Canvas LMS For Dummies

Canvas LMS For Dummies

by Marcus Painter, Eddie Small
Released February 2022
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119828426

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Book description

Make digital learning effortless with Canvas 

The potential of digital learning is limitless. But implementing it in the real-world can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you have to learn the ins and outs of a new platform. So, why not choose a learning management system (LMS) that actually makes your life, and the lives of your students, easier? 

In Canvas For Dummies, a team of expert digital educators walks you through every important aspect of the hugely popular Canvas LMS. Written specifically for busy teachers hoping to make the most of the tools at their disposal, the book offers step-by-step instructions to design, build, and integrate a fully functional Canvas environment. From creating your first classroom home page to taking advantage of Canvas modules, you’ll learn how to use the platform to engage your students and improve their learning. 

Full of practical guidance and useful tips, this “how-to” handbook helps you: 

  • Navigate the creation of a blended learning environment and take advantage of the benefits of both in-person and online learning 
  • Manage collaborative environments and leverage Canvas modules to deliver a superior learning experience 
  • Integrate your Canvas modules with pre-existing, in-person material to create an intuitive environment 

This book is an absolute necessity for any educator or parent hoping to improve student outcomes with the powerful tools included in the Canvas LMS. 

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Beyond the Book
    5. Where to Go from Here
  5. Part 1: Getting Started with Canvas LMS
    1. Chapter 1: The Who, What, When, Where, and Why of Canvas
      1. Who Uses Canvas?
      2. What Is an LMS?
      3. When Should You Use Canvas?
      4. Where Is Canvas Used?
      5. Why Do Folks Use Canvas?
    2. Chapter 2: Shifting Your Mindset
      1. The Pandemic That Reinvented Education
      2. It’s Go Time!
      3. Helping Learners in the Digital Space
      4. Leveraging Canvas for All Learning Styles
  6. Part 2: Welcome to the Jungle
    1. Chapter 3: The Panda Primer
      1. The Lowdown on Logging In
      2. Getting Comfortable with the Canvas Dashboard
      3. The Global Navigation Menu
      4. Using the Three Dots, er, Options Menu
      5. To the Right: The Sidebar
    2. Chapter 4: Where the Magic Happens: Setting Up a Course
      1. Creating Your First Course
      2. Getting Creative with Course Tiles
      3. Updating Course Settings
      4. Looking at Learning in the Student View
      5. Validating Your Links
      6. Checking for Accessibility, Usability, and Learnability
    3. Chapter 5: Rolling in the RCE
      1. Exploring the RCE
      2. Creating a Visual Learning Experience
      3. You’re the Star! Using the Media Recorder
      4. Practicing with an Announcement
      5. Less Is More: Aesthetics and Logical Learning
    4. Chapter 6: You’ve Got Mail in Canvas Inbox
      1. Exploring the Canvas Inbox
      2. Composing a Message
      3. Considerations Regarding Communication
      4. Should You Delete or Archive?
      5. Implementing a Deliberate Communication Plan
      6. Your Secret Weapon: Using the Media Recorder
    5. Chapter 7: Using the Canvas Calendar
      1. Exploring the Canvas Calendar
      2. Adjusting Calendar Views
      3. Adding Events
      4. Adding Assignments
      5. Change Dates Here, Sync Everywhere
      6. Integrating the Canvas Calendar with Other Calendars
      7. The Power of the Calendar to Teach Life Skills
  7. Part 3: Living That Panda Life
    1. Chapter 8: Communicating the Canvas Way
      1. Creating Canvas Announcements
      2. Media Recorder: Letting Students Hear Your Voice
      3. Building Compassion and Relationships
      4. Elevating Communication with the Mobile App
    2. Chapter 9: Grazing through a Forest of Modules
      1. The Backbone of Self-Contained Learning
      2. Creating Modules
      3. Adding Content to Modules
      4. Editing Modules
      5. Pace Yourselves! Using Requirements and Prerequisites
      6. Gamifying Your Course with Badges
    3. Chapter 10: Climbing the Deliverables Tree
      1. Creating and Editing Pages
      2. Building Meaningful Discussions
      3. Designing Assignments
      4. Launching Quizzes and Question Banks
    4. Chapter 11: Grading Efficiency for Panda Naps
      1. Navigating the Gradebook
      2. The Low-Down on Canvas SpeedGrader
      3. Targeting Feedback with Laser-Focused Communication
      4. Creating Rubrics and Outcomes
  8. Part 4: Collaborating with Your Panda Pals
    1. Chapter 12: Running Wild: How to Own Student Ownership
      1. Impactful Integrations
      2. Extending Learning Beyond the Ordinary
    2. Chapter 13: Collaborating with Fellow Pandas
      1. Finding Inspiration in Canvas Commons
      2. Sharing Content in Canvas Commons
      3. Leveraging the Power of Blueprint Courses
    3. Chapter 14: Joining the Canvas User Family
      1. Exploring the Canvas Community Website
      2. Becoming a Canvas Certified Educator
      3. Connecting with Fellow Pandas
      4. The Canvascasters Podcast
  9. Part 5: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 15: Ten Canvas Facts and Figures
      1. The Canvas Community Is Huge
      2. Canvas Is Updated Frequently
      3. Canvas Uptime Is 99.99%
      4. Canvas Is Cloud-Based
      5. Canvas Is Brought to You by Instructure
      6. Canvas Has Been Adopted in 13 States
      7. Canvas Is Worldwide
      8. Canvas Is the Number One Choice in Higher Ed
      9. Canvas Offers Three Mobile Apps
      10. Canvas Loves Pandas
    2. Chapter 16: Ten Favorite Canvas Add-Ons
      1. Canvas Studio
      2. MasteryConnect
      3. Google Assignments LTI
      4. Flipgrid LTI
      5. Redirect Tool
      6. YouTube
      7. InSpace
      8. ClassCraft
      9. ePortfolios
      10. Impact by Instructure
    3. Chapter 17: Ten Productive Ways to Use the Canvas Mobile App
      1. Shift Your Mindset
      2. Set a Profile Pic
      3. Help Students Set Up Notifications
      4. Take Attendance
      5. Keep Calendar Events Up to Date
      6. Add Audio and Video Comments
      7. Send Messages
      8. Access Student View
      9. Add Files Directly to Your Course
      10. Join the Canvas Mobile Users Hub
  10. Index
  11. About the Authors
  12. Advertisement Page
  13. Connect with Dummies
  14. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Canvas LMS For Dummies
  • Author(s): Marcus Painter, Eddie Small
  • Release date: February 2022
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119828426