Canvas

Welcome to some Canvas Help. I will put my 2 cents and insights here but there is much more than what I offer. Here is a link to the Canvas Help Site - with ALL THE DETAILS. http://guides.instructure.com

Q and A as you have heard before...
 * **Who is using it?**
 * Many colleges use this exact software or something similar. High Schools across the country are beginning to.
 * **What is it?**
 * A secure (log-in required) learning management system. When STUDENTS log in they see ALL their stuff from one site. They do NOT have to go around looking for all their teachers websites or assignments.
 * **Where**
 * https://graniteschools.instructure.com/ //Or,// LanDesk Launchpad CANVAS, //Or//, School website bottom right corner.
 * **When**
 * Anytime. It's a website. However YOU, the teacher can chose dates and times to make assignments available.
 * **Why**
 * I could throw in all the education jargon if you'd like but the bottom line would be - It's the World we live in today! Having a web page is NOT a new idea anymore nor is the internet going away. This generation of students are growing up em-bedded with and teachers need to reach them.
 * **Are there issues with it?**
 * Of course - It's technology! Even pencil and paper have issues. Work past the issues?
 * Gradebook does not sync with it - YET. Use GSD Gradebook system and just ignore Grades in Canvas.
 * Syllabus = Disclosure. Assignments and other items are "fed" to this page so it may be a little overwhelming at first.
 * While you can export and import data to various classes you DO need to set up EACH class (period) you teach. Time consuming/Tedious
 * I am sure there are more. Bet lets move on.


 * **But I don't want to re-create all my assignments!**
 * I don't blame you. Don't. You already have the assignments probably in Word or some other file type. Save them as a .pdf and upload it to your Canvas class. The students can open the assignment, do the work and turn it in All using the computer. You can even grade it on the computer and send it back to the student.
 * **I already have a website with all my info on it...**
 * Me too. Several. Put a link to it on your "Splash Page". Use canvas for assignments that require a computer.
 * **I do not want all my hard work to be available to the general public on the internet.**
 * It won't be. Canvas is a secure website that students have to log in to and is NOT indexed by search engines.
 * Save it as a .pdf and put your name on it. If other teachers were to get a copy they would not be able to edit it easily.
 * **I do not want to create a page for each of my classes.**
 * Yeah, this is dumb. You should be able to create one of your classes as a generic template that can be copied to all your other periods of that same course. Include stuff that all classes will get. Then use the import feature to set up your other classes.
 * We are also looking at creating a "dummy class" that can be used for ALL of your stuff. Then import what you want into each class.
 * **I am not going to do this because GSD may not be using this in a few years. It is just a fad.**
 * Possibly. We had a similar thing in WebNetworks that never did work. Gradebook has changed (and is changing again next year!) Everything changes and we need to evolve with it.
 * I agree. That is why you save all your hard work on your computer as Word, or .pdf files and just upload them to the new //(insert latest tech. thing here)// instead of typing it all up inside of Canvas. Some of it there is just no getting around.