Canvas

• Engagement:  Built-in Canvas features such as assignments, discussion boards, quizzes, and announcements to provide multiple ways to engage your students. Plus, it can integrate external tools such as Kaltura, Annoto, Hypothesis, or Zoom to power-up student and instructor interactions. 
• Organization: Combine your files, communications, and assignments into a one-stop-shop for instructors and students to easily engage with content and each other. Because most faculty use Canvas, students taking different classes get a consistent experience going to one place for all of their courses. 
• Administration: Reduce paper clutter and easily manage student submissions with SpeedGrader.  
• Reuse: Course content can be easily copied to use during another semester and saved for later use.

Easy 

• If you are new to Canvas, learn to set up a basic Canvas course in 15 minutes by following along in this video.  
• Use the Canvas syllabus template or the template created by your school, available in Canvas.  This template will cover all information that students need and provide them with a consistent experience across classes. Make sure to add it on the Syllabus page in Canvas for students to easily access. 
• Check that all readings, PowerPoint slides, assignment directions and course materials are available on Canvas AND that you communicate where they are located in your Canvas course site.  Setting up a weekly or topical structure via Modules to keep materials organized and ensure that students can easily find the materials needed for each class session. 

Medium 

• Make Canvas course simple and easy to navigate for students. Consider making your syllabus interactive with links and visual cues such as graphics and colors to organize content. Also, align your syllabus with the modules in a topical or time-based format to help students find relevant sections and resources.  
• Increase collaboration and engagement outside of your classroom by using discussion boards or an External Tool in Canvas such as Annoto (for videos) or Hypothes.is (for readings). Such discussions allow students to connect and learn from each other as they engage with course content. 

Advanced 

• Try out additional Canvas features, highlighted in the WashU Canvas Insider.  For instance, did you know that you can mute assignment grades to keep them hidden while you grade or provide audio feedback on assignments?  
• Analyze your course analytics to improve student outcomes. Identify one metric that can help you understand student progress, such as a key assignment, response to a discussion board post, or grades at a midpoint in the semester. Use the data to then reach out to struggling students, review challenging topics, or share the progress with the class. 

Have additional ideas? Email us with your own additions to this list!