Essential Canvas-related questions for remote teaching

This article is part of a larger series on Remote Teaching Resources. For additional support, please contact [email protected].

Canvas Basic Requirements

As of Spring 2020, all APU faculty are required to use Canvas to teach their courses, regardless of modality or level. The following how-to guides provide faculty with step-by-step instructions on how to meet the basic requirements. This information is also available as a Google Doc for downloading and printing.

1. Import APU course template (optional, but recommended)
2. Upload a syllabus and course materials
3. Create and grade assignments.
4. Maintain a gradebook (enable grading scheme and check gradebook settings)
5. Post your virtual office hours.
6. Upload course materials and make sure they’re accessible.
7. Publish the course for students access

Course Imports and Templates

1. How do I import my previous course content into the fall course and adjust dates?
2. How can I organize my classes in Canvas? Are there 8-week and 16-week course templates I can use?
3. Is there a sample online Canvas class that I can view to get an idea of what a quality course looks like?

Course Content

1. How do I add/upload my syllabus to a course in Canvas?
2. How do I add/upload a file in Canvas?
3. How do I create & post video announcements as an instructor in Canvas?
4. How do I record lectures alongside a PowerPoint (PPT) presentation? Learn more about recording lecture resources.
5. How do I upload a video to Canvas as an instructor? Canvas does support any media file upload of more than 500 MB. Given this limit, faculty will need to host the video file through an external source such as YouTube or Google Drive and embed it using the Rich Content Editor.
   1. How do I link to a YouTube in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor?
   2. How do I create a hyperlink or embed a file from Google Drive into the New Rich Content Editor as an instructor?
6. How do I add an image to a course card in the Dashboard?

Assignments / Gradebook / Grading / Rubrics

1. Do I have to use the Canvas gradebook? Yes. It's part of the minimum Canvas use requirements issued by the Provost.
2. How do I set up my Gradebook?
3. How do I create/add a grading rubric?
4. How can I grade assignments and not allow students to have access until I want them to?
5. How do I sync Canvas grades to Peoplesoft?
6. How do I provide feedback comments on assignments submitted by students?
7. How do my students submit their assignments in a course?

Publish Courses and Content

1. How do I publish my course in Canvas? Students cannot see unpublished courses. Faculty can continue building their courses, and when they're ready, they can publish, making the class go "live."
2. How do I publish modules, pages, assignments, and quizzes in course?
3. How do I view a course as a test student using Student View?

Testing Integrity

1. How do I use Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor to secure/monitor/proctor the testing environment in my course?
2. How do I set a time limit on exams (timed tests) in my course to minimize cheating?
3. How do I create an assessment/quiz in my course, including true/false, multiple-choice, short answers, fill-in-the-blank, and other question types?
4. Does LockDown Browser work on Chromebooks?

Zoom and Google Meet in Canvas

1. How do I use Zoom in Canvas? See related Zoom-related questions.
2. How do I schedule a Zoom meeting in Canvas? See related Zoom-related questions.
3. How do I use Google Meet in Canvas?
4. What are the differences between Zoom and Google Meet?

Official Canvas Guides

1. Quick Start for Instructors
2. Setup Your Canvas Course in 30 Minutes or Less (video series)
3. Getting Started with Canvas as an Instructor Flowchart
4. Canvas Instructor Guide
5. Canvas Student Guide

Unofficial Canvas Guides

1. Canvas Classroom Tips and Tricks - BAS Dept. of Marriage and Family Therapy
2. Getting Started with Canvas in 10 Steps Infographic - Saint Joseph's University