An update coming to Canvas on Feb. 20th should be of interest to anybody involved in courses that use mathematical or chemical expressions, equations, and formulae. The update will enable MathJax, a JavaScript display engine that works in all modern browsers and was designed with the goal of creating a single, comprehensive, math-on-the-web platform. Continue reading “Writing Mathematical Expressions in Canvas Using LaTeX”
Redirect Tool App in Canvas
DEU often uses platforms like WordPress, Pressbooks and other content management systems for building learning technology functions beyond the capabilities of a standard LMS. We tend to think of the LMS as a central learning hub where students can branch out from to access pockets of content across the world wide web. However, once unleashed into the vast sea of the internet students can, at times, lose focus and be set adrift. It would be nice if we could “wrap” these outside websites, news channels, homework systems etc. inside of Canvas in order to keep students within the walls of the LMS and on task. The Redirect Tool does just that, and we’ll show you how. Continue reading “Redirect Tool App in Canvas”
DEU EdTech Quick Tips – Issue 19
In this Issue: Making week one work well
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- Communicating remotely with your students
- Student developed online learning guide
- Creating a class intro video that expresses care for your students
- Feeling overwhelmed with the transition to remote learning?
- Wellness Supports and Services
- DEU support and contact information
7 Things You Should Know About Canvas Commons
This topic does not appear in the EDUCAUSE series, but we think the format is useful so have applied it here… see more from the 7 Things You Should Know about series for other Ed Tech related themes and tools at EDUCAUSE.
Scenario
Jamie Andarson is teaching an online introductory course next term using Canvas. They have prepared most of their syllabus, selected articles and other readings, and have most of the assignments outlined but not detailed. They are still looking to fill some gaps in their course, so they reach out to their education specialist to go over their course plan. Ezra Eban, the educationalist, suggests they search Canvas Commons to see if there are any Open Educational Resources – freely accessible, openly licensed text, media, and other digital assets that are useful for teaching – that would work for the course.
Jamie and Ezra find some rich content that fits nicely with the third week’s theme, an assignment that is actually very close to the one Jamie had in mind, but unfortunately no quizzes that would work for this course. Using the import from Commons feature, they copy the content into their course and place it within the week three module. Next, they imported the assignment and began editing it. They added details that were specific to the University of Saskatchewan, and also added a rubric for grading and feedback purposes. Finally, together they created some quizzes intended for practice for students prior to the midterms and final exam.
Ezra mentioned to Jamie that with Canvas Commons you can also submit your course materials for others to use. They consider the license on the original assignment, choose a new Creative Commons license for the updated assignment and share it back to Canvas Commons. They also look through the quizzes and decide on another Creative Commons license, and share it to Commons for the rest of their department to use. Continue reading “7 Things You Should Know About Canvas Commons”
DEU EdTech Quick Tips – Issue 17
In this Issue: Student Resources for Remote Learning
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- Remember, your students are new to Remote Learning
- Everyone is new to Canvas: Student resources
- New to “Campus” life
- Prepare yourself to help your new remote students
- DEU support and contact information
DEU EdTech Quick Tips – Issue 15
In this Issue: Offline Activities for Online Classes
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- Did you know… Not everything has to be done at the computer?
- How-To: Learn where you are with Place-Based Education
- Dig Deeper: Experiential learning and Riipen
- DEU support and contact information
DEU EdTech Quick Tips – Issue 10
In this Issue: Asynchronous Learning Modules
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- Do you know…How asynchronous modules help remote students learn?
- How much should I assign? – Estimating workload in asynchronous classes
- Tips for creating asynchronous lecture videos
- Training opportunitites for asynchronous delivery strategies
- DEU support and contact information
Why Asynchronous Modules?
As you consider how to deliver your course remotely for the fall term you may be weighing the pros and cons of synchronous vs. asynchronous content. In this post we hope to persuade you towards a mostly asynchronous course design that will help ensure equitable access to materials and a more flexible environment for students to work with. After all, remote learning is not only new for faculty and instructors, but many of our students as well. Continue reading “Why Asynchronous Modules?”
DEU EdTech Quick Tips – Issue 5
In this Issue: Selecting Course Materials
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- How-to select learning materials
- Did you know… USask can help with course materials
- I’m Open: Using Open Educational Resources in your remote course
- Copyright considerations in your remote course
- DEU support and contact information.
Remote Teaching with Video
Keeping your course fresh and interesting throughout the term can be challenging in an online environment. Especially if you’ve had to rush to prepare a remote teaching version of an otherwise live course. One of the many ways we can keep things interesting is with the use of video. Students will appreciate the opportunity to break-up their readings with some media.
Here’s a few creative ways you might use video in your remote or online class yet this term. Continue reading “Remote Teaching with Video”