CANVAS

INSTRUCTOR
GUIDE

University of North Carolina-Wilmington

Spring 2018
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Migrating from Getting Started Canvas

Blackboard in Canvas Resources

Steps in Blackboard Canvas Help Canvas In-depth

Modules
Canvas Navigation Prerequisites
Steps in Canvas Assignments
Instructor Account Graded Discussions
Graded/Ungraded
Course Migration FAQs Notifications
Quizzes
Profile
Pages
Files
Files
Settings Restrict file access
File Migration
Course Options Gradebook
Settings Weighted grades
Modules SpeedGrader
Assignments Canvas vs.
Blackboard
Announcements Key Differences
Discussions Comparison Chart
Grades
Pages Course-building
Files Recommendations
Quizzes
Conferences Resources in Canvas
Collaborations
Course Chat Canvas-Created
Student View Resources
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MIGRATING FROM BLACKBOARD

Steps in Blackboard
1. Start in Blackboard course you wish to migrate.
a) On the left sidebar, choose packages and utilities and then choose
export/archive course.
b) Click export package, then under select course materials, click select
all or only the materials you want to migrate over. If your Blackboard
course is larger than 1 GB, it will not export. Try clicking on ‘manage
package contents’ to slim down before you export.

2. Click on the zip file created by Blackboard.

A zip file will appear in your downloads folder on your computer.
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Steps in Canvas

1. Go to the UNCW Canvas Instructor site, sign in with your UNCW

credentials. On your dashboard, choose the course you’d like to import
materials into. Click course settings, then on the right sidebar, click import
course content.

2. Under the content type drop down menu, select Blackboard 6/7/8/9
export.zip file.
3. Select all content or the content you wish to import and click import.
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Course Migration FAQs

What does not transfer over successfully from Blackboard?

Because Canvas works in modules, all content folders in Blackboard will
manifest as modules in Canvas. You may have to clean up your course in
Canvas to work in the module system. Rubrics, blogs, and journals do not
transfer.

In Blackboard I uploaded my syllabus as a .pdf or .doc. Is this

still possible in Canvas?
Yes, however, Canvas has an easy to use syllabus creator that automatically
produces a course summary/schedule as you enter assignment due dates.
On the left bar in your course, click syllabus, and then the edit button. A rich
content editor will appear, where you can copy and paste an old syllabus, or
create a new one from scratch.

Syllabus creation Resources: Syllabus Creation Video, Canvas Instructor

Guide

Would it be easier for me to build my course from scratch?

It depends. Generally we encourage willing instructors to build their
Canvas courses from scratch. If you have all your course files saved on your
computer or external hard drive and feel comfortable with Canvas, it may be
easier to build from scratch, and it may help you learn Canvas more quickly
and effectively. Canvas has a fantastic gallery system in which you can
upload all your files for all courses and move them around your course as
needed. However, if your files are only housed in Blackboard, or you don’t
feel comfortable building, migration is a good option.

Blackboard vs. Canvas Resource: Differences Chart

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GETTING STARTED IN CANVAS

Canvas Help
Canvas offers UNCW 24/7 support via chat and offers many resources for
instructors. To get help directly from Canvas Support, click on the question
mark icon in Canvas. When in doubt, chat with Canvas online!

To set up one-on-one appointments with the UNCW team, or inquire about

trainings or support, use our calendar.
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Canvas Navigation

Canvas uses a streamlined left sidebar navigational system. When you

sign into your Canvas account, you’ll land on your dashboard, a gallery of
all your courses. To access your account/profile, course list, people in your
courses, your calendar, your Canvas mailbox, the Canvas Commons, or
Canvas Help, click on the corresponding icon. In some instances, another left
sidebar will appear, offering more options, such as when you enter a course.

Sidebar Navigation Example 1 Sidebar Navigation Example 2

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Instructor Account
NOTIFICATIONS
Canvas comes with default notification preferences for your courses. You
may change the default by using your own notification preferences. These
notification preferences only apply to you and cannot be used to control
how course updates are sent to other users, including students.

Notifications Resources: Canvas Notifications PDF

Four notification types:

1. Notify me right away
2. Daily summary
3. Weekly summary
4. Don’t send

If you change a setting, the change is made immediately to your account.

Notifications are set for all of your courses; notification settings cannot be
changed in individual courses.

PROFILE
Instructor Profiles allow you to update your name, biography, picture, and
any personal links for your account. Your profile information can be viewed
by all users in your courses, and is editable at any time.
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FILES
User files include uploaded assignments, images, course specific files, and
other files uploaded to your personal Canvas storage area. There are two
types of file storage in Canvas: personal files and course files. When using
the rich content editor to create an assignment (or other category), you
cannot access or add personal files unless they are moved to that course’s file
storage.

Files Resources: Files in-depth, Canvas files video, Canvas Instructor Guide
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SETTINGS
In account settings, instructors can edit best ways to contact, integrate other
web services like Google Drive, register those web services, and edit contrast
settings.
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Course Options
SETTINGS
In course settings, instructors can view and edit course details such as time
zone and start and end dates, view course sections, view users in the course,
view the course file storage, view course statistics, manage course visibility
and licensing, enable external apps such as YouTube and TedEd, change
the navigation sidebar in the course, import and export course content, and
delete the course.

Course Settings Resources: Canvas Course Setting Videos Part 1 & 2, Canvas
Instructor Guide.

MODULES
Like content folders in Blackboard, Canvas Modules help instructors
organize content in order to benefit the flow of the course. Modules
organize course content by weeks, units, or a different structure. Modules
essentially tell the students how to proceed in the course in a linear fashion
created by the instructor. Each module can contain pages, files, discussions,
assignments, quizzes, and other course content. Module items can be added
to the course from existing content or new content shells within the modules.

Course content can be added to multiple modules or iterated several times

throughout an individual module. Modules can be easily organized using
the drag and drop feature. Watch the Canvas Modules Video for more help.

Modules Resources: Modules In-depth, Canvas Modules Video, Canvas

Instructor Guide

ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments include quizzes, graded discussions, and online submissions
(i.e. files, images, text, URLs, etc.). The Assignments page, as well as
the syllabus/course summary page, show students the complete list
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of assignments, what is expected of them, and points they are worth.

Assignments can be assigned to everyone in the course or differentiated by
section or user.

Assignments Resources: Assignments In-depth, Canvas Instructor Guide

ANNOUNCEMENTS
With announcements, instructors can communicate with students about
course activities and share course-related topics. They are designed to
broadcast information to all users in one course. For more information, view
the Canvas Announcement Video.

DISCUSSIONS
Canvas discussions allow both instructors and students to start and
contribute to as many discussion topics as desired. Discussions allow for
interactive and engaging communication between two or more people.
Users can participate in a conversation with a group, or the entire course.
Discussions can also be created as an assignment for grading purposes
(and are automatically integrated with the Canvas Gradebook), or serve
as a forum for topical and current events. Discussions can be created with
groups. Discussion topics can be a focused or threaded discussion.

Discussions Resources: Discussions In-depth, Canvas Discussion Video,

Canvas Instructor Guide

GRADES
Using the Canvas Gradebook, instructors can input and distribute grades
for students. Each assignment’s grade may be calculated as points,
percentages, complete or incomplete, pass or fail, GPA scale, and letter
grades. Assignments can be organized into groups for weighting as well.
SpeedGrader can help you more quickly and effectively assign out grades.
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Columns are automatically created in the Gradebook when you create and
publish assignments, graded discussions, and graded quizzes and surveys. A
column is also automatically added for the Attendance tool.

Gradebook Resources: Gradebook In-depth, Canvas Gradebook Video,

Canvas Instructor Guide.

PAGES
Pages store content and educational resources for a course or a group.
Pages can also be used for assignment descriptions, but don’t need to be in
an assignment. Think of pages as a website within your course. Pages can
include video, links, files, text, and other content. Pages can also be linked to
other pages in Canvas. Pages are helpful as a collaboration tool for course or
group wikis, when an instructor wants specific users to have access. Canvas
also stores the complete history of the page as additions are made. Some
instructors use pages as a keystone in their course design.

Pages Resources: Pages In-depth, Canvas Pages Video, Canvas Instructor

Guide

FILES
User files include uploaded assignments, images, course specific files, and
other files uploaded to your personal Canvas storage area. There are two
types of file storage in Canvas: personal files and course files. In the rich
content editor in a course, you cannot access personal files unless they are
moved to that course’s file storage. For more information on moving and
organizing files, view the Canvas Files Video and/or download the .pdf
and/or go to the Canvas Instructor Guide.

Files Resources: Files In-depth, Canvas Instructor Guide, Canvas Files Video
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QUIZZES
Quizzes in Canvas are assignments that can be used to assess student
comprehension. The quiz tool is used to create and oversee online quizzes
and surveys. Quizzes can also be used to conduct and moderate exams and
assessments, both graded and ungraded.

The four different types of quizzes in Canvas are:

1. A graded quiz is the most common quiz and rewards students points
based on their quiz responses.
2. A practice quiz is a learning tool to see how well users understand course
material without providing a grade.
3. A graded survey rewards students with points for completing a survey but
grading is not based on right or wrong answers.
4. An ungraded survey obtains opinions or other information without
providing a grade.

Quizzes Resources: Quizzes In-depth, Canvas Quiz Creation Video, Quiz

Settings Video, Canvas Instructor Guide

CONFERENCES
Conferences are used for virtual lectures, virtual office hours, and student
groups. For more information on conferences, visit the Canvas Instructor
Guide.

COLLABORATIONS
Collaborations allow students to work collaboratively on the same
documents simultaneously. Collaborations can be formed between two or
more students, and can include the instructor. For more information, visit the
Canvas Instructor Guide.
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CHAT
The Canvas Chat Tool gives students and instructors the opportunity to
interact and talk to each other in real-time. For more information, visit the
Canvas Instructor Guide.

STUDENT VIEW
The Student View option gives instructors the ability to view the course as
the students view it. Access student view through your course home page or
settings. For more information, read more in-depth and/or visit the Canvas
Instructor Guide.
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CANVAS RESOURCES

Take a Closer Look: Canvas In-depth

Modules

Modules house the core content of a course. Instructors should begin Canvas
course development with Modules. To access Modules, click on the Modules
link in the course navigation.

To add a module, click on the Add Module button in the upper right-hand
corner of a course’s Modules page.
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Ideally, when you develop a course, the first module will be a Module 0/
Welcome Module where you explain how you’ve set up the course and how
a student should navigate through the modules. In the welcome module, you
can also upload important documents, videos, and other materials necessary
to introduce the course.

Like content folders in Blackboard, Canvas Modules help instructors

organize content in order to benefit the flow of the course. Modules organize
course content by weeks, units, or a different structure. Modules essentially
tell the students how to proceed in the course.

Each module can contain pages, files, discussions, assignments, quizzes,

and other course content. Module items can be added to the course from
existing content or new content shells within the modules. Course content
can be added to multiple modules or iterated several times throughout an
individual module. To add an item in a module, you click on the plus sign
to the right of the module name.
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A dialogue box appears, where you choose the type of assignment.

You must name the assignment before you can create/edit the item:
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Modules can be easily organized using the drag and drop feature. Simply
click on the eight dot icon to the left of the header and drag items to
rearrange them within modules. You can also reorder modules using this
feature.

To keep a module hidden from students until it is ready, use the publish/
unpublish button. A module or assignment is published when you see a
green check mark. When you create a module or assignment, the Canvas
default is to leave it unpublished, so you must always publish it when you
want students to have access to it.
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PREREQUISITES, REQUIREMENTS, AND LOCKING

When creating a module, you may choose another module as a prerequisite,

so that your students must finish a prior module in order to continue. To do
so, click add requirement in your module creation box. You will then have
the options to lock the entire module until a specific date, require students
to complete all items in the module before they move forward, require
students to complete a prior module before they move forward, and/or
require students to complete a specific assignment or module before moving
forward.
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Assignments
Assignments include quizzes, graded discussions, and online submissions
(i.e. files, images, text, URLs, videos, etc.). Assignment groups are equivalent
to Categories in Blackboard. To create graded assignments, remember to
click the graded option. All graded assignments will show in the course
summary on the syllabus page, the gradebook, as well as in the assignments
tab. To create ungraded assignments that still appear in these locations,
make them worth 0 points.

The Assignments page, as well as the syllabus/course summary page, show

students the complete list of assignments, what is expected of them, and
points they are worth. The assignments are also first and foremost visible
within the Modules.

If you feel the Assignment page is redundant or confusing in addition to the

Modules page, you can hide it from the navigation toolbar by accessing your
settings.

There are no blog and journal options in Blackboard. Discussions are a

feature instructors can use instead.
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GRADED DISCUSSIONS

There are two types of discussions available in Canvas:

1. Threaded
2. Focused

A threaded discussion allows students to reply to a reply, and allows

for infinite levels of nesting. Threaded discussions are usually long-
term discussions that flow around multiple topics. To create a threaded
discussion, go to your discussions tab, click new discussion and make sure to
click allow threaded replies.

A focused discussion is one that is usually short-lived and revolves around

a single topic. To create focused discussions, go to your discussions tab, click
new discussion and leave allow threaded replies unchecked.
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When creating discussions, you may also choose the length of time you
want the discussion to be available and force students to post a reply to the
discussion before they see other student answers.

On your discussion tab, you will also see categories for pinned discussions
and discussions that are closed for comment. Pinned discussions show
students which discussions are underway. Closed for comment discussions
are discussions that have ended. To pin a discussion, click on the three dots
to the right of your discussion on your discussion homepage.

GRADED VS. UNGRADED (Quizzes and Discussions)

If you choose not to grade a discussion or quiz it will not appear in the
assignments tab, gradebook, or the course summary. When you create
Graded Discussions and Quizzes, they will automatially be considered
assignments. Ungraded discussions will remain in the Discussions tab and
list, and can be placed inside a module or linked to on a page. Ungraded
Quizzes will remain in the quiz tab and list, and can be placed inside a
module or linked to on a page.
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QUIZZES

Quiz features allow you to create and pull questions from a quiz bank. You
also have the option of locking and unlocking quiz answers to make them
accessible to students at different dates and times relative to important
milestones, like exams.

To add questions to your quiz, click edit, and then questions. You’ll then
have the choice to create new questions, create a new question group, or
find questions you’ve already created.
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Pages

Pages are the rough equivalent of Items in Blackboard. You can think of them
as easily-editable repositories of information, similar to Wikis or web pages.

On a page, you have the option to link to files, assignments, discussions,

quizzes, and other pages by simply clicking on the file link to the right of the
rich text editor while you’re creating or editing a page.
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If you have a topic you want to focus on within a module, adding a page in
which students have access to all files, videos, and information on that topic
can be very helpful.

You also have the option to allow students to edit the page to create a
dynamic learning area within your course, similar to a Wiki. To allow
students to edit a page, choose the allow teachers and students option in
your page’s editing options.
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Files
User files include uploaded assignments, images, course specific files, and
other files uploaded to your personal Canvas storage area. There are two
types of file storage in Canvas: personal files and course files.

Access Personal Files by clicking on your icon in the farthest left menu bar.
In the menu bar that appears, click Files to access your Personal Files storage.

Access Course Files from the link in the toolbar of individual courses, or
from the right-hand side of the page as you create modules, assignments,
and pages.
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RESTRICT STUDENT ACCESS TO FILES

At times, you may want to restrict student access to certain course files. You
have the option to do so in the course files area in your course. You may
also schedule a time when the files will be available. For instance, you may
want your students to have access to a file only during an exam, or when
a module begins. To change restrictions, go to course files, click on the file
publishing check mark, and then restricted access.

WHEN WORKING WITH FILES, ALWAYS REMEMBER:

In the rich content editor in a course, you cannot access personal files unless
they are moved to that course’s file storage.
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FILES: MIGRATING FROM BLACKBOARD

When you’re transferring a course from Blackboard to Canvas and the file
size exceeds 1gb, you can select which files you want to transfer to reduce
the overall file size.
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Gradebook
The Gradebook has two views. The Default Gradebook allows you to see
all students and assignments at the same time. Individual View allows
instructors to assess one student and one assignment at a time and is fully
accessible for screen readers. Both views retain the same Gradebook settings.
You can switch Gradebook views at any time.

Each column in the Gradebook represents an assignment, graded

discussion, or graded quiz. Each column displays the assignment title,
total points, and each student’s grade. You can sort, resize, and reorder any
assignment column. To remove a column from the Gradebook, you must
delete the assignment from your course.

Assignment columns are automatically generated every time you create

and publish assignments, graded discussions, and graded quizzes and
surveys. A column is also automatically added for the Attendance tool.

To excuse assignments from the final grade, you must edit the assignment
itself. To excuse a particular student from an assignment, write EX for their
grade in the Gradebook.
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You can filter the Gradebook by section, term, or student.

The notes column in your gradebook is only viewable by you. It exists as

a way to take notes on individual students. For instance, if you want to add
student ID numbers or notes about students who need extra help or have
accessibility needs.

WEIGHTED GRADES
Instructors can set weighted grades through the Assignments section in
Canvas.

To do so, you must first create assignment groups in the assignments tab.
To create assignment groups, click the ‘+ group’ button and name your
group.
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Next, click on the settings (the three dots) to the right of the page to
group assignments into weighted categories. Changes will reflect in the
Gradebook.

Instructors can override auto-graded scores in the Gradebook by clicking on

the upper right-hand corner of an individual assignment grade to edit the
score. This is also the way to leave comments on particular grades.

In the Settings drop-down menu on the right-hand side of the Gradebook,

you can specify settings that apply to your entire Gradebook, including
sorting columns by due date, points, or assignment group, and treating
ungraded submissions as zeros.
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To sort columns, click the heading of a column and use the arrow to sort the
content in ascending or descending order. You can sort Student Name and
Secondary ID columns.

If you have enabled Student View, the Test Student is shown at the end of
the Gradebook and is automatically added to every section in your course.
Test Student data does not factor into course analytics.

If you want to remove the test student completely, you must remove the test
student from your section enrollments.
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You can manually edit scores or add a column by downloading the

Gradebook CSV file, adding a new column, giving the column a title, and
uploading the CSV file. Please be aware that assignments uploaded in CSV
files are automatically published.

You can download the Gradebook CSV file from the Export option in the
right-hand area of the Gradebook.

SpeedGrader includes several areas to help you locate and view student
submissions, grade submissions, and add comments to submissions. For
detailed information about Speedgrader, refer to this Canvas guide. You can
access SpeedGrader from any individual graded assignment by clicking the
three dots to the right.
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Blackboard and Canvas: Key Differences

When migrating from Blackboard to Canvas please keep in mind that Blackboard
and Canvas are two very different learning management systems. We recommend
learning the differences, getting acquainted with what Canvas has to offer, and not
focusing too much on how to make Canvas feel exactly like Blackboard. Below is a list
of the key differences in Canvas.

Syllabus: Canvas has its own syllabus creator, with a rich content editor that allows
you to copy and paste an already-created syllabus or build a new one, with options
to insert pictures, insert a downloadable syllabus file, link to external and internal
resources, et cetera. The Syllabus also includes an automatically generated course
summary of all published assignments, organized by due date, to help you and your
students stay organized. The Syllabus is automatically defaulted to your home page.
To set another page as your home page, follow these instructions.

Blogs & Journals: There is no equivalent for Blackboard’s Blogs and Journals in
Canvas. A workaround for Canvas is to use discussions, assignments or pages, or to
utilize external tools such as OneDrive.

Tasks, web links, glossaries, and Wikis: All can be developed in Canvas Pages.
Collaborations can also be used in lieu of wikis.

Content Area: There is no Content Area in Canvas, content is organized using Modules
and Pages.

Forums: There is no equivalent to Blackboard’s Forums in Canvas. However, you can

use content pages and assignments to create Forum-like environments.

Canvas Commons: Canvas has a repository called Commons that allows users to share
content (either entire courses or modules).

Adaptive Release: Canvas has many great options to manage student access to
modules, assignments, and files, though it looks a bit different in Canvas.
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Chart: Blackboard vs Canvas

Blackboard Canvas Resources

Announcements Announcements How to make an announcement

Announcements Video

Adaptive Release Publish/unpublish, Canvas’ adaptive release

restrictions, requirements, options
prerequisites

Assignments/ Assignments/TurnItIn Assignment FAQ’s

SafeAssignments
TurnItIn

Course Calendar Calendar Adding Events to Calendar

Course Files, Documents, Files Student/Instructor Files

Images and Media
Files Video

Discussion Board/Forums Discussions What are Discussions?

Discussion Video

Create forums in Canvas:

two options
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Glossary, Tasks, Web Links, Pages What are Pages?

Wikis
Pages Video

Grade Center Gradebook / Speedgrader Using Gradebook

Gradebook Video

Speedgrader Video

Groups Groups What are Groups?

Groups Video

Learning Module Modules What are Modules?

Modules Video

Rubric Rubrics Creating Rubrics

Rubrics Video

Send Email Conversations/Messages Conversations

Tests/Surveys/Pools Quizzes/Surveys Creating Quizzes/Surveys

Quizzes Video
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Ready to Build?!
Follow these Recommendations

1. Build your syllabus. Copy and paste one you already have, or build a
new one from scratch.

2. View and edit your instructor profile and set course images or colors to
easily spot specific courses on your Canvas homepage.

3. Start with a framework:

• Create/name your modules – name them by weeks, or topics, or other

categories. Be sure to include an introductory module.
• Lay out your course assignment due dates using the calendar – When
you add and name assignments to your calendar on their due date, the
assignments are automatically generated in the assignments tab list, the
calendar, and the course summary.

4. Build your assignments and create assignment groups. After naming

your assignments and your assignment groups, you may go into edit
individual assignments and create more robust descriptions of objectives
and requirements. You may also set assignment availability and grading
options.

5. Create any pages, discussions, or quizzes you want in your course.

6. Add assignments, pages, quizzes, discussions into your already-created

modules – Once you have all your materials created in Canvas, simply
add these to your modules in the order you wish your students to progress
through the course. You may also lock the modules until a specific date, set
availability and restrictions, and/or add requirements.

7. Request tickets with TAC for course merges or copies.

8. If you’d like, set up an appointment with the Canvas Team to go over

your course and ask any questions you may have.

9. Publish your course materials to make your course available to students.

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Resources within Canvas

Head to uncw.instructure.com, sign in with your credentials,

and check out:

Northwestern’s Visual Design in Canvas Course

The University of Texas’ ‘Example Canvas Courses’ Page in their

Canvas Training Center

Canvas Course Commons for Importable Ideas from

the Canvas Community!
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Canvas-Created Resources

Canvas Instructor Guide

Canvas Video Guide

FAQs and suggestions in the

Canvas Community & Canvas Groups

When in doubt, live-chat with Canvas Support

by going to the help tab on your course page!
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