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Add Alert Boxes to Canvas Pages with this HTML Trick

One of the frustrating things about building pages in Canvas is the lack of functionality in the RCE (Rich Content Editor) to add “callout boxes” or other elements that separate blocks of text/media content in a simple and visually-appealing way. However, this is actually a fairly easy thing to add with some editing of the HTML. This post will show you how to add alert boxes and provide you with some code snippets to borrow for your own course.

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Navigating the End of Google Jamboard

A whiteboard displaying a collaborative activity with post-it notes.

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital tools, change is constant. Google Jamboard, a trusted  virtual collaboration tool, is bidding farewell come December 31, 2024. But fear not, for in this post, we’ll guide you through the discontinuation of Google Jamboard by introducing you to a lineup of powerful alternatives ready to pick up the slack, ensuring your collaborative endeavors stay on track. Check out the following innovative virtual whiteboarding solutions, and start deciding which ones meet your needs in an effort to make the transition from Google Jamboard a smooth one!

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8 Strategies to Amplify Student Engagement in Online Courses

Online courses have opened avenues for both students and educators. They provide flexibility, accessibility, and convenience that cater to diverse learners and busy schedules. However, among these advantages, one significant challenge often remains: fostering meaningful student engagement in the virtual classroom. The absence of face-to-face interactions and the potential for distractions can make cultivating active participation seem like a daunting task. In this blog post, we delve into the art of overcoming these obstacles.    Continue reading “8 Strategies to Amplify Student Engagement in Online Courses”

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Using Announcements in Your Online Course

Course announcements are one of the simplest and most effective ways to communicate with your class, whether you are teaching an entirely online, in-person, or a hybrid course. Particularly for online asynchronous learners, announcements offer a primary channel for regular information to be passed on from the instructor, and a significant tool for building a sense of instructor presence. In this blog post, I’ll cover some reasons you might send an announcement, a few good practices to keep in mind, and some options and tips particular to using the Announcements tool in Canvas.

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Canvas New Quizzes: Frequently Asked Questions

Since Canvas was first deployed at USask as our LMS (beginning in spring 2020), users have had access to two quiz engines for building and deploying online quizzes, called Classic Quizzes and New Quizzes. You might recall that in the past, academic support staff have generally recommended that you build your quizzes using Classic Quizzes, which was more stable and had fewer bugs and issues. 

However, due to some recent improvements with the tool, we are now updating our recommendation: If you are creating a new quiz (i.e., building something from scratch) in Canvas, we now recommend you use the New Quizzes tool instead of Classic Quizzes. 

If you’ve got questions about Canvas New Quizzes, take a look through the following New Quizzes FAQ.

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Differences Between Canvas Classic and New Quizzes

With New Quizzes now available in Canvas, you might be wondering what differences to expect compared to the previous engine of Classic Quizzes. With New Quizzes, some things are more streamlined, though these updates may change your experience in building quizzes or impact your previous workflow. 

For a complete and up-to-date list of differences, you can see the Canvas New Quizzes Feature Comparison. What follows in this article is a summary of the differences that a typical Canvas user is most likely to be impacted by.

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8 Reasons to Be Excited About Canvas New Quizzes

“New” doesn’t always mean “improved,” but with Canvas New Quizzes now available, there are a wealth of new features available and some definite improvements that will streamline common workflows for instructors who were previously using Classic Quizzes. Here are 8 reasons why you might be excited about making the move to New Quizzes!

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Elevate Your Content: Top Platforms for Free Images, Illustrations, Icons and more!

Visual content plays a vital role in capturing and retaining the attention of online audiences. Incorporating high-quality images, eye-catching illustrations, attention-grabbing icons, or captivating presentations can significantly enhance your course content, making it more visually appealing and engaging for your audience. However, finding these valuable assets can sometimes be daunting. Below is a handpicked compilation of leading platforms that provide an abundance of free content, empowering you to enhance the quality of your creative work. Get ready to unlock a world of creativity and inspiration!

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Using 2-Stage Exams in Online Courses

A 2-stage exam, also called collaborative testing, is a method where, in its traditional form, students complete 2 stages of an exam:

    1. First, an in-person exam is completed individually, and then
    2. In groups of 3 or 4, students complete a similar (or identical) exam collaboratively.

Since students have just completed stage 1 individually, stage 2 typically takes less time because students are solving the same problems again. In stage 2, students must participate in analysis, problem-solving, and discussion to come to a consensus and agree on a final solution.

2-stage exams are an interesting option for online courses, and might appeal to instructors because of their collaborative nature. This post will offer some advice on using this approach in your online course.
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