Instructors who wish to begin teaching with Canvas have several options available to get started over the summer.
First, faculty and instructors should be aware of the Faculty Getting Started Guide, which provides detailed instructions for logging into your account, setting up a draft course, and other important initial steps.
The second option is available whenever you are – VT Canvas: Online Instructor Orientation is a self-paced online course that will familiarize instructors with the basic need-to-know tools and features of Canvas. The course consists of 5 modules which each take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Upon completion of the course, you can contact NLI to receive course credit. The online course is available to all VT faculty, staff, and students.
The third option is classroom-based courses, offered in a variety of locations, via NLI. You can register for all courses described below at the NLI website.
Canvas: Exploring Canvas course. This two-hour session, designed for faculty planning to teach with Canvas, begins with a demonstration of Canvas’ features, and moves into a discussion on how these features match up with what you currently use in Scholar. Users will log into their Canvas accounts, locate their draft course, and begin to explore how it can (and can’t) be used. The following dates are available:
Canvas Training in the National Capital Region. Faculty in the National Capital Region who would like to learn more about Canvas will soon be able to sign up for the following NLI Courses (registration will open soon):
- Tuesday August 4, 2015: 2 pm – 4 pm, Canvas Training in Alexandria, 1021 Prince Street, 3rd Floor Shenandoah Room
- Wednesday Aug 5, 2015: 9 am – 11 am, Canvas Training in Falls Church (NVC), NVC Room 207
- Wednesday Aug 5, 2015: 12pm- 2 pm, Canvas Training in Falls Church (NVC), NVC Room 207
In addition, lynda.com offers an Up and Running with Canvas tutorial that further explains how to create assignments and quizzes, use the calendar, add rubrics and learning outcomes, build test question banks, communicate with students, and streamline the grading process with SpeedGrader.
Of course, this is only the tip of the Canvas training iceberg. During Blitz Weeks (August 17-28), TLOS will offer two classes each day (schedule to be announced). Training opportunities will also continue with more hands-on instruction offered throughout the fall semester and into spring. There is a lot of interest and excitement around the move to Canvas, but there’s no need to rush into using Canvas this fall semester – Scholar will remain available and fully supported until spring 2017. We are confident that as you explore Canvas, though, you’re going to want to make the switch sooner rather than later.
For questions regarding the training, contact Aaron Bond. For support or technical questions, contact 4Help – (4help.vt.edu, or 4-4357).