Faculty Toolkit
Leveraging Canvas
USF's learning management system (LMS), Canvas, offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you engage with students, organize and deliver course materials, create and share presentation content, and assess student learning. The following six actionable steps provide a practical roadmap for getting started and making the most of Canvas.
- For additional information, just-in-time training and workshops, visit our USF Digital Learning Resources.
- We know you may have questions along the way and you can connect live with one of our experts (via Teams) through our Digital Learning Live Support (M - F | 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m.) or email facultysupport@usf.edu.
Step 1: Canvas Access, Syllabus & Minimum Technology Requirements
All courses at USF have an associated Canvas course site. If you are listed as the instructor of record in Banner, you automatically have access to the course shell and your students are automatically populated within this course site.
- All instructors are required to use Simple Syllabus. For more information, please visit the following pages:
- Download the Canvas Mobile App for Instructors
- Verify that you have the IT recommended minimum technology requirements. Acquire devices such as a microphone and/or webcam, which will expand your options in leveraging Canvas.
- Bookmark the Canvas Basics Guide and use it as a reference. Additionally, we recommend enrolling in our fully online, self-paced Canvas Basics workshop.
Step 2: Establishing Communication
Establish a communication plan with your students now. Canvas offers a number of communication tools to ensure that you maintain a connection with your students. Important: To ensure you and your students do not miss important messages, it is recommended that you clearly establish specific channels for all course-related communication. The following are some recommendations.
- Post an announcement for your students.
- Familiarize yourself with and utilize the Canvas inbox.
- Set up your Canvas notification preferences (and alert students to do the same).
- Create a virtual Teams session for office hours or individual meetings with students using Microsoft Teams. For additional information on Teams, see "Step 4" below.
- Encourage your students to sign up for the USF Safe App to receive emergency notifications to their cell phones via text message.
Step 3: Organizing Your Materials
Using Canvas you can structure your course content in a clear, organized manner. Learning objectives from your in-class sessions should guide your online content. A simple "Read/View/Do" format is a good place to start.
- The best way to organize your course content is by creating Canvas Modules, which provide a flexible and intuitive way to present materials by week or other designated time periods.
- Familiarize yourself with contact hours within the online environment.
Step 4: Delivering Your Content
The following table provides a summary of recommended content development and delivery solutions.
| Content Delivery Strategies | Short-Term Solutions |
|---|---|
| Adding text-based information (files, articles, links) |
|
| Record a video/audio presentation |
|
| Create, facilitate, and record a Teams session |
|
Step 5: Interacting with Your Students
Fostering a sense of connection between students, the instructor, and the learning community is essential. If your course relies on traditional classroom-based discussions, Canvas Discussion Boards and student group tools provide an effective way to continue those conversations through an online delivery format.
- Discussions
- How to create a graded or ungraded Canvas Discussion Forum
- How to setup Discussion Checkpoints for multiple due dates
- Student Groups
- An overview of Canvas Student Groups
- How to add students to groups
- Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Teams offers a variety of integrated tools to optimize interaction including, Breakout Rooms, Channels, Whiteboard, and a Class Notebook. Visit our Teams page for details on each.
Step 6: Assessing Student Learning
Canvas supports online quizzes and assignment submissions, providing flexible options for creating and managing assessments. The following resources will help you transition your assessments to Canvas:
- Assignments - Use the Canvas Assignments tool when you need students to submit a paper, PowerPoint presentation, or any other type of file for your review, feedback, and grading.
-
- How to create a Canvas Assignment
- Edit or add details in a Canvas Assignment
- Provide feedback to your students using Canvas Message Students Who
- Quizzes – Use the Canvas quiz tool to create online tests and quizzes. It allows various questions types including multiple choice, short answer, essay, matching, and more.
- Assignment adjustments
- Grades – The Canvas gradebook is where you will post grades and provide assignment feedback to your students. How to use the Canvas Gradebook.
- Academic Integrity
- Plagiarim detection - Instructors can use TurnItIn for plagiarism detection to
- Respondus LockDown Browser – Provides instructors with a secure testing environment
within Canvas by restricting access to external applications, websites, and resources
during online assessments.