Charles Cooper: ccooper@esc11.net

Kerry Fergason: kfergason@esc11.net

Nina Thomas: nina.thomas@esc11.net

A PAGE is just a place to post content that students will passively consume such as posting written information, video lessons and embedding Google Drive items such as slides or docs.  A page is very useful and allows you to give students a completely embedded learning experience by allowing you to embed items such as Quizlet, Padlet, Vocaroo and other tools on the pages.

On the other hand, an ASSIGNMENT can function like a page as well allowing you to put in written instructions, video teaching and instructions as well other all of the same things mentioned above.  The difference is that with an assignment, students will have the ability to TURN IN something to you.  This assignment that students turn in can be in many forms such as a web link, a Google Drive item, written text or an uploaded file.  The teacher also has the ability to use the SpeedGrader to grade all of the student submissions.

The biggest issue I see in new teacher users is that they forget to publish each item.  They have to remember to not only publish the module they are working in, but also each individual item that is listed under the module.

Yes, you can create a new course.  Then use the People link in the left menu to add each staff member that you would like to be included in the course. 

Starting a new course

Using the People page as an instructor

There is a way to generate a code from your course that allows students to join the course on their own.  This will save you time from having to add in each student's email address.  Be careful when using this tool because anyone with the code in your district could join the course.

How to Enable Course Self-Enrollment

Yes, you can merge all of your class periods together into one Canvas course so that you only have to create in one course.  This action is called cross-listing.  In order to cross-list your sections into one course, you must have at least one student enrollment in the course and your district administrator must enable the permissions for this action.

How Do I Cross-list a Section in a Course?

Yes, you can create a modified version of a quiz or assignment in Canvas.  You will need to create your modified assignment as a second quiz or assignment in addition to the original.  You can utilize copy and paste to make this step easier.  Once you have both sets of assignments or quizzes, you will be able to assign them to the correct students based on their needs.

How to Assign Differentiated Assignments in Canvas

Yes, you can share to the Commons.  Then other teachers can access your shared lessons through the commons and load them to their own classes.

Sharing a resource to the Commons

Importing a resource from the Commons

Another way that you can share if teachers frequently plan together is by creating a master course and using that master course to do all of the planning and creating.  Once you have a module, assignment, page, quiz, etc ready to use in your your student course, you can use the import content feature to easily import from your master course. 

Importing Content from a Master Course