We had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Elaine Wong, Visiting Assistant Professor teaching Linguistics and other classes, and learn more about how she is using Canvas. Here is an overview of her experience with Canvas and integrated features such as Speedgrader and the rubric tool, as well as some valuable tips to enhance Canvas' efficiency.
One of the key benefits of Canvas is the ability to seamlessly embed videos into course content, enhancing the learning experience with multimedia resources. Instructors can also share modules and content with other instructors. It's noteworthy that Canvas lacks delivery notifications when sharing files between instructors, so we recommend alternative communication methods. Additionally, Canvas allows for translating Word documents into interactive quizzes, creating engaging assessments that align with the course objectives, ultimately enhancing the learning process.
Canvas does come with minor differences from the previous LMS. One difference Dr. Wong mentions is that modules within Canvas do not open a new browser tab by default. A helpful tip is to right-click on the module and select "Open in a new tab" for a smoother navigation experience. Dr. Wong also learned that when importing syllabi into Canvas, the formatting needs to be corrected. A suggestion is to embed a syllabus in the syllabus section or on a Canvas page via the Google Drive tool in Canvas; since the changes are made through the Google doc, this ensures the formatting remains consistent.
Canvas also provides excellent grading tools through Speedgrader and the use of rubrics. The rubric feature, in particular, is beneficial for assignments and ultimately saves time in the grading process. Dr.Wong shares a tip: remember to save after updating the rubric. By displaying rubric information within assignments, Canvas enhances clarity for both instructors and students. Dr.Wong shares that although building rubrics may initially be time-consuming, the long-term time savings and grading consistency make it worthwhile.
What's particularly likable about Quizzes is its ability to provide students with immediate results, allowing faculty to control the number of attempts students can make, with unlimited attempts set as the default. This instant feedback is well-received by students, with instructors like Dr. Wong utilizing the results to adapt their teaching strategies for subsequent classes. Immediate feedback encourages students to learn from their mistakes and enables faculty to support students who may require assistance. Quizzes as assignments provide students an informal means to practice learning objectives, resulting in improved final scores and more intentional student engagement during class. Quizzes are excellent for questions with definite answers. Yet, it has some restrictions, like some questions may require restructuring to provide the desired results, and it does not accommodate the assessment of essays. However, this is where you can use Speedgrader, which allows you to grade short answers and essays. The platform does offer valuable analytics for attempts and grades, enhancing the learning experience.
To make the most of Canvas and its features, Dr. Wong advises meeting with the ITS instructional designers to gain a deeper understanding of how Speedgrader works, the quiz structure, and its limitations. She also encourages faculty to do hands-on testing and experimentation to become familiar with the platform.
If you're interested in trying Quizzes or scheduling a one-on-one meeting with our instructional designer to explore how they can enhance your Canvas experience, please don't hesitate to reach us at academictechnology@trinity.edu.