Category Archives: Canvas

Summer 2024 Course Prep Boot Camp

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New to Canvas, or need a refresher? Looking for someone that can walk you through what Canvas can do while you prepare for Fall 2024? Now is your chance! Join us for hands-on workshops.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels

These sessions are designed for instructors looking to learn what Canvas has to offer, and how to use it. Whether you are brand new, have content ready to be moved from paper into Canvas (e.g. moving a quiz or rubric into a digital form), or a long time pro looking for reminders, we can help. This series of workshops will provide you the know how and time to complete specific tasks to get your course set up. Enroll in one, a handful, or all of them; even if it is just for a way to schedule your work time.

Getting Started

Tuesday, May 28: 10:00a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Signup

Building Your Content

Wednesday, May 29: 10:00a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Signup

Assignments and Setting Up Grades

Thursday, May 30: 10:00a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Signup

Accessories

Tuesday, June 04: 10:00a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Signup

Collaborations

Wednesday, June 05: 10:00a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Signup

Wrapping Up

Thursday, June 06: 10:00a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Signup

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Learning Technology Center. If you are interested in a consultation, please fill out our consultation form.

COMING SOON! Canvas Discussions Redesign Deployment

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In Summer 2024, Canvas Discussions will be undergoing a visual refresh and additional features as part of Instructure’s “Discussions Redesign”.  While Discussions will still function primarily in the same manner and offers all of the features currently available, additional new features will include:

  • Anonymous posting
  • @Mentions
  • Instructor tag
  • New thread viewing options

If you are interested in a brief video overview, please watch this short video from Instructure.

To prevent this change from happening while summer courses are active, UW-Whitewater will be turning on the Discussions Redesign after grades are due on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. On this date, all discussions will automatically upgrade to the redesign with no action needed from instructors.

While we recognize the best way to get use to a tool is to spend time working with it, we recommend the Instructor Guide – Discussions Redesign and Student Guide – Discussions Redesign guides for supplemental support.

Of the changes being made, the one we here on the UWW campus are most excited for is still on the horizon. This new tool will be adding “Checkpoints”, which would allow instructors to set a separate date for when an initial post needs to be made, and when the discussion is due. Sadly, this feature is not yet implemented, but stay tuned for details to come!

If you have any questions or concerns about this update, or even just curious about how it can help you, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.

Spring LTC Workshops – Register NOW! 

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Snow, ice, and blustery wind chills have you stuck inside? Learn something new with The Learning Technology Center (LTC)! Our Spring Programming is now available! If these topics or times do not fit your needs, please request a consultation with the LTC! 

Campus Technology Trainings – These trainings focus on technology specific to UW-Whitewater, suitable for those new to campus or looking for a refresher! 

TitleShort DescriptionDateTimeRegistration Link
Webex Basics for EveryoneA workshop for the academic community to master Webex for effective communication, collaboration, and document sharing.02/073 PMRegister!
04/17
Google Drive Basics for EveryoneLearn Google Drive essentials for efficient document management, real-time collaboration, and secure data handling in an academic setting.02/143 PMRegister!

Generative AI – Our spring slate of generative AI workshops are designed to support instructors, administrators, or other campus employees wherever they are on their AI journey. Our Introductory workshop is perfect for those just getting started, while our more advanced offerings on prompt writing and content creation are suitable for anyone with a strong AI interest. 

TitleShort DescriptionDateTimeRegistration Link
Introduction to Generative AIDiscover the basics, opportunities, and limitations of generative AI in education, including tools and implications for classroom use.01/2611 AMRegister!
Building Course Materials Using AIEnhance your teaching materials using AI, with hands-on experience in creating AI-enhanced educational content.01/313:15 PMRegister!
AI Detection and PreventionDive into AI and academic integrity, exploring AI text detection methods, their accuracy and ethical implications in academia.02/0611:15 AMRegister!
Teaching AI Scripting: How to Write PromptsMaster the art of AI scripting to generate effective AI outputs, fostering creativity and critical thinking in various subjects.02/1610 AMRegister!
Spotting Deepfakes: Exploring Content CredentialingEquip yourself to identify and tackle deepfakes and AI-generated misinformation, fostering critical digital literacy in students.03/133:15 PMRegister!
AI Ethics in Higher EducationExplore the ethical aspects of AI in academia, discussing bias, privacy, and its impact on academic integrity.04/1112 PMRegister!

Quality Course Improvement – This series offers educators comprehensive tools and strategies to enhance online learning effectiveness and student success.

TitleShort DescriptionDateTimeRegistration Link
Leveraging Canvas Analytics for Student RetentionLearn to use Canvas Analytics to identify at-risk students and implement retention strategies, enhancing student retention and support.02/283 PMRegister!
Time-Saving Methods for Grading and Providing Feedback in Canvas CoursesDiscover efficient grading techniques and feedback automation in Canvas to save time while providing meaningful student feedback.03/063 PMRegister!
Advanced Canvas Features for Course DesignersAdvanced workshop for seasoned course designers to master Canvas features, design interactive content, and optimize online learning experiences.04/033 PMRegister!
Enhancing the Learning Experience with MultimediaExplore how to engage students using multimedia and technology to create interactive and immersive learning experiences.04/103 PMRegister!

Canvas Trainings – Whether you are a seasoned Canvas expert or building your first course, the LTC has developed trainings for all! Join us this spring as we cover a variety of topics, from improving navigation, to grade books, to building pages. No specific questions but want to work on your course under the eye of our Canvas expert? Check out the monthly Canvas Open Labs!  

TitleShort DescriptionDate(s)TimeRegistration Link
Improving Course Navigation in CanvasThis session will talk about the best practices around setting up your course navigation, getting the most out of your Syllabus area and calendar, laying out your modules in a meaningful way, and using announcements to prepare students for each week. 01/2312 PMRegister!
Setting Up Canvas Grade BooksIn this hands-on session about setting up both points based and weighted gradebooks, we will ensure that your Assignment Groups have the same name as in your syllabus, any needed rules are applied to your Assignment Groups, and that you have a Grade Scheme that matches your syllabus.01/2512 PMRegister!
04/17
Course Design and Open LabDuring this online lab session we will be available to instructors working in Canvas, to help answer questions as they arise.01/31 2 PMRegister!
02/21
04/21
Setting Up Canvas Now, For Better Data LaterFind out what data is already available to you in Canvas, and start setting up materials so you can get even more out of future versions of your course.02/072 PMRegister!
What Students Want in CanvasThis training will focus on making a series of small, easy, and optional, shifts from your current course design to a setup backed by feedback from student panels conducted right here at UW-Whitewater.02/142 PMRegister! 
03/13
Faster Grading with Better FeedbackWe will revamp quiz questions to address student misconceptions, update rubrics for precise feedback, and explore SpeedGrader’s new Comment Library.02/282 PMRegister! 
04/10
Better Courses Through Better PagesThis synchronous training is meant as a supplement to our asynchronous, self-paced resource designed to help instructors take lengthy modules, and turn them into sleek pages.03/063 PMRegister! 
04/032 PM
Making Canvas Grades Accurate for Midterms In this workshop, we’ll focus on managing student grade concerns by aligning Canvas features with your syllabus, including setting zeros for missing work, properly weighting assignment groups, and adjusting the course’s Grade Scheme.03/202 PMRegister! 
Higher Integrity Quizzes in CanvasThis session will explore enhancing quiz integrity beyond monitoring software by using the assessment description for rules reminders, setting up timed and randomized questions, utilizing various question types to hinder answer lookups, and focusing on skill application.03/272 PMRegister! 
Making Canvas Grades Accurate for FinalsIn this workshop, we’ll focus on managing student grade concerns by aligning Canvas features with your syllabus, including setting zeros for missing work, properly weighting assignment groups, and adjusting the course’s Grade Scheme.05/012 PMRegister! 
Canvas eGradingThe eGrading process allows instructors to transfer final grades from their Canvas Gradebook directly to their WINS Grade Roster. During this training, we will go over the process, and utilize breakout rooms to look at individual gradebooks as needed.05/082 PMRegister! 
05/13

Welcome Back Workshops with the LTC!

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The August sunshine in Whitewater brings both warm days and the return to campus! The LTC is excited to welcome back our instructional community and have prepared a slew of workshop offerings to make the start of the semester seamless. 

Browse Our Training Calendar

Canvas Sessions

Whether you are building your first or last Canvas course, the LTC has training for all! *Please note the Canvas and Technology Open Lab is on the UW-Whitewater Rock County campus.

TitleDateTimeLocation
Canvas RefresherWednesday, August 23rd2 to 3 pmMcGraw 19c
Canvas Introduction Thursday, August 24th9 to 10 amMcGraw 19c
Canvas and Technology Open Lab Thursday, August 24th2 to 3 pm*UW Rock Allen Hall 03/04
Course Design and Open LabFriday, August 25th9 am to 12 pmWebex
Using Canvas as Grading FeedbackFriday, August 25th10 to 11 amMcGraw 19c
Course Design and Open LabFriday, September 1st1 to 4 pmWebex

Artificial Generative Intelligence Sessions

Explore the basics of AI and get caught up on recent updates at Introduction to Artificial Generative Intelligence on August 31st; 3 to 4:30 pm in McGraw 19A / Hybrid.

Register for Intro to AGI

Campus Technology Sessions

The goal of these sessions is to familiarize attendees with campus technology tools and support services. Please note: “Campus and Instructional Tech for Instructors” is aimed at instructors, but will cover the same content as “Campus Technology: Resources to help you succeed”. 

TitleDateTimeLocation
Campus and Instructional Tech for InstructorsMonday, August 28th 10:45 am to 12 pmMcGraw 117
Campus Technology: Resources to Help You Succeed Friday, September 1st 9 to 10 amMcGraw 19A / Hybrid 

Technology Open House

Hosted by IT Services, Technology Open House (TOH), held on Wednesday, August 30th; 1 – 4 pm in McGraw Hall, instructors, staff, and students can learn about technology tools, services, and resources designed to help everyone succeed at UW-Whitewater! Anyone who attends TOH will receive an early access pass to the next Technology Surplus Sale! Register below to be entered into the raffle drawing!

Register for TOH

Don’t see what you are looking for? Reach out directly to the LTC or request a consultation. A full list of Welcome Back Week Events can be found in the UW-Whitewater Events Calendar. 

Canvas to WINS Final Grade Submission – Spring 2023

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The Spring 2023 WINS Grades Roster is open from Wednesday May 10, through noon on Tuesday May 16. The eGrading process allows instructors to transfer final grades from their Canvas Gradebook directly to their WINS Grade Roster.

Each semester, grades need to be entered into WINS. While many instructors do this manually, Canvas can help automate some of the steps for you. The Learning Technology Center is providing training on the three steps needed to push grades from Canvas so they can be accepted in WINS.

  1. Finish grading (including entering 0s) and setting the Grade Scheme
  2. Transfer grades from Canvas to WINS
  3. Verify and accept grades in WINS

Please be mindful that any ungraded items can result in different final grades showing to Teachers, Students, and/or the Student Information System (WINS), depending on the settings used by each individual. Check here for information about ensuring Total Grades are as intended: https://kb.wisconsin.edudle/page.php?id=91483

In person support sessions on this process are also available: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17479

If you have any additional questions, please contact Canvas 24/7 Support. 

Canvas Update (Spring 2023)

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On Saturday April 15, Instructure deployed the latest release to the Canvas environment, and the final one before Summer 2023. The highlights of this release are listed below. The full release notes are also available.

  • Gradebook – Submit Assignment on Behalf of Student: instructors can submit a file upload assignment on behalf of a student in the Gradebook. The submission includes the timestamp and who submitted the assignment. Additionally, the instructor can submit multiple files at a time for a single student and submit beyond the availability date.
  • Gradebook – Sort Assignments by Excused Submissions and Unposted Grades: In the Gradebook, instructors can sort individual assignment columns and rows by excused submissions and unposted grades.
  • Equation Editor – Equilibrium Button: In the Rich Content Editor Equation Editor, an Equilibrium button is available.
  • Pages – Schedule Page Publication:  When editing an unpublished Page, instructors can set a publication date. Scheduled pages remain invisible to students until the publish date and time.

      New Quizzes Improvements: While New Quizzes has been available for several years now, many instructors still opt to use Classic Quizzes. Multiple updates have been made to improve New Quizzes, which will not be made in Classic.

      • New Quizzes – Allow Clearing of Multiple Choice Question Answers: In the New Quizzes settings, instructors can enable Allow Clearing Selection (Multiple Choice) allowing students to clear multiple choice answers.
      • New Quizzes – Fill in the Blank with Multiple Word Bank Improvements: In New Quizzes, when building a Fill in the Blank question with multiple word bank choices, distractor words display in a separate section for instructors. Also, word choices can be used more than once when Allow Word Bank Choices to be Reused is selected and duplicate answer choices are graded correctly. Additionally, for students, Fill in the Blank questions with multiple word banks display all word bank choices in the answer blank drop-down menu.
      • New Quizzes – Grade by Question in SpeedGrader: SpeedGrader supports grading one question at a time in New Quizzes. When in Grade by Question mode the question navigation bar is available and the Update score button location has been updated. Additionally, hyperlinks have been added to questions requiring manual grading
      • New Quizzes – Share Item Bank to Current Course Checkbox: When creating a new item bank in the New Quizzes Build page, instructors can share the bank to the current course. This change reduces extra steps to share an Item Bank and improves instructor workflows when building New Quizzes.

      If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, or even just curious about how they can help you, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.

      CSD / LTC Spring Accessibility Workshops

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      Designers Should Always Keep Their Users In Mind. Only Then Can You Create Truly Innovative Solutions
      Designers should always keep their users in mind! Join us for some bite-sized lunch and learn applied workshops on building more accessible classes in Canvas.

      Join us this spring for a handful of quick “lunch and learn” workshops on accessibility and making a difference in Canvas for your students’ success! These workshops are held in person in McGraw Hall 19A or via Webex. These short workshops include 20 minutes of applied learning and demonstrations followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. Please feel free to bring a lunch!

      To sign up or for more information:

      Monday, March 13 at 12:10 pm: “The Visual Syllabus: Presenting a More Accessible, Visual Approach“
      Tuesday, March 14 at 12:10 pm: “Udoit: Course Accessibility Checker Part 1“
      Monday, April 10 at 12:10 pm: “Udoit: Course Accessibility Checker Part 2“
      Tuesday, April 11 at 12:10 pm: “What is UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and Why is it Important to Everyone?“

      2023 Course Prep Boot Camp

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      Strapped for time and looking for a guiding hand on all the things you need to do to get a Canvas course up and running for Spring?  Now is your chance! Join us for hands-on workshops broken up between quick demonstrations and supported work time.

      Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels

      These sessions are designed for instructors looking to get their Spring 2023 course up and running but all faculty and staff are welcome. Come with previous content ready to be updated or moved from paper into Canvas (e.g. moving a quiz or rubric into a digital form). This series of workshops will provide you the know how and time to complete specific tasks to get your course set up. Enroll in one, a handful, or all of them; even if it is just for a way to schedule your work time.

      Getting Started

      Tuesday, January 3: Noon-1:00 p.m. | Signup

      Building Your Content

      Wednesday, January 4: Noon-1:00 p.m. | Signup

      Assignments and Setting Up Grades

      Thursday, January 5: Noon-1:00 p.m. | Signup

      Accessories

      Tuesday, January 10: Noon-1:00 p.m. | Signup

      Collaborations

      Wednesday, January 11: Noon-1:00 p.m. | Signup

      Wrapping Up

      Thursday, January 12: Noon-1:00 p.m. | Signup

      Self-Paced Online and Blended Teaching Institute

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      The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is pleased to announce registration is now available for a self-paced asynchronous version of our Online and Blended Teaching Institute (OBTI) for Spring 2023.

      OBTI aligns quality Canvas course design with best practices for teaching in a variety of modalities.  Upon completion of OBTI, faculty and instructors will be well-prepared to design and develop their own courses, prepared with tips to continue the iterative process for future academic terms. This course is most useful for people thinking about teaching in the summer or fall.

      Online and Blended Teaching Institute
      Online and Blended Teaching Institute now available in a self-paced format.

      The Online and Blended Teaching Institute offers an independent, online, self-paced experience combined with full support and contact with the Learning Technology Center.  It showcases the work of Whitewater instructors and staff, allowing participants an opportunity to explore what has worked for their colleagues.   After an initial consultation, participants will complete a series of short online assignments, be provided a sandbox to design content, and develop objectives and activities to serve as an exemplar module.  This course will take an estimated 30 hours to complete during the Spring semester.

      For more information or to enroll in this exciting training, contact Ted Witt at wittt@uww.edu. 

      Canvas Update (11/19/2023)

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      On Saturday November 19, Instructure will deploy the latest release to the Canvas environment. The highlights of this release are listed below. The full release notes are also available.

      • Outcomes – Outcome Alignment Summary Tab:  Instructors can quickly view a summary of alignments to the Outcomes in their course. Additionally, instructors can use a filter to view all Outcomes, view only those with alignments or those without alignments. 
      • Pages – Schedule Page Publication: The Schedule Page Publication default status has been updated. Instructors can delay pages for publication on a specific date and time. Scheduled pages remain invisible to students until the publish date and time.
      • SpeedGrader – Multi-File Submission Display as Single Submission for Third Party Tools: When using third-party tools to upload assignments, multiple files submitted together will display as a single submission in Speedgrader. This update allows instructors to view submissions with multiple files together in SpeedGrader.

      If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, or even just curious about how they can help you, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.