Assignments with No Submission
If you are gamifying your course and awarding experience points (XP), you may want to award XP for something besides grades. For example, awarding 100 XP for attending tutorials or 50 XP for finishing a warm-up question. You can create an assignment with no submission to keep track of additional XP.
Reason #3 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Add a File in a Content PageIf you have files students need to read or reference, you can add these in a content page. Add related files to one content page to reduce the length of your modules. Place your cursor in the content page where you would like the file to be added. Go to Files>+ Upload a new file>Choose File>(choose file)>Open>Upload. | Create a Hyperlink to a FileAfter adding a file to a content page, you'll notice the entire file name is added. For example, "Solving Linear Equations.pdf" If you would like a cleaner look, you could hyperlink the file to a word. Type "Please review this file, then continue in the module." Highlight the word "file", then add a file as explained in "Add a File in a Content Page." | Use Auto-Inline PreviewWhen adding a file, the students can either download it or they can preview a file if it is supported by the document previewer. The inline preview window automatically expands to fit a preview of the attached document. Way cooler. |
Add a File in a Content Page
If you have files students need to read or reference, you can add these in a content page. Add related files to one content page to reduce the length of your modules.
Place your cursor in the content page where you would like the file to be added. Go to Files>+ Upload a new file>Choose File>(choose file)>Open>Upload.
Create a Hyperlink to a File
After adding a file to a content page, you'll notice the entire file name is added. For example, "Solving Linear Equations.pdf" If you would like a cleaner look, you could hyperlink the file to a word. Type "Please review this file, then continue in the module." Highlight the word "file", then add a file as explained in "Add a File in a Content Page."
Use Auto-Inline Preview
When adding a file, the students can either download it or they can preview a file if it is supported by the document previewer. The inline preview window automatically expands to fit a preview of the attached document. Way cooler.
Reason #2 Nearpod is the Neatest
Reason #1 Nearpod is the Neatest
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Use the Canvas Teacher AppIf you would like to grade on-the-go, then use the Canvas Teacher App. It also provides you with the ability to communicate with your students using an announcement or a message and can also update course content. | Embed a VideoEmbedding videos in your Canvas course give students the opportunity to either review material you have covered in class or it gives students a chance to learn on-the-go when they miss for extra curricular activities. There are many ways to insert a YouTube video. Check out the link below for a how-to. | Change Course Section NamesRenaming your sections can be helpful if you are utilizing the Canvas gradebook. Instead of a course number, you can rename it to read which class period and content area. Go to Settings > Sections. Then edit to rename. |
Use the Canvas Teacher App
If you would like to grade on-the-go, then use the Canvas Teacher App. It also provides you with the ability to communicate with your students using an announcement or a message and can also update course content.
Embed a Video
Embedding videos in your Canvas course give students the opportunity to either review material you have covered in class or it gives students a chance to learn on-the-go when they miss for extra curricular activities. There are many ways to insert a YouTube video. Check out the link below for a how-to.
Change Course Section Names
Renaming your sections can be helpful if you are utilizing the Canvas gradebook. Instead of a course number, you can rename it to read which class period and content area. Go to Settings > Sections. Then edit to rename.
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Search the Canvas GuidesIf you want to dig deeper in how to use Canvas, check out the Canvas Guides. There is help for every tool in Canvas from an instructor's point of view and from a student's point of view. When asking students to do something new in Canvas, you can use the links in the Student Guides and add them in the assignment descriptions. | Use the SchedulerIf you would like students to make appointments to see you or sign up for an after school tutorial, you can use the Scheduler in the Calendar. You can set the appointment date and time range. You can also limit how many users can sign up for a particular time slot. | Know the Quiz OptionsCanvas quizzes have several options including setting a time limit, giving users multiple attempts, allowing users to either see the quiz answers or set a date for answers to be revealed. You can also shuffle multiple choice answer choices. |
Search the Canvas Guides
If you want to dig deeper in how to use Canvas, check out the Canvas Guides. There is help for every tool in Canvas from an instructor's point of view and from a student's point of view. When asking students to do something new in Canvas, you can use the links in the Student Guides and add them in the assignment descriptions.
Use the Scheduler
If you would like students to make appointments to see you or sign up for an after school tutorial, you can use the Scheduler in the Calendar. You can set the appointment date and time range. You can also limit how many users can sign up for a particular time slot.
Know the Quiz Options
Canvas quizzes have several options including setting a time limit, giving users multiple attempts, allowing users to either see the quiz answers or set a date for answers to be revealed. You can also shuffle multiple choice answer choices.
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Download as a PDF If you need to download a Google Doc, you can do that in a variety of file types. The easiest to send and for others to open is pdf. Just click File>Download as.... | Clear Cache and History Quickly Want a quick way to clear your browsing history, cookies, and cache? Click CTRL+SHIFT+DEL. A pop-up appears and prompts you to clear your data. Easy! | Google Fun: Pong! So, if you are a fan of Minesweeper. you may even be old enough to remember the very first video game: Pong. Here's the extension! https://tinyurl.com/yaynmou5 Use the arrows on your keyboard. |
Download as a PDF
Clear Cache and History Quickly
Google Fun: Pong!
Google Fun: Minesweeper Extension
Google Tip: Define Words
Google Tip: Add a Shortcut to Your Desktop
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Build in a Master CourseBest practice is to build your content in a course that does not have students enrolled. The name Master Course is synonymous with a "playground" or "sandbox" course and is a place for teachers to fine-tune content and collaborate with other teachers on course creation. | Utilize the GradebookYou can set a default grade for assignments, export grades to a spreadsheet, download submissions, and several other cool options. A nice one is the ability to message students based on some criteria. You can message students who haven't submitted the assignment or you can message students who scored more or less than a particular score. | Import Content for StudentsAfter building your content in your Master Course, you will want to move that content into your live, student courses. Just open the live, student course, click Settings>Import Course Content. On the new page, you will choose Copy a Canvas Course and then click the drop-down to find your Master Course that holds all of your great content. Choose All Content for your first import. |
Build in a Master Course
Best practice is to build your content in a course that does not have students enrolled. The name Master Course is synonymous with a "playground" or "sandbox" course and is a place for teachers to fine-tune content and collaborate with other teachers on course creation.
Utilize the Gradebook
You can set a default grade for assignments, export grades to a spreadsheet, download submissions, and several other cool options. A nice one is the ability to message students based on some criteria. You can message students who haven't submitted the assignment or you can message students who scored more or less than a particular score.
Import Content for Students
After building your content in your Master Course, you will want to move that content into your live, student courses. Just open the live, student course, click Settings>Import Course Content. On the new page, you will choose Copy a Canvas Course and then click the drop-down to find your Master Course that holds all of your great content. Choose All Content for your first import.
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Organize Apps Move apps you use most often to the top. Click your Google 9-square grid (the "waffle") and just click and drag. Very easy! Because Google is #awesome. https://tinyurl.com/yd8ujcje | New Templates New categories for Docs templates including Sales, Human Resources, and Freelancer Engagement. Know someone with a small business? Share this with them! | Google Fun! Word Search Extension Go to https://bit.ly/2JWuH4U and download the Word Search Puzzle Game extension. Find more than 12,000 words by solving theme based puzzles. Get bonus points for finding words with only their first letter revealed! |
Organize Apps
New Templates
Google Fun! Word Search Extension
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Send a MessageThe Inbox tool in your Global navigation bar allows you to send a message to all course participants or participants with a specific user role. You can also include an attachment or a media file. | Use Canvas CommonsCanvas Commons is a great place to find resources for building your own course from scratch. It is free for teachers and provides access to courses, modules, quizzes, pages, assignments, and more. Don't reinvent the wheel - search for a specific keyword, author, institution, or title and add content to your course. | Create a QuizTry adding a quiz to your course. Make it low stakes, so students get a feel for what it is like taking a quiz online. You have traditional question types to choose from, but Canvas also has matching, multiple answer, fill-in-multiple-blanks, file upload, and formula quiz questions. |
Send a Message
The Inbox tool in your Global navigation bar allows you to send a message to all course participants or participants with a specific user role. You can also include an attachment or a media file.
Use Canvas Commons
Canvas Commons is a great place to find resources for building your own course from scratch. It is free for teachers and provides access to courses, modules, quizzes, pages, assignments, and more. Don't reinvent the wheel - search for a specific keyword, author, institution, or title and add content to your course.
Create a Quiz
Try adding a quiz to your course. Make it low stakes, so students get a feel for what it is like taking a quiz online. You have traditional question types to choose from, but Canvas also has matching, multiple answer, fill-in-multiple-blanks, file upload, and formula quiz questions.
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Create Your First AssignmentAdd your assignment instructions, choose your point values, and decide on a submission type. With online submission types, you have the option of Text Entry, Website URL, Media Recordings, and File Uploads. You can even restrict the file uploads to a particular file type. Add a due date and assign it to everyone or a few individual students. | Add a DiscussionCreate a discussion thread for a problem of the week, for homework help, or a thought-provoking question. Reply to every student and recognize students who welcome each other. As an instructor, you can require students to post before they can read other replies giving the contributions more authenticity. | Annotate in SpeedGraderWhen grading that first assignment, explore the annotating tools provided in the DocViewer of Speedgrader. You can Point, Highlight, use Free Text or Free Draw, and Area Annotation. Easy ways to leave feedback for your students. |
Create Your First Assignment
Add your assignment instructions, choose your point values, and decide on a submission type. With online submission types, you have the option of Text Entry, Website URL, Media Recordings, and File Uploads. You can even restrict the file uploads to a particular file type. Add a due date and assign it to everyone or a few individual students.
Add a Discussion
Create a discussion thread for a problem of the week, for homework help, or a thought-provoking question. Reply to every student and recognize students who welcome each other. As an instructor, you can require students to post before they can read other replies giving the contributions more authenticity.
Annotate in SpeedGrader
When grading that first assignment, explore the annotating tools provided in the DocViewer of Speedgrader. You can Point, Highlight, use Free Text or Free Draw, and Area Annotation. Easy ways to leave feedback for your students.
Extension to Mention: Remote for Slides
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Gmail Nudging If you are using the new version of Gmail, then you might see a reminder to reply to an email. This is a new feature called "Nudging." Emails you might have forgotten to respond and sent emails you might need to follow up on will appear at the top of your inbox. | AddOn to BragOn: Certify'emHere's an Add-On to Brag-On: Certify'em Convert your Google Form to a quiz and have students receive certificates when they take it. Brilliant! | Google Fun! Typing "play dreidel" will spin a dreidel, landing on Nun, Gimel, He, or Shin. Do a little research on Google for why you play with a dreidel. Very interesting! |
Gmail Nudging
AddOn to BragOn: Certify'em
Here's an Add-On to Brag-On: Certify'em
Convert your Google Form to a quiz and have students receive certificates when they take it. Brilliant!
Google Fun!
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Use the CalendarBecause the calendar is a global feature, students can see all assignments and events of all enrolled courses. They can toggle course calendars in order to filter their view as well. Populate your calendar with at least quizzes and tests. | Use AnnouncementsSend announcements to students for upcoming events or other important reminders. You can even attach a file or embed a video for students to reference before a quiz or test. | Use Student ViewWhen you need a student perspective of the course, you can activate student view from the Settings link in your course navigation. You can only view the course layout as it is seen by your students. |
Use the Calendar
Because the calendar is a global feature, students can see all assignments and events of all enrolled courses. They can toggle course calendars in order to filter their view as well. Populate your calendar with at least quizzes and tests.
Use Announcements
Send announcements to students for upcoming events or other important reminders. You can even attach a file or embed a video for students to reference before a quiz or test.
Use Student View
When you need a student perspective of the course, you can activate student view from the Settings link in your course navigation. You can only view the course layout as it is seen by your students.
Google Fun! Tic Tac Toe
Collect Email Addresses
Add-On to Brag-On
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Use ModulesModules create a linear flow of what students should do in your course. You can organize content by units, grading periods, or by content type and add any of the great Canvas features such as assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc., all in the order you want students to complete them. | Add RequirementsYou can require students to complete all items in a module or choose several items to fulfill a requirement. Once all requirements are met, the module will be marked as complete and the students can move to the next module in the course. | Add PrerequisitesIf you would rather students work through all modules sequentially, you can add prerequisites for modules after adding requirements in each module. You must have at least two modules to add a prerequisite. Once a student completes all of the requirements in a previous module, the next module will unlock. Great way to keep students from skipping ahead. |
Use Modules
Modules create a linear flow of what students should do in your course. You can organize content by units, grading periods, or by content type and add any of the great Canvas features such as assignments, quizzes, discussions, etc., all in the order you want students to complete them.
Add Requirements
You can require students to complete all items in a module or choose several items to fulfill a requirement. Once all requirements are met, the module will be marked as complete and the students can move to the next module in the course.
Add Prerequisites
If you would rather students work through all modules sequentially, you can add prerequisites for modules after adding requirements in each module.
You must have at least two modules to add a prerequisite. Once a student completes all of the requirements in a previous module, the next module will unlock. Great way to keep students from skipping ahead.
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Naming Your CourseAdopting an appropriate naming convention makes it easy for students to locate courses on their dashboard. For example,
Campus Initials + Course Name + Teacher's First Initial and Last Name. If parent observer role is turned on, this makes it nice for parents of more than one child to navigate through the course list. | Add an Image to Your Course CardYou can change the colors or add an image to your Course Card on your dashboard. It will display the picture under a color overlay, but just choose a picture that will display well behind a variety of colors. | Customizing Your Course ListCustomizing your course list cleans up your dashboard and gives you access to the courses you use the most. They arrange alphabetically, but if you want a particular course in the top-left spot, you can always add 01 to the front of the title. |
Naming Your Course
Adopting an appropriate naming convention makes it easy for students to locate courses on their dashboard. For example,
Campus Initials + Course Name + Teacher's First Initial and Last Name.
If parent observer role is turned on, this makes it nice for parents of more than one child to navigate through the course list.
Add an Image to Your Course Card
You can change the colors or add an image to your Course Card on your dashboard. It will display the picture under a color overlay, but just choose a picture that will display well behind a variety of colors.
Customizing Your Course List
Customizing your course list cleans up your dashboard and gives you access to the courses you use the most. They arrange alphabetically, but if you want a particular course in the top-left spot, you can always add 01 to the front of the title.
Edpuzzle Online Professional Development
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Hide Unused Navigation LinksCanvas includes several default links for each course. Depending on your course configuration, this may be quite a few. In order to "clean up" some of the links and provide your students with what matters to you, you can hide unused links giving students a cleaner, tidier look to their course. Some good ones to keep include: Announcements, Modules, Grades, Syllabus, and Home. | Add a SyllabusThe Canvas Syllabus has two functions. It is a place to house important course information such as grading schemes, class polices, contact information, and course expectations. It also generates a chronological assignment and events list for students. | Set a Home PageCanvas has several options for home page settings. Creating a fancy, home page is nice, but not required. You can set Modules or your Syllabus as your home page, which is a good place to start. You can, however, create a nice home page with buttons and pictures for quick access to information. Do this in a Content Page and then set it as your Front Page. |
Hide Unused Navigation Links
Canvas includes several default links for each course. Depending on your course configuration, this may be quite a few. In order to "clean up" some of the links and provide your students with what matters to you, you can hide unused links giving students a cleaner, tidier look to their course. Some good ones to keep include: Announcements, Modules, Grades, Syllabus, and Home.
Add a Syllabus
The Canvas Syllabus has two functions. It is a place to house important course information such as grading schemes, class polices, contact information, and course expectations. It also generates a chronological assignment and events list for students.
Set a Home Page
Canvas has several options for home page settings. Creating a fancy, home page is nice, but not required. You can set Modules or your Syllabus as your home page, which is a good place to start. You can, however, create a nice home page with buttons and pictures for quick access to information. Do this in a Content Page and then set it as your Front Page.
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Form Notifications If you are a moderate user of forms, you are probably aware that you can collect your data in a Google Sheet. If you'd like to know when a user fills out a form, go to the Google Sheet and click Tools>Notification Rules. | Tab Search in Google Drive You can use a Tab Search to search your drive right from the Chrome Search Bar (omnibox). Just type drive.google.com and press the Tab key. You can do this with YouTube as well. Here's a demo: https://tinyurl.com/ybxg7msf | Google Fun! Solitaire Type solitaire in your Google Search Bar (your omnibox) and play! You have two choices: easy or hard. Have fun! |
Form Notifications
Tab Search in Google Drive
Google Fun! Solitaire
Google Fun! Scavenger Hunt
Google Keep Labels
UnDoing an Email in Gmail
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All Shortcuts If you want to see all keyboard shortcuts, open your Google Drive and press Ctrl + /. For Mac, press ⌘ + /. | Attachments The beauty of anything Google is it is collaborative and you can easily share documents, slides, sheets, etc. You can also attach them as pdf files in an email. Go to File>Email as attachment. | Song Maker Google Chrome has a fun song-making site. Check it out! https://tinyurl.com/y8lzcarn |
All Shortcuts
Attachments
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Update Your ProfileHaving a professional picture of you in your profile makes your students feel more comfortable and makes them feel that you are actively engaged and "present" in the course. Likewise, asking students to put a picture of themselves in the course encourages them to engage in dialogue with their peers. Go to Account> Profile | Add a Biography and Contact InformationWhile you are in your Account settings, go ahead and add a short biography and some contact information for your students. It gives you more credibility and relatability. Tell them about your teaching experience and throw in a few hobbies. Go to Account> Profile> Edit Profile | Set Your Notification PreferencesCanvas includes a set of default notification preferences you can receive. Notifications are sent as one of four delivery types: right away, daily summary, weekly summary, or don't send. They apply to all of your courses; you cannot change settings for individual courses. Go to Account> Notifications. |
Update Your Profile
Having a professional picture of you in your profile makes your students feel more comfortable and makes them feel that you are actively engaged and "present" in the course. Likewise, asking students to put a picture of themselves in the course encourages them to engage in dialogue with their peers. Go to Account> Profile
Add a Biography and Contact Information
While you are in your Account settings, go ahead and add a short biography and some contact information for your students. It gives you more credibility and relatability. Tell them about your teaching experience and throw in a few hobbies. Go to Account> Profile> Edit Profile
Set Your Notification Preferences
Canvas includes a set of default notification preferences you can receive. Notifications are sent as one of four delivery types: right away, daily summary, weekly summary, or don't send. They apply to all of your courses; you cannot change settings for individual courses. Go to Account> Notifications.
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Drop Shadows in Google Slides To add a drop shadow to text or to an image in Google Slides, click on the text or object, then click Format>Format options. Click the checkbox for drop shadow and make your adjustments to the sliders. | Google Earth Flight Simulator Go to your Google Earth desktop application and, when it loads, press CTRL + Alt + A. If you think you can do it, fly over the Statue of Liberty, take a pic and tweet it @slsjordan. Just do it! Have some fun! NOTE: This does not work on the web application. | Checkboxes in Google Sheets Love, love, love lists. Now, Google Sheets has checkboxes in the Insert menu. |
Drop Shadows in Google Slides
Google Earth Flight Simulator
NOTE: This does not work on the web application.
Checkboxes in Google Sheets
ATTENTION MATH TEACHERS! Check out the EquatIO Chrome Extension
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Font Fixin' Tip Ever need to use a font size in a Google Doc or Google Slide that isn't a choice? Like 16 pt or 20 pt font? You can! https://goo.gl/R47j3G | Need a timer? Google it! If you are in need of a timer, simply type "Set a timer for 10 minutes" and Google obliges. | Google Fun! Fun Facts Type Fun Facts in your Google search bar and see what happens. Just do it! Then do it again. Have some fun! |
Font Fixin' Tip
Need a timer? Google it!
Google Fun! Fun Facts
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Templates When opening a Doc from Drive, you have a choice between a "Blank Document" or "From a Template". Click From a Template to see anything from resumes, letters, meeting notes, newsletters, and more. | Explore Tool The Explore tool helps you search the web and your own Google Drive from inside your doc. Google will add a footnote to your document when you hover over a web result and click the quotation marks that appear. | Google Fun! Super Mario Bros Type Super Mario Bros in the Google search box. Click the flashing box to make the coin collect chime ring out. Just do it! Have a little fun. |
Templates
Explore Tool
Google Fun! Super Mario Bros
Tech APPetizer: GooseChase
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Reopen Closed TabsEver accidentally close a tab and want to reopen it? You can! Just use the following: Ctrl + Shift + T You can also right-click in the top bar and choose "Reopen closed tab." | Sharing Notes Google Keep is one of my absolute FAVORITE things. You can share notes with family members to create a central grocery list or share quick notes with colleaguesin meetings. Just click the collaborator icon and add the email. | Google Fun! Google Guitar Click here: https://goo.gl/pmqCd Make sure to enable flash. Have fun! Just do it! |
Reopen Closed Tabs
Ever accidentally close a tab and want to reopen it? You can! Just use the following:
Ctrl + Shift + T
You can also right-click in the top bar and choose "Reopen closed tab."
Sharing Notes
Google Fun! Google Guitar
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Voice Typing in Google Docs To use this feature, go to "Tools" in Google Docs and then click "Voice Typing." | Personal Dictionary You can add words to your personal dictionary that are noted as misspelled. For example, my name! StephEnie Go to Tools, then Spelling, and then click Personal Dictionary. | Google Fun! Internet Down? If you don't want to wait to try this when the internet is down, turn your device on airplane mode. Then, go to the Google home page and try to search. When you get the "no internet connection" message, click the space bar. Have fun! |
Voice Typing in Google Docs
Personal Dictionary
Google Fun! Internet Down?
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Keyboard Short-CutsKeyboard shortcuts you should try now: CTRL+Z = undo CTRL+X = cut CTRL+C = copy CTRL+V = paste | Search Tip - Filetype:pdfYou can search in Google and ask it to produce specific results. A search would look like this: gamification in mathematics education filetype:pdf . This way, your results are in pdf form. | Google Fun! Zerg Rush Type "zerg rush" in your Google search box (omnibox). Just do it! |
Keyboard Short-Cuts
Keyboard shortcuts you should try now:
CTRL+Z = undo
CTRL+X = cut
CTRL+C = copy
CTRL+V = paste
Search Tip - Filetype:pdf
You can search in Google and ask it to produce specific results. A search would look like this:
gamification in mathematics education filetype:pdf .
This way, your results are in pdf form.
Google Fun! Zerg Rush
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Image Lookup Go to images.google.com and click the camera icon in the search bar. You can upload a picture and search for similar image results. You can also find pictures that are labeled for reuse by clicking Tools>Usage Rights. | Suggesting Mode To make suggested edits in a Google Doc, you can change from "editing mode" to "suggesting mode." Click View>Mode>Suggesting. Highlight text you want to suggest changes and start typing. Old text will be shown with a strike-through. | Google Fun: Google Gravity Click this link and watch what happens! Just do it! |
Image Lookup
Suggesting Mode
EXTENSION TO MENTION: Google Scholar Button
ELA ALERT! Evry-Day Edit
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Table of ContentsLong Google Docs could benefit from a Table of Contents. The trick is to make sure your heading is formatted as "Heading 1." Highlight, click Format>Paragraph styles>Heading 1>Apply When you're ready, Insert>Table of Contents | Search TipTo exclude certain terms or websites from coming up in your search, use the minus sign. For example, if you want to search about jaguars (the animal), you can exclude anything about the NFL or cars. Type: jaguars -NFL -football -cars -site:jaguars.com | Google Fun Type Play Pacman in the Google Search. Just do it! |
Table of Contents
Long Google Docs could benefit from a Table of Contents. The trick is to make sure your heading is formatted as "Heading 1." Highlight, click Format>Paragraph styles>Heading 1>Apply When you're ready, Insert>Table of Contents
Search Tip
To exclude certain terms or websites from coming up in your search, use the minus sign. For example, if you want to search about jaguars (the animal), you can exclude anything about the NFL or cars.
Type: jaguars -NFL -football -cars -site:jaguars.com
Google Fun
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Secret File Search I'm always saying that I will finally get time to organize my Google Drive. Until that happens, I found a way to search for those long, lost files. Click the drop-down arrow at the far-right of your search bar. This drop-down menu gives ways to narrow your search: by file type, by a date-range, by owner, by location, and more. Here is a quick screen-cast. | Conditional Formatting Conditional formatting enables you to see, at a glance, if someone has not made a minimum passing score. In the spreadsheet, choose Format>Conditional Formatting. Then change the Format cells if... to Less Than and then enter 70 in the box below. You can change the default color and then choose your cell range. Done! Here is a quick screen-cast. | Do a Barrel Roll Type Do a Barrel Roll in the Google Search box. Just do it. |
Secret File Search
Conditional Formatting
Do a Barrel Roll
Three Productivity Apps To Try
I had my daughter add the Forrest app to her phone and I am rewarding her for trees planted. You plant a seed for a minimum of 10 minutes. If you leave the Forrest app, your tree will die. She told me the other night she planted a 30 minute tree, went and did her work (laundry, shower, etc) and came back noticing she still had 10 minutes left. Instead of "killing" her tree, she practiced piano. WIN FOR FORREST APP.
StayFocusd is a Google Chrome extension that restricts time on frivolous, time-wasting websites. How many times have you gotten sucked in to the Facebook Vortex? You set an allotted time and, when your time is used up, the sites you blocked will be inaccessible for the rest of the day. You can configure this to suit your needs.
Here's a link to a cool Infographic about these tools.
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/CreateA quick and easy way to create a Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet is to type: - doc.google.com/create - slide.google.com/create - sheet.google.com/create | Sharing a Presentation If you want someone to have a copy of your presentation in its true presentation form, go to the URL and replace the word "edit" with the word "present." Share the new link. | Atari Breakout Go to Google Images and type Atari Breakout. See what happens! Have fun! |
/Create
A quick and easy way to create a Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet is to type:
- doc.google.com/create
- slide.google.com/create
- sheet.google.com/create
Sharing a Presentation
Atari Breakout
4 Extensions to Mention
2. Google Docs Quick Create
3. goo.gl URL Shortener
4. Cite This for Me
Check out the infographic for more information.
DOC Detail: Embedding GIFs into Your Google Docs
To embed GIFs, you can search for and use GIFs from giphy.com or you can make your own.
To Make Your Own GIFs:
You’ll need:
When recording your screen using Screencastify, make sure your microphone is turned off and you are not using the webcam. You’ll be recording your desktop. Record what you need and then go to Online Video Converter.
Screencastify automatically saves to your Google Drive, so you can open directly from your Drive. Open your file and then in Step 2, choose “More.” You’ll find gif at the bottom of the list. Click “Convert.” Once the video has been converted, you can save to Google Drive or Dropbox or you can download the file.
To Embed in the Google Doc:
Go to Insert>Image and find your file. Done!
To see a GIF about making a GIF click here.
(Got this great info from Mesha Daniel (@meshadaniel, Ysleta ISD, Innovative Learning Specialist) from her TCEA presentation, "The Awesomeness of Google Docs.")
Tech APPetizer: Apple Classroom
"Start, focus, or pause student work
- Launch any app, website, or book on student devices with a tap- Lock devices into a single app to help students focus
- Lock screens to pause work or refocus your class
- Mute audio on student devices
See what your students see with Screen View
- See an overview of all student screens at once
- Focus on a single student screen"
See more info on iTunes.
OneThing about OneNote, Part 5: Outlook and OneNote
Here is a step-by-step pdf.
Extension to Mention
OneThing About OneNote, Part 4 (Templates)
Extension to Mention: Noisli
From the Noisli blog: "A paper published by the Journal of Consumer Research shows that the right amount of noise, between 50-70 dB is the right level of distraction which keeps the brain active and enhances creative thinking." (blog.noisli.com 2018).
Grab the Chrome extension from the Web Store and explore. You can listen to rain, thunder, wind, coffee shop (my favorite), waves, and more. Not only that, you can add combinations of any of these as well. It's a great extension! It was recommended by my friend, Celaina Huckeba (@CHuckeba), extraordinary Social Studies Instructional Coach at Mayde Creek High School in Katy ISD.
Tech APPetizer
“We know generating explanations leads to better educational outcomes generally. When children explain events, they learn more than when just getting feedback about the accuracy of their predictions,” said Cristine H. Legare, an assistant psychology professor and the director of the Cognition, Culture, and Development Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. (edweek.org 2018)
Head over to iTunes and check it out!
OneThing about OneNote, Part 3 (Docking)
Triple E Framework
From the Triple E Website:
The Triple E framework takes this fallacy of technology as the magic bullet learning into account, and allows teachers to become critical consumers of making mindful choices around technology tools in their teaching. It is a simple framework, based on research around teaching and learning practices with technology tools. The framework is intended to help educators create lessons that allow students to use technology to meet and add value to learning goals as active, social, creative learners, in authentic ways. The framework also helps K-12 administrators evaluate the connection between potential learning outcomes and the technology they are seeing in their teacher's classrooms.
This framework is worth investigating. See more at the Triple E Framework website.
Extension to Mention: Read&Write
The read&write Chrome extension is a valuable tool to use for students with dyslexia, other learning difficulties, or anyone whose first language isn't English. Tools include predictive text, dictionary, picture dictionary, speech maker, voice to text recognition, and much more. This can be a great confidence booster for anyone who needs a little extra help with their reading and writing. But, it's also great for ALL kids.
Teachers get a FREE premium account with sign up.
Here's how to use it:
Secret Outlook Feature
We get so many emails on a daily basis, it’s easy to overlook something important. Outlook has a feature in which you can change the font, color, and size of the emails that fill your Inbox.
This is not found in the Rules tab where you might look first. This is found in the View/View Settings tab.
Here are the instructions.
OneThing about OneNote, Part 1 (To-Do Lists)
I’m on a purposeful path to paperlessness. (I’m just going to pretend that is a real word to complete the alliteration.) OneNote is a useful productivity tool and, if you are interested in pursuing this path, you can start with simply using it for a list of To-Do’s. Because OneNote syncs with all of your devices, you no longer have keep track of that pencil-and-paper list.
Here is the tutorial. Enjoy!
