Canvas Launch: Mission Accomplished.

Faculty, pat yourselves on the back!

With the fall semester in full swing, I am pleased to share some information about the very successful switch to Canvas.

Without a simple migration tool available, our faculty found themselves facing the feat of rebuilding their classes in Canvas. While it was understood that the intuitive Canvas platform makes it easy, the work seemed daunting at first. The TLT team set a plan in motion 1 year ago, providing learning opportunities that included interactive workshops, 1-on-1 sessions, and online self-paced courses and tutorials.

The great news is that so many faculty also used the migration as an opportunity to rethink pedagogical approaches, integrate new student-centered learning activities, and add project-based learning experiences. As of October 1st, instructors  of 95% of all courses that could benefit from using Canvas had done so.

A few additional points of pride (October 1, 2018 data): 

23,094 – the number of student enrollments enjoying learning in Canvas

494 – published quizzes in the online, easily graded Canvas space

908 – published graded discussion forums (contributions are assessed and measured)

8,769 – published assignments (mostly using the Speed Grader easy grading tool)

778 – “class calendar” items (also accessible by students on mobile devices)

2,139 – daily unique student visitors using the Canvas app

2,942 – daily unique student visitors using a mobile browser

Opportunities to keep learning

Sign up for any of the ITS fall training events. There are three different workshops on Canvas and OneDrive you can attend, or reach out to TLToffice@widener.edu for support.

SPRING 2019 courses are loaded in Canvas!

Go ahead, jump in.  We have streamlined the template further and have even added a bonus Faculty Notes page that offers startup tips, like how to import your existing Canvas content into the next semester. You are free to begin customizing your home page and adding content. We are here to help if you need us!

Canvas 24/7 Support Hotline (Faculty): (833)735-0335

Located in the left-hand navigation of your Canvas account, you can access the live chat and phone number to the hotline.

For additional assistance, email TLToffice@widener.edu, or call 610-499-4090.

When will Canvas be integrated with rosters from Student Planning?

As of Fall 2017, we are fully integrated. Course rosters are set to update automatically, so you will not add users manually. You can, however, still use the +People feature to add additional users (including co-teachers, librarians, and other liaisons, etc.) to your course. For more details on adding people to your course, visit the Canvas Guide: https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/40729-how-do-i-add-users-to-a-course.

When do I have to start using Canvas for my courses?

Likely, Fall 2018. All courses became available for Canvas in Spring 2018, so faculty may teach in either Canvas or CampusCruiser during Spring and Summer 2018. Adopting Canvas during Spring and Summer semesters is highly encouraged because CampusCrusier will no longer be available for classes once we cut over. For more information on the transition timeline, visit https://itsnews.widener.edu/canvas/timeline/

Is Widener offering any training to help faculty make the transition to Canvas?