Monthly Archives: January 2021

Using MEETS in Canvas

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‘Meeting up’ might look a little different this year . . .

        Use MEETS in Canvas to attend and manage your online meeting spaces . . .             All your class meetings in Canvas, all in one place!

Same, same, but different: USask roommates take a needed coffee break. – Photo by B. D. W. Kristoff, CC by 2.0

Brette D. W. Kristoff, Graduate Student – Communications Specialist, GMCTL, January 26th, 2021

What is MEETS?

Canvas uses MEETS to host and manage WebEx virtual classrooms and online meeting spaces. 

    • Canvas course lectures may be hosted and scheduled through the MEETS tool in Canvas.
    • Join events in MEETS for video conferencing or for scheduling meetings with your instructors.  

Here are a few other things we think you should know about using MEETS with Canvas:

  • The first time you use MEETS you may be prompted to install:
    • WebEx Desktop App or Desktop Extension/Add-on for your browser
    • Install the Webex app for your mobile device. 

Tip!  Google Chrome seems to be the quickest for using/installing the add-on. Make you do this before your first scheduled MEET. 

How do I attend a scheduled session?

  1. Once you’ve logged into your Canvas Course, the MEETS tab is accessible from your Course menu.
  2. Upcoming sessions will be listed under the Event Calendar tab at the top of the screen.
  3. Under Events, select the event titled in blue font, and click the orange Join button, just before the event/meeting/class starts.

Sign-up for Office Hours/One-on-One Appointments:

Book Appointments with your instructors or view office hour availability using MEETS:

1. Select Appointment Booking.            2. Choose “Book appointment with” from the drop down menu if there are multiple instructors in your course.

3. Select a time slot marked “Available.”

4. Next, fill in the necessary information to Reserve Appointment. Best to add your name into the Appointment Topic text box.

5. You will then receive an email confirmation. When it’s time for your appointment, click Join under Events in your MEETS page. The appointment is exclusive to you and no other student has access to join the appointment during the time slot.

Accessing Recorded Sessions: 

  • Access previously recorded sessions from the Event Recordings tab on your MEETS homepage: 
  • Here you’ll find a list of recorded content. Select View Recordings to watch. You can stream or download the recordings.

We’d like to thank Carmen Harder, ICT Support Services, Training Specialist for her help in writing this blog!

For more support options with Canvas, see the USask Student Canvas page.

We acknowledge that the University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. 

Planning your Term with Canvas: Getting Started

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An icy view, somewhere in Saskatoon. Photo by Marina Moreland, CC by 2.0

Brette D. W. Kristoff, Graduate Student – Communications Specialist, GMCTL, January 20th, 2021

Here are some ways to stay on track from the beginning of term.

Using your Canvas Calendar

View your Canvas Calendar from your Global Navigation menu:

  • Each calendar view will list your upcoming due dates and assignments (as soon as your instructor updates or adds content to the course schedule). 
  • View the calendar in Week, Month, or Agenda format by using the selection menu in the navigation bar. Add Calendar items as they come up throughout the term.

  • Ensure all calendars for all your classes are selected – meaning the coloured box is showing next to each class title, so all due dates/events show in your Calendar
  • Take some time to view your calendar and make note of upcoming To-Do’s and assignments. Stay on top and on track by making regular check-ins with your Canvas Calendar.

Ways to Contact Your Instructor in Canvas

There are two main ways to contact your instructor in Canvas:

1. Send a message through your Inbox

  • Your Canvas Inbox is a messaging tool (instead of email) used to communicate within a specific course, to an individual student or instructor, or to a group of students. 
  • Open your Canvas Inbox from your Global Navigation Menu. 
  • Select the drop down menu to choose your course and instructor you wish to message. 
  • Filter your messages by Inbox, Unread, Starred, Sent, Archived, or view Submission Comments. 
  • Your Canvas Inbox allows for simple and private space for conversations with your instructors and peers. Remember to always start any online communication with a formal greeting and goodbye; use proper spelling and grammar; and remember to clearly state your objective/question. 

2. Use the Help option to Ask Your Instructor a Question. 

  • Locate your Help tab at the bottom of your Global Navigation Menu and select the appropriate course and instructor.
  • Check out the other Help resources linked in the Help menu.

Other Student Resources

  • As a USask student you have access to free online Student Learning Services  including academic writing resources, math & stats helps, and other tutoring services.
  • For more support options with Canvas, see the USask Student Canvas page.

We acknowledge that the University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. 

A new year.

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Hello 2021. Thank goodness you’re here.

Brette D. W. Kristoff, Graduate Student – Communications Specialist, GMCTL, January 11th, 2021

A new year, a new term, a fresh start. 

Canvas is our new Usask learning management system (LMS). Over the last two years, USask has been on track to phase out the old system, Blackboard, and replace it with the much more efficient and user-friendly system, Canvas. 

We know change is difficult, so we’ve created the Canvas Tips for Students blog to help students get to know Canvas and learn some useful info to use this new learning management system. 

Remote learning isn’t easy, but Canvas has some pretty cool features that will help simplify learning at home. My favourite things about Canvas’ user-friendly interface so far, are:

Stay tuned in coming weeks for more Canvas Tips or browse our archived posts.  Happy Studying!

We acknowledge that the University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.

For more support options with Canvas, see the USask Student Canvas page.