2021 Newsletter - November
The CIDI monthly newsletter to USU instructors shares the latest news, teaching tips, and technology updates to help you succeed as a teacher.
Get Ready for Spring Semester With These Helpful Tips
Spring 2022 courses have been loaded into Canvas and are ready for content. Getting a jump start on copying and updating content can help you relax through the holidays and avoid last-minute issues. Here is a checklist of things to consider as you copy your course content:
- Do you use Atomic Assessments? If so, enable Atomic Assessments in your new course before you import content. That way your Atomic Assessments will copy along with the rest of your Canvas content.
- To import content from one Canvas course to another, use the Import Existing Content button on the home page of the new course. Choose Copy a Canvas Course. For a visual walkthrough, see the course import tutorial.
- Update assignment dates. Save time using the bulk Edit Assignment Dates option. Note that Spring Break will be March 7-11.
- Do you use Proctorio? If so, use a Proctorio-enabled browser to open and re-save all quizzes that were previously set to use Proctorio. This resets Proctorio for the new course.
- Review the grade book and all assignments to make sure they are properly set up.
- Are the points possible specified for every required assignment?
- Are the assignments students need to see published? Are the assignments they don't need to see unpublished?
- Are grading policies set? Learn more about grading policies.
- Is the grading scheme set? Learn more about the grading scheme.
- Update syllabus date-and-term references.
- Delete or rework old announcements.
- Post a new welcome announcement.
- Will you use Zoom? Enable Zoom and schedule meetings.
- Run the link validator to check for broken links.
- Clean out old, unnecessary files and content. Save time using TidyUp.
- Hide unused navigation items.
- Review notes and student feedback from past semester for items to fix.
- Do you have your module links listed on your home page? If so, use the Design Tools to update module titles and active display dates.
- Publish your course!
Upcoming Training Opportunities
- 11/16 at 10:30 AM · Preparing for Final Grading
- 11/16 at 2:00 PM · Getting Started in Canvas
- 11/17 at 2:00 PM · Creating Inclusive, Accessible Documents
- 11/29 at 11:00 AM · Importing and Updating Your Course for the New Semester
- 12/2 at 2:30 PM · Preparing for Final Grading
- 12/3 at 1:30 PM · Getting Started in Canvas
- 12/6 at 12:30 PM · How to Quickly Create a Beautiful Canvas Course
- 12/7 at 1:30 PM · Modify the Canvas Visual Template
- 12/10 at 2:30 PM · Web Broadcast Teaching Tips
On-Demand Training Resources
- Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence: Volume 5, Issue 2 (Fall 2021)
- ETE Seminar: A New Normal in Inclusive and Usable Learning
Teaching Tools and Updates
- Pressbooks, an open-access e-book editor with built-in interactive tools and a Canvas integration, has been licensed by UEN for use by all Utah instructors and students. It allows for collaborative authoring by students, graded activities, and publishing in all major e-book formats. It will be ready to use for Spring term.
- Delphinium, a user-interface layer for Canvas courses, provides a more gamified experience for students, including leaderboards, avatars, progress reporting, and more. It is available for immediate use by instructors.
- Canvas Updates
Teaching Tip Highlights
- A key outcome of higher education is to help students become more independent and self-directed as learners. Instructors can help students become better learners. This Edutopia Article provides five metacognitive questions students can ask themselves to aid in the learning of new material.
Contact CIDI
For on-demand support with teaching technologies, contact CIDI at cidi@usu.edu, via chat, or at 435.797.9506. Schedule an appointment with an instructional designer to get help making your courses more engaging, usable, and accessible.