Why This Chapter on Using Canvas?

Some of the most fun instructional design courses I have facilitated have been ones where participants design, develop, and pilot test their own online learning course modules. I like to use the Canvas Free for Teachers platform for these types of projects because it is a robust and easy-to-use LMS. I frequently use the platform to run some of my instructional design and educational technology-themed courses.

Getting Started with Canvas: Free for Teachers

I recently held a tutorial session for one such course, where I walked students through the steps of getting started with the building phase for their pilot projects using the Canvas learning management system. While running the live tutorial session (via the Adobe Connect web conferencing platform), I recorded my demonstrations. I then used Screencast-O-Matic to edit the footage, add closed captions, and produce a series of videos focusing on getting up and running with your courses in Canvas. This series of videos covers the following:

• Creating a Canvas Free for Teachers Account
• Creating a New Canvas Course “Shell”
• Configuring Basic Canvas Course Settings
• Creating Canvas Content Pages
• Setting a Canvas Course Home Page
• Working with Images in Canvas
• Embedding Web Content in Canvas
• Creating Assignments in Canvas
• Creating and Organizing Canvas Content Modules
• Testing and Publishing Your Canvas Course
• Adding and Managing Canvas Course Participants
• Backing Up and Importing Canvas Course Content

The Creating Courses in Canvas Tutorial Videos

Creating a Canvas Free for Teachers Account

Creating a New Canvas Course “Shell”

Configuring Basic Canvas Course Settings

Creating Canvas Content Pages

Setting a Canvas Course Home Page

Working with Images in Canvas

Embedding Web Content in Canvas

Creating Assignments in Canvas

Creating and Organizing Canvas Content Modules

Testing and Publishing Your Canvas Course

Adding and Managing Canvas Course Participants

Backing Up and Importing Canvas Course Content

Access the full Creating Courses in Canvas playlist on YouTube.

Some Advanced Tips and Tricks

Using Adaptive Release Conditions with Quizzes

Want to know how to set up a quiz that students must complete before moving on to the next lesson in Canvas? In this video, I demonstrate how to use the Requirements and Prerequisite settings in Canvas modules to create adaptive release conditions based on successfully passing a quiz.

Awarding Digital Badges

Want to gamify your Canvas course by awarding digital badges or eBadges? In this video, I demonstrate how to connect the Badgr (Instructure, n.d.) eBadge platform to Canvas, and how to award eBadges based on Canvas module completion requirements.

Creating Differentiated Pathways

Want to learn how to use Module prerequisites and digital badges to create differentiated pathways in an employee training course in Canvas?

Using Quizzes to Create Differentiated Pathways

Want to learn how to use Module prerequisites, requirements, and quizzes to create differentiated pathways for your students in Canvas?

Additional Resources

• Need help figuring out how to do something in Canvas? Refer to the Instructure (2022a) Community’s updated Video Guide series.
• You can also check out the many online tutorials available through CanvasLMS’s (2014) Instructure Canvas Tutorials YouTube Playlist

References

CanvasLMS. (July 24, 2014). Instructure Canvas Tutorials. [YouTube Playlist]. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C53CD7938F56215

Instructure (n.d.). Welcome to Canvas Badges (Badgr). https://badgr.com/auth/login

Instructure (2022a). Canvas Overview Videos. Instructure Community. https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Video-Guide/tkb-p/videos

Instructure (2022b). You. The Power of Canvas by Instructure. https://www.instructure.com/canvas

Penn State. (2016). Course Blueprint and Audit Template. [Web page]. http://facdev.e-education.psu.edu/plan/audit

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Adding and Managing Canvas Course Participants. [YouTube video].  https://youtu.be/qXDQpPCRHzQ

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Backing Up and Importing Canvas Course Content. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/dowQ5-0FB74

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Configuring Basic Canvas Course Settings. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/cCd-mjp0lmg

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Creating a New Course in Canvas. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/CM9OeqID0Zs

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Creating and Organizing Canvas Content Modules. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/2ljQ2AXCG7M

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Creating Assignments in Canvas. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/CeRZ_9KO7uI

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Creating Canvas Content Pages. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/UISNpTFSoDs

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Creating Your Own Courses in Canvas. Power Learning Solutions. https://www.powerlearningsolutions.com/blog/creating-your-own-courses-using-canvas

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Embedding Web Content in Canvas. [YouTube video].  https://youtu.be/1arVnjuxta4

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Setting a Canvas Course Home Page. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/OZWOQY22p5k

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Testing and Publishing Your Canvas Course. [YouTube video].  https://youtu.be/2jlZyfVmw0k

Power, R. (2020, February 26). Working With Images in Canvas. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/26l4Dyj5jLU

Power, R. (2020, March 12). Using a Quiz for Adaptive Release in Canvas. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/8zPsh2Jwwlo ​

Power, R. (2020, May 21). Adding Digital Badges in Canvas Using Badgr. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/9FonuygaP60

Power, R. (2020, May 27). Differentiated Pathways with Badges in Canvas Courses. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/TWjLWKsJEPc

Power, R. (2022, June 22). Using Quizzes to Create Differentiated Pathways in Canvas. [YouTube video]. https://youtu.be/zQqkNZ2v-Cg

Slade, Tim (2017, February 26). 250+ Free Stock Photos for eLearning. [Web log post]. Timslade.com. https://timslade.com/blog/stock-photos-for-elearning/