Task-based guidelines
Index
- Collaborate and Communicate
- Provide content
- Assess student work
- Provide information
- Manage tools, participants and groups
Collaborate and Communicate
I need to create an online space for students and tutors to discuss various issues of relevance to our course.
Description
A discussion area in Canvas allows site participants to read and reply to postings asynchronously – i.e. in their own time. The postings remain there until deleted, forming a useful record of 'threaded discussions' over a specific time period, for later review by all.
Examples
- Students can discuss a group project with each other, or interact with a 'guest expert' for a fixed period of time.
- Tutors can facilitate interactive discussions on subject-related topics, before or after the face-to-face tutorial.
- Administrators can compile and edit a list of Frequently Asked Questions which can be stored in the Discussions tool, without any need for interaction or response.
Solution
Create topics in the Discussions tool. Group discussions Links to an external site. are possible - if you have previously created Groups Sets and Groups in the course.
I need to allow my students to submit and peer review each other's essays in a structured area (e.g. according to tutorial groups).
Description
Peer review, either before a tutorial session, or thereafter, is a powerful way for students to share ideas and learn together.
Examples
Student submit their essays for the tutor to mark. The tutor marks the essay and submits an overall comment about it. Students then can read each others' essays and the tutor's comments.
Solution
Use the Assignments tool in Canvas, with the peer review option Links to an external site..
I need to have a dynamic 'chat' with students wherever they may be.
Description
A synchronous chat takes place in real time – i.e. participants are all signed on at the same time for an instant, text-based chat session.
Examples
Useful for real-time interaction on topical issues, e.g. election results, weather disruptions, last-minute questions to a tutor before an examination etc.
Solution
The Chat Links to an external site. tool enables real-time interaction with site participants anywhere in the world. It records the 'conversation' in an archive for later reference.
I need to allow my students or colleagues to edit web pages collaboratively.
Description
Pages of content can be created and edited in a Canvas course and shared with course participants. Everyone with the teacher or course administrator role can edit all pages. Students can only edit pages within the Groups structure, for them to do collaborate team work and share their outputs.
Examples
- Tutors and lecturers can create pages to summarise and share content with students, with links to other information or activities.
- Students can compile a growing glossary of terms or annotated summaries of their readings.
Solution
The Pages tool enables teachers to create and edit web pages in Canvas.
Our team needs to collaboratively author a document and then make the final version available to students in Canvas.
Description
Documents can be authored and edited by several different people using a workflow in SharePoint. The final approved version of the document can then be made available to students in a Canvas course.
Examples
- Lecturers or course leaders need to edit a document in turn, building upon each version until the final version is produced.
- The approved final version of the document can then be made available to students in a Canvas course. (Note: if it is a Course Handbook, it should be stored in a publicly available location and linked to from Canvas.)
- This process facilitates collaborative authoring and ensures that there is one approved master version in a central location, which can then be updated for the following year.
Solution
After you have collaboratively authored (or updated) the document in SharePoint, use the Files tool to upload the final version of the document into a Canvas course.
Provide content
I need to provide learning materials for my students to access at any time.
Description
Learning materials may be in the form of slideshows, video clips, reading materials, handouts etc.
Examples
- A Physics tutor provides model answers for students to access after they have submitted their own solutions to problems or exercises during the tutorial session.
- A lecturer links to podcasts available on the Oxford podcasts site, or other sources of open educational content.
- Medical students need to access the websites of professional organisations or related NHS guidelines on the internet.
Solutions
- Files tool: Upload any documents, files, images to the Files tool (having first created suitable folders). Use Modules to provide links to relevant files in a structured learning pathway (then hide the Files tool (Settings > Navigation) to avoid students accessing the file store directly).
- Pages tool: Create pages to provide context and build in links to uploaded files, or other relevant learning material such as Panopto Recordings, Oxford Podcasts or external web links.
I need to provide reading lists to my students.
Description
These can be compiled and saved in ORLO (Oxford Reading Lists Online). Consult the Bodleian Libraries ORLO LibGuide.
Examples
Tutors and lecturers compile reading lists for students, in conjunction with library subject specialists. The lists can be embedded in Canvas, along with other learning materials. This provides not only access to reading materials, but also ensures that scanned materials are accessible for all students.
Solution
Use the ORLO (Oxford Reading Lists Online) tool which is integrated into Canvas. The library service handles all the copyright and scanning requiremens. Contact your library specialist or orlo@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
I need to provide links to relevant websites.
Description
A very common need is to provide links for students to relevant websites, articles, or html pages located on the internet (or within Canvas).
Examples
- We have a set of pre-session and post-session readings on our website, which students need to access.
- Students need to be able to link to a departmental website, or a website of a professional association.
Solutions
- Use the Modules tool to add the desired target links within a relevant module.
- Build a page with link/s embedded within it, thus consolidating a collection of useful links onto one page and avoiding a long list of individual links in the Modules tool.
I need to provide an easily navigable and structured view of all the materials and activities in my course.
Description
Course owners can build a collection of learning materials using the Files and Pages tools; and activities using Discussions, Quizzes or Assignments. However, the teacher or course administrator view of such material (clicking on the tools directly) is not desirable or user friendly for students, who will be unlikely to know what to access or do next.
Examples
A tutor has collected many useful links and resources of interest to her students. She uploads them in an organised hierarchy of folders and files in Files. However, if students can see and access the Files tool, it will simply be a content repository for them, without any direction as to what is required.
A tutor uses the Assignments tool to collect student work. There are various assignments and activities in the course, with varying due dates across the term. And these activities need to be integrated into the flow of the course, rather than simply be in a collection of all assignments.
Solution
Use the Modules tool to create chunks of organised content and activities, for example, according to weeks or topics. Use the Page Enhancement tool to create a Home Page with dynamic links to the Modules. Then hide the direct tools from students, using Settings > Navigation.
I need to browse and embed audio or video clips from the Oxford podcasts collection.
Description
Oxford University provides an extensive collection of audio and video podcasts via the site http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk. Browse the collection and add the relevant podcast or series to your Canvas course.
Examples
A tutor knows that there are relevant podcasts in the Oxford collection in her subject discipline. She wants to make these easily and automatically available to her students via her Canvas course, for purposes of enrichment.
Solution
Create a page of content and embed links to relevant Oxford Podcasts.
Assess student work
I need to give my students a short, formative test to see if they are understanding a certain topic.
Description
Ongoing formative assessment is a good way to provide students with practice questions for them to evaluate their own progress. You can allocate points for correct answers and provide constructive diagnostic feedback.
Examples
Set up a series of short tests (quizzes) to assess student learning or identify any common misconceptions.
Solution
Use the Quiz tool in Canvas to create a series of short tests for students to take on a regular basis.
I need to have my students submit their essays electronically.
Description
Students submit their essays electronically in a Canvas course (before a stated due date), which keeps records of all the submissions in one place. The tutor marks the essays and gives feedback to each student. Students cannot see the work, feedback or marks of any other students.
Examples
Students submit weekly essays to their tutor. The tutor downloads and marks each essay, then uploads the annotated essay, assigns an overall comment, and a mark in a format of their choice (if marks – 'grades' – are required).
Solution
- Set up instructions to students in the Assignments tool where they then submit their essays before the stated due date and time. If marks are not required, you can select 'Complete/Incomplete' instead of a percentage or points.
- Use Student view to try a test submission as a test student.
- Use SpeedGrader to provide annotated feedback on the student submissions, as well as an overall comment (text, audio, video or speech-to-text modes are available).
I need to share documents via an electronic 'pigeon hole'.
Description
Instead of sending documents via email, you can use a the Files area in Canvas for sharing documents with all students, or private sharing of documents between the tutor and individual students.
Examples
- Students can upload drafts of essays and papers for initial review.
- Tutors can make individual files available only to those course participants who have received the link.
Solution
The Files tool enables the upload of files into folders that you create and manage. Individual files can have access set to 'available only with the link' and the link can then be shared with individual students. This option applies only to files and not to entire folders.
Provide information
Our team needs to collaboratively author a document and then make the final version available to students in Canvas.
Description
Documents can be authored and edited by several different people using a workflow in SharePoint. The final approved version of the document can then be made available to students in a Canvas course.
Examples
- Lecturers or course leaders need to edit a document in turn, building upon each version until the final version is produced.
- The approved final version of the document can then be made available to students in a Canvas course. (Note: if it is a Course Handbook, it should be stored in a publicly available location and linked to from Canvas.)
- This process facilitates collaborative authoring and ensures that there is one approved master version in a central location, which can then be updated for the following year.
Solution
After you have collaboratively authored (or updated) the document in SharePoint, use the Files tool to upload the final version of the document into a Canvas course.
I need to make important announcements to a particular group of people.
Description
You can set up announcements of important information, to show either immediately, or at a pre-determined date in the future.
Examples
- Tutors can advise all their students by means of one announcement, of important dates such as meetings or due dates for essays. (Due dates for essays ('assignments') will automatically appear in the course Calendar.)
- Administrators can announce changes to teaching rooms.
Solution
The Announcements tool allows one-way communication to all course participants. A copy of the announcement will be sent to the email addresses of all course participants.
I need to schedule events with a particular group of people.
Description
You can post deadlines, events, and other important dates for the participants in a Canvas course. You can also export a calendar feed from a course calendar to merge into other calendars, and subscribe to Oxford University term dates.
Examples
- Tutors can specify (recurring) dates for tutorial meetings.
- Administrators can specify dates for department events or deadlines.
Solution
The Calendar tool allows you to schedule course-specific meetings or other events. A visual representation of calendar import and export functions is provided in the Summary of Calendar tools.
I need to have students sign up electronically for pre-determined tutorial slots.
Description
You can create electronic meeting slots, for single or recurring meetings, and have students sign-up for the timeslot of their choice.
Examples
- Tutors can create tutorial slots for students to select and sign up to.
- Administrators can create time slots for departmental events.
Solution
- The Oxford Sign-up tool allows you to set up and publish meetings, tutorial slots and other events.
- There is also a generic Canvas tool called Appointment Groups, which offers similar functionality.
Manage tools, participants, groups
I need to manage access to a Canvas course.
Description
You need to decide who will have access to your course. You may need it to be a closed course, for course participants only; or it may be available to all Oxford users with a single signon account; or to internal and external Oxford Canvas users; or to the general public. By default, a Canvas course is closed, accessible by course participants only.
Examples
- You may wish course materials to be available to anyone who is interested in learning the subject (public course).
- You may wish access to the course to be tightly controlled, for example, for outreach courses that involve under-18-year-olds.
- You may wish your course to offer self-enrolment – that is, when provided with the link, people can enrol themselves as course members in order to participate in all activities.
Solution
The Settings Links to an external site. tool is the basic course management tool in Canvas, in which you can carry out a variety of management functions. Use the Course details tab and scroll down to find the Visibility field.
I need to enable or hide certain tools on the course navigation menu.
Description
As the course manager (teacher or administrator) you have full control of all the Canvas tools that you may wish to show (or hide) in your particular Canvas course.
Examples
A tutor needs to communicate with his or her students. There are various communication tools that the tutor can add to their site and make visible to students, e.g. Discussions, Announcements, Sign-up. It is advisable that other tools (e.g. Pages, Files) should be invisible to students. Instead, surface desired materials in the Modules tool according to a planned 'learning pathway'.
Solution
The Settings Links to an external site. tool is the basic course management tool in Canvas, in which you can carry out a variety of management functions. Use the Navigation tab to move desired tools to the top table (visible to students), or to the bottom table (invisible to students). Use Student view to check which tools students can see on the course navigation menu.
I need to change the order of tools on the left-hand tools menu.
Description
When you enable a tool in your course, it may appear at various places on the left-hand navigation menu. You can arrange the tools to appear in the order that you require.
Examples
- You prefer to order the tools on the left hand menu, either alphabetically, or in order of importance.
Solution
- The Settings Links to an external site. tool is the basic course management tool in Canvas, in which you can carry out a variety of management functions.
- Use Settings > Navigation to drag the visible tools (in the top table) into your preferred order – the tools in the bottom table are invisible to students.
- Use Student view to check which tools students can see on the course navigation menu, and in which order.
I need to add or remove individual course participants.
Description
As the course manager you can enrol individuals manually by entering either their Oxford SSO username, or an external email address (if they have an existing Canvas account). Course participants enjoy certain benefits over course visitors.
Examples
- A tutor has 8 tutees, and enrols them individually by name to the relevant Canvas course to support their tutorial work.
- A lecturer in Education has education students on teaching practice in various schools. Individual teachers in the schools can be added as external users, to serve as mentors.
Solution
Use People > Add People. Note that the list of course participants added in this manual way needs to be maintained by the course owner (when participants need to leave or join the course, perhaps at a later date).
I need to add a pre-defined (bulk) group of participants.
Description
Canvas has integration with the central OAK Access Management Service which includes a database of pre-defined sets of Oxford users. The course owner can browse the tree of 'Programme' or 'Unit' groups to find relevant sets of named Oxford users and enrol them in bulk to the Canvas course.
Examples
- You have 80 postgraduate students who need to have access to your Canvas course so that they will receive all Announcements. Browse for the relevant 'Programme' group and add the named students in bulk.
- All staff and students in your department require membership of a particular Canvas course. Add the 'Unit' as a participant group.
Solution
Use the Oxford Groups (Group Enrolment tool – GET). Note that the benefit of adding such sets of Oxford users is that the groups are updated systematically every day, meaning that your list of course participants is also automatically updated.
I need to create subgroups (e.g. tutorial groups) of students within my course.
Description
In Canvas you can create 'Group sets' (categories), within which you create particular 'Groups', and assign students to one or more groups. Each group will receive their own 'mini Canvas' area, in which they have full create and edit rights regarding files, pages and discussions. The purpose of 'Groups' is to enable collaborative team work - a little like assigning students to 'breakout' rooms in an in-person situation.
Examples
- A tutor may want different groups of students to create a group project, e.g. build a glossary of terms.
- A tutor may want different groups of students to study a particular article from the literature and build a summary page, or find links to further information on the topic.
Solution
- Use People > + Group set to create the category, e.g. Research Groups, Project Groups, Field trip Groups. A tab will appear at the top of the page showing the Groups Sets.
- Use + Group to create groups within a particular Group Set.
- Click and drag student names into the required groups.
- Refer to the guidance: Understanding Groups.
I need to assign different activities to different students within a large course.
Description
In Canvas you can create Sections, and assign students to one particular section. You can then assign different discussions, quizzes, assignments and announcements to different sections. The purpose of Sections is to enable multiple tutors in one course to tutor and monitor a subset (section) of students within a large cohort. Note that it not possible to partition content in this way – it applies only to activities.
Examples
- Different tutors in a course want to assign different essay topics to their particular section of students.
- An administrator (or tutor) may need to send different announcements to different student sections.
Solution
- Use Settings > Manage Sections > +Add Section to create the sections, e.g. Tutor A; Tutor B; Tutor C.
- Click and drag student names into the relevant sections.
- Refer to the guidance: Understanding Sections.