About the Canvas Workshop Series
Open to UWM Faculty, Instructional Academic Staff, and Graduate Teaching Assistants.
The Canvas Workshop Series is a sequence of nine workshops that provide practical pedagogical recommendations and technical training for using Canvas.
Each 60- to 90-minute online synchronous workshop focuses on how to effectively use one or more specific teaching and learning tools in Canvas.
Although these workshops do not include time for hands-on application by participants, facilitators will provide a walkthrough and supporting documentation so that attendees can later practice in a Canvas course site, and facilitators will be available after the workshop to answer questions from participants. All sessions will be recorded.
The nine workshops offered in this series are:
Canvas 1: Navigation and Settings
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Comprehending Canvas’ organization
- Accessing Canvas’ Account settings
- Utilizing the Canvas Dashboard, especially the course cards, “To Do” and “Coming Up” lists
- Using the Courses menu and All Courses page
- Setting up and accessing content and appointments with the Canvas Calendar
- Sending and receiving communication with the Canvas Inbox
- Locating the best help resources, including chat, hotlines, and the Canvas Community
- Understanding the basic structure of a Canvas Course.
Canvas 2: Modules and Analytics
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Determining the best organization for a Canvas course
- Setting up or copying a course
- Understanding course settings
- Administering a usable course navigation bar
- Developing course modules and modular design
- Utilizing module settings such as requirements and locks
- Using course analytics to facilitate student success
Canvas 3: Assignments and Rubrics
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Configuring Assignment Details
- Determining which Assignment Type Is Right for You (or something)
- Setting Up and Managing Peer Review Assignments
- Using the Attendance/Roll Call Tool
- Creating Rubrics
- Adding Rubrics to Assignments and Discussions
- Using Rubrics to grade and SpeedGrader
Canvas 4: Gradebook
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Identifying Gradebook Icons
- Applying Grade Posting Policies
- Understanding Weighted vs. Non-Weighted Gradebook
- Creating Assignment Groups
- Displaying Assignment Points vs. Percent
- Dropping the Lowest Score
- Offering Extra Credit options
- Using the Gradebook for Communication
Canvas 5: Syllabus and Pages
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Using the Rich Content Editor
- Exploring the benefits of Pages
- Adding Pages to Modules on Home
- Creating accessible Pages
- Designing for the Immersive Reader
- Identifying accessible course documents
- Embedding YouTube and borrowed video content
- Linking to library articles and resources
- Leveraging the benefits of the Canvas Syllabus tool
- Using open license materials for copyright considerations
- Displaying images using the Rich Content Editor
Canvas 6: Content Delivery
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Understanding the advantages of asynchronous content delivery
- Choosing the best delivery medium for the pedagogical purpose
- Exploring Open Textbooks and Open Educational Resources
- Linking to library video and audio resources
- Posting a webcam recording to Canvas Announcements
- Creating a narrated PowerPoint for delivery in Canvas
- Using My Media to deliver video and audio materials
- Adding in-video quiz questions to course content
- Designing for access with the My Media automated captioning tool
Canvas 7: Discussions and Groups
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Overview of Canvas discussions and Canvas group sites
- Structuring asynchronous online discussions to maximize student engagement
- How-to steps for creating student groups in Canvas
- How-to steps for creating a Canvas online discussion
- Navigating Canvas group sites
- Grading discussion posts efficiently
- Key features of a Canvas group assignment
Canvas 8: Quizzes and Surveys
Topics addressed in this workshop include:
- Writing effective multiple-choice questions
- Setting up a Classic Quiz in Canvas
- Setting up surveys in Canvas
- Maintaining academic integrity in quizzes and exams
- Creating multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions in Canvas
- Using quiz banks to develop random pools of questions
- Providing student accommodations for quizzes in Canvas
- Viewing student quiz and survey results
Canvas 9: Teaching with Zoom
This workshop focuses on how to set up and facilitate synchronous online meetings using Zoom. By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:
- Set up Zoom meetings in Canvas
- Configure Zoom settings
- Download the Zoom app
- Invite guests to present in Zoom
- Set up audio and video
- Share a presentation, application, files, and the desktop
- Create polls ahead of a session
- Create and conduct polls during a session
- Facilitate breakout rooms for small group discussion
- Manage participant permissions
- Record and access recorded sessions
Participants do not need to complete the workshops in order.