Canvas Instructor Guide

Canvas Instructor Guide Including:
Canvas Overview
Instructor Orientation/Training
Instructor Responsibilities
Additional Resources

Canvas Overview and Use Cases for Faculty
Canvas is the learning management system used by the University of Michigan School of Nursing for its digital education and hybrid learning courses. 

Instructor Orientation/Training
Canvas workshops are offered on a regular basis by UM Information and Technology Services.

To get started on your Canvas journey, consider taking this Canvas Quick-Start Tutorial and/or watching this Setting Up Your Course and Organizing Content video.

Instructor Responsibilities
How to request access for Canvas:

• All University of Michigan faculty already have access to Canvas. Simply go to https://canvas.it.umich.edu/, click on the U-M Weblogin option, and log in with your uniquename and level 1 password.
• If you have a guest instructor who does not have a uniquename but needs access to your Canvas account, have that individual set up a Friend Account.
• Levels of access
  • When adding individuals to your Canvas site, it is important to know the level of access being given. To see a list of the limitations and abilities of each access level, look at one of the following documents:
    • Canvas Role Permissions Table
    • Canvas Role Permissions Explanation

How to configure/Set up your Canvas site

• If you have questions about setting up your Canvas site, either for the first time or for needed improvements, it is recommended that you set up a Quick Consultation with one of the UMSN DigEd Instructional Designers. You can set up an appointment by going to: Instructional Design Services on the Faculty and Staff Services Portal, and clicking Quick Consultation > Book a Consultation.

Testing

• Instructors are encouraged to use the Student View button in the upper right hand corner of a page’s screen to see how pages will look to students. 

Note: The students currently registered for your course won’t see your content until you click Publish in the top right hand corner of a page in Canvas. While pages are unpublished, you can modify content away from the view of students.

Previously Identified Student Roadblocks
Canvas Discussion Boards

• Students have mentioned that Canvas Discussion Boards can be difficult to navigate. 

Canvas Groups

• Students have mentioned that Canvas Groups can be difficult to navigate. 

Canvas Instructor Course Prep Checklist
This Canvas Checklist from UM Information and Technology Services is a great place to start. 

Depending on your course needs, you may need additional items in your checklist. Feel free to schedule an appointment with an instructional designer for a more personalized Canvas orientation.

How to Get Help
For assistance, you can:

• Set up a Quick Consultation with a UMSN Instructional Designer via the Instructional Design Services Page.
• Contact IT (available 24/7) by phone (734) 749-9002, chat, or submit a request.
• Check out the Canvas Support Center, or contact Instructure.

Instructor FAQs

• How do I record a lecture?
• How does the gradebook in Canvas work?
• How do I schedule/launch a Zoom session from Canvas?
• How do I send an announcement?

Additional Resources

• Getting Started with Canvas and Best Practices for Remote Teaching
• Canvas Instructor Guide
• Canvas Tutorials
• Canvas Quick Start Tutorials (video series)
• Teaching Online with Canvas Workshops: From Good to Great (video series)
• Creating a Virtual Community with Canvas Discussion Boards
• Spark Student Collaboration with Canvas Chat
• Canvas Video Assignments - How to Incorporate Engaging Video into Your Course
• Explore the Canvas' Rich Content Editor Features