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R-MC Faculty Teaching Toolkit: Canvas quick guide

Canvas Quick Guide

Creating Course Content and Using "Grades" 

We suggest the instructor include these essential elements to start with and build on them throughout the semester.

  • Add content to your Canvas course.
  • Use "Grades" tool to inform students about their learning.
  • Publish the course so that students can access it.

 

bullet (arrow)Add Content

Refer to details on how to copy content from a previous course.

New Canvas users with the Teacher role:  Please learn to use Modules to organize the content and add module items. Watch the overview (2-min video), and begin to

  • Upload a file or add an assignment as Module items: view the guide .

  • Add a website link: From the Add drop-down list, select "External URL" and paste the website's web address.

  • Learn how to add other types of item to a module, such as links to the Library database articles, a third-party integration app, and videos.

bullet (arrow)Use "Grades" to inform students of their learning progress.

  Before the semester begins, set up the Gradebook. 

  Here is the video guide for the steps below.

 

  1. Enable "Grading Scheme".

From your course Settings, in the Details tab, scroll down halfway down and check the box "Enable course grading scheme".  Enable your grading scheme according to the information you have specified in your course syllabus (For example, A = 90 to 100 points; B = 80 to 89, etc.). Refer to the tips by a college faculty member.

 

  2. Select "Manually Post Grades".

From your course navigation Grades link, click the Settings icon on the top right corner, and select Manually Post Grades. This way the grades are hidden from student view by default. When grade entry for the assignment is complete, the instructor must post the grades for student view; details in the Enter Student Grades paragraph.

 

  3. Create assignment Groups and group weights.

In Canvas, "assignment groups" are Homework, Quizzes, Short Papers, etc. If you calculate the final course grade based on weights of the assignment groups (for instance, Quizzes are worth 25%, the Midterm 25%, etc.), click the Assignments link on the course navigation and add Assignment Groups.  Learn how to weigh the final course grade based on assignment groups.

Here is the video recap (2 min.) and additional information on assignment groups, their weights and the final course grade. 

 

  4. Create a placeholder/shell for grade entry.

After you have set up the assignment groups and weights, in each group please create placeholders (also known as shells) for entering grades. Learn how to create an assignment shell in an Assignment Group.

Related:

Can students submit their assignments online in Canvas?

 

  During the semester, enter grades in the gradebook or the assignment Speedgrader.

Related:

How can I grade student assignments online?

  • Be sure you have edited and published the assignment (see #4 above).  Click on the assignment and use the SpeedGrader to give feedback and grade student submissions. Remember to post the grades to be viewed by students

bullet (arrow)Publish the course for student access.

Navigate to your Home page and enable Student View in the upper right-hand corner. Confirm that all content appears and is available to students as intended.  Change the course status to Publish on the right-hand side. The published Canvas course becomes available to students about 10 days before the semester begins. 

 

 

 

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