Best Practices for Canvas

General Course Practices

- Use modules to structure content logically, such as by week, unit, or topic.
- Maintain a consistent naming convention for files, assignments, and discussions.
- Include an introduction page to provide a detailed and easily accessible course outline.
- Type content directly into Canvas or link to external sites (avoid attaching documents when possible).

Assignments & Quizzes

- Use all the tools available. Assignments, quizzes, and discussion threads are all great resources.
- Use auto-grading for submissions that don’t need detailed review; use manual grading for items that require specific feedback.
- Write clear instructions for each task. Be specific about the type of task and when it's due.
- Provide meaningful feedback for assignments that require it.
- Make sure quizzes are formatted correctly for the intended purpose. Quizzes can be structured in different ways, optimize the format for the task.

Communication & Engagement

- Post announcements through Canvas rather than email for course-related updates. It keeps everything organized and Canvas handles formatting well.
- Don't over-notify course participants as it may overload their notifications. Find a balance that is both effective and reasonable.
- For assignment-specific feedback, use the comment feature within the assignment submission as it links directly to that specific assignment, and keeps everything easy to track.
- Provide thoughtful feedback, but don't spend too much time. Find a balance for what you write and what you can say in person.
- Use Canvas Analytics to see certain engagement information from the participants.
- Encourage participants to use discussion boards to share their thoughts and anything else.
- Use the Canvas Calendar for course-related dates. It is a feature often overlooked.

General Usability

- Be clear and concise, but also provide enough details to get the point across.
- When linking videos, try to link through YouTube (embed). YouTube is free and a great reliable resource. Canvas can be weird with personally uploaded videos.
- As stated in the "General Course Practices", write the content in Canvas. Don't attach Word Docs, as it allows for a better browser and mobile experience.
- If you have to attach documents, use PDF format, as it works better for mobile.
- Follow a set structure and format for each course; it makes navigation easier. A template is provided on the next "Template" page.