Canvas
Why are we changing LMS systems?
Blackboard Original is set to be retired soon and the new product (Blackboard Ultra) is not adequate for the needs of Valpo faculty and students.
Why Canvas?
Canvas is the number one Learning Management System in North America and provides superior service and functionality. Their forward-thinking model of supporting teaching and learning will serve Valpo well into the future.
Canvas Support Resources
CITAL and Canvas provide faculty support for using the links below:
See What Your Colleagues Are Saying About Canvas
In the past my students have struggled to understand weighted grades, so they really love the ‘What If?’ feature in Canvas that lets them see what their grade in the course would be if they got a different score on a given assignment.
Abbie Thompson, Psychology
My students can use Canvas Studio to post demonstration videos of their homework, such as coding assignments, and they can comment (by text or video) on other students’ videos as well. All they need is a webcam.
Sonja Streuber, CIS
I can lock progress in a module until students satisfy certain requirements. Students can go through a checklist of training as they become certified in the 3D Printing Lab.
Jesse Sestito, ME
I like how user-friendly the Modules are. Once I create a Module for a given week, all I have to do is hit the ‘+’ sign and I can create an assignment, upload a file, or attach a link directly from that Module.
Natalie Krivas, English
The Student View that appears on every page helps me identify any problems, such as when I forgot to indicate ‘file upload’ for an assignment or forgot to publish an entire module.
Stacy Maugans, Music
The People tab (on the main menu) has made it much easier to set up peer review groups; each group has access to their own separate web page, including a private discussion board.
Scott Guffey, VUE
10 Reasons To Switch To Canvas Now
Calendar
The Canvas calendar allows you to drop & drag items (changing their due dates globally). There is also the ability to create appointments for students to sign up through the calendar.
Speed Grader
The Speed Grader is a fast way to view, grade, and provide feedback to students using rubrics, annotations, attachments, speech to text, or video comments.
Course Links
Faculty are no longer limited to one course link per announcement. Canvas allows hyperlinking to any course content from any page or announcement to modules, pages, assignments, or quizzes.
To Do List
The To Do List in Canvas provides instructors with a direct link to the Speed Grader for assignments that have been submitted and need to be graded.
Modules
Canvas Modules allow you to create headings, indent pages, assignments, and quizzes that can be arranged via drop and drag.
Mobile App
The Canvas Mobile App allows you to quickly send announcements, review your inbox or even grade on the go.
Studio
Studio is a video curation tool that allows faculty to create, import, or assign videos to students using customized playlists. Students can also be required to create and submit videos using Studio.
24/7 Support
Canvas support is available 24/7 via chat, email, or phone for all faculty and students. This will work seamlessly with CITAL’s continued support of faculty.
Students not Reading Your Emails?
Canvas sends messages to students via email, the Canvas mobile app, and SMS/Text (optional) without using text yourself.
Enhanced Groups
Students have more flexibility in group work. They can send announcements to group members, start discussions, add files, or create Google documents for collaborations. Instructors can also see and interact with groups.
Additional Canvas Support Links
Thank you for your patience and support as we usher in this exciting new technology for faculty and students. If you have any questions, please reach out to cital@valpo.edu.