OK -- now what?
Before you even touch Canvas, it's a worthwhile time investment to map out (on paper) the way that you want to structure your course. If you do this BEFORE working in Canvas, you won't get distracted by the new environment from what's important -- the CONTENT of your course.
moving_to_canvas_-_paper_planning_v2.pdf | |
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What I discovered when I started working in Canvas is that there are several different types of components to work with to create and organize content in your course. Which components you use will depend on how YOU want to structure YOUR course -- here's how I thought about my own course:
- Modules: "Modules are used to organize course content by weeks, units, or whatever organizational structure works for your course. With modules, you are essentially creating a one-directional linear flow of what you would like your students to do. Each module can contain files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, and other learning materials that you would like to use. You can easily add items to your module that you have already created in the course or create new content shells within the modules. Course content can be added to multiple modules or iterated several times throughout an individual module. Modules can be easily organized using the drag and drop feature. Elements within the modules can also be reorganized by dragging and dropping." (http://guides.instructure.com)
- Pages: "Pages is where you can put in content and educational resources that are part of your course but don’t necessarily belong in an assignment or that you want to refer to in multiple assignments as well. This is a place where you can include text and video as well as links to your files. You can even make links to the other pages that you create." (http://guides.instructure.com)
- Files: "Within the Files tool, users can rename, delete, organize, and upload files. Users can also batch upload a .zip file or download entire directories as .zip files. There is no limit on the size of the file to upload, but be aware of the amount of file storage set by the institution for the course. Also, remember the folders and files are in alphabetical order and cannot be rearranged." (http://guides.instructure.com)
- Assignments: "Assignments in Canvas can be used to challenge students' understanding and help assess competency. The Assignments page will show your students all of the Assignments that will be expected of them and how many points each is worth." (http://guides.instructure.com)
- Discussions: "Canvas provides an integrated system for focused and threaded discussions which allows both instructors and students alike to start and contribute to as many discussion topics as desired. Discussions can also be created as an assignment for grading purposes (which is then seamlessly integrated with the Canvas grade book), or simply serve as a forum for topical and current events." (http://guides.instructure.com)
- Quizzes: "The quiz tool is used to create and administer online quizzes and surveys. The steps to create quiz content are the same for each quiz type." (http://guides.instructure.com)