Course Syllabus

Course Information

questions?
contact information

eLearning / Information Commons

253-566-5176

Course Description

This asynchronous online course is designed for instructors who have never used the Canvas learning management system (LMS) or who are just getting started.  By the end of this course you should have a basic understanding of the Canvas tool set and be ready to begin using Canvas for instruction.

Prerequisites

Participants should currently be teaching or preparing to teach web enhanced, hybrid online, or full online courses through a learning management system.  Coursework includes activities that require familiarity with online tools such as web browsers and email.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Distinguish ways to get Canvas help.
  
  
• Recognize key Canvas terminology.
  
  
• Demonstrate application of Canvas communication tools.
  
  
• Demonstrate navigation of Canvas environment.
  
  
• Understand Canvas from a student's perspective.
  
  
• Create a basic course in Canvas.

Course Structure

This course is built in content modules and is linked directly to Canvas' own training and support materials which they update and maintain.  Canvas is a growing, dynamic and responsive organization.  As such, new releases occur every 3-weeks.  Occasionally a process you are learning may change during or right after you complete the course.  This is normal and while sometimes frustrating, it should be perceived as a positive outcome of growth and product improvement.

What browser should I use?

The browser Canvas developers recommend is Chrome, but Firefox and Safari typically work well too.  Internet Explorer is not a recommended browser for Canvas, so please do not use it.

Absolutely read all of the information about browsers in the Canvas Guides at Which browsers does Canvas support?

IMPORTANT
Due to recent changes within all 3 major browsers (Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer) some of the pages in Canvas are blank or not loading correctly.  This is not a Canvas issue.

When content does not load, please get in the habit of looking for the light grey shield icon in the URL address bar of the browser.  It is located on the left side in Firefox and on the right side in Chrome.  In Firefox, click on the shield icon and then select Disable Protection on this Page from the drop down menu.  In Chrome, click on the Shield icon and then select the link that says Load Unsafe Script.

Technical Requirements

Participants must be able to navigate web-based applications and have sufficiently modern equipment and Internet service in order to access the course.  You will also need an updated version of Adobe Flash Player and Java installed on your computer. 

You can read more about Canvas system requirements and browser recommendations in the Canvas Guides at Which browsers does Canvas support?

Interested in Mobile Access?  Click here to read about how to access Canvas on a mobile device.

Communications

• If you have any questions about this course, please post them to our Ask a Question discussion board located in the Discussions tool.  You can also access this forum at the top of the page in the Modules tool.  The forum will be checked frequently to answer questions.  If you know the answer to a classmate's question, please feel free to respond to it.
  
• We will make every attempt to respond to your messages and Ask a Question discussion postings within 24 hours Monday - Friday, however, there may be days when we are unable to do so.  Please know that we will answer every question as soon as we possibly can.  Time permitting we may check for questions over the weekend and will mostly likely respond, but for questions submitted late on a Friday or anytime on Saturday or Sunday, please know that it may be Monday before someone gets back to you.
  
  
• We will address all questions and comments submitted with assignments when that assignment is graded.
  
  
• We will be grading assignments as they are submitted and you can expect to see comments posted within approximately one week of submitting your work.  For those of you that move swiftly through the materials and finish the course early, please note that you may not see all of your grades until the session ends.
  

Netiquette |net·i·quette|

Considered to be the “manners” or etiquette governing online interactions.  All student-to-student, student-to-instructor and instructor-to-student communications (including emails and discussion postings) should be phrased in positive, non-confrontational and non-offensive language.  Please keep all interaction cordial, business-like and professional.

Help & Support

Here are several options for accessing Canvas support:

• Ask us!  Post your questions to the Ask a Question discussion board located in the Support & Resources module.
  
  
• Click the Help link in the upper right corner of your screen and then choose from the available options.
  
  
• Drop by the eLearning office (we are the Information Commons in Building 16)...we will be happy to assist you!
   

Disability Support Services

If you have a documented disability, the campus disability support office may be able to assist you with reasonable accommodation.  If you need assistance, please contact the disability support office at Access Services (566-5093).  If necessary they will contact the eLearning Department.

Practice Course

In addition to this course, you will also see a Practice course listed in your Courses drop-down menu in the horizontal navigation bar toward the top of your screen. Please use your Practice course to complete the assignments for this course.  If you cannot locate your practice course, please contact the eLearning Department immediately.

As long as it meets all of the assignment requirements, please feel free to use screen shots of a current course you are building to fulfill your assignment submissions.  If you choose this option, please include a brief note of explanation with your submission.

Assessments

Assessments in this course include quizzes and homework assignments.   The assignments are designed to help you build skills and get additional support while the quizzes in each module will help you check your own understanding.

• You must complete all of the module assessments before the course ending date to be eligible to receive a passing grade and earn a certificate.
  
  
• Each assignment has its own rubric and a grade will be earned upon the completion and submission of the assignment.
  
  
• You will see a blue notification dot next to your Grades tool when an assignment has been graded.  Please ask if you have questions about your grades.  Grading comments may be viewed in the Grades tool and will also be messaged to your Inbox.

Grading

This is a self paced pass/fail course.  You must attempt all of the assignments and pass all of the quizzes in order to be eligible to receive a Pass grade.  If you submit all of your assignments AND earn more than 180 points out of the 225 points total (80%), you will pass the class.  Those who successfully complete the course will be issued a certificate of completion.  Those who do not complete this course will need to start over again from the beginning in a subsequent course.

Time Management

This course is set up so you can move through it at your own pace.  Your individual time contribution will vary depending on your familiarity with learning management systems and also with your degree of computer savvy.  On average, this course takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete. 

• The modules are set to open sequentially as you complete them.  You will see a green check mark next to the title of each module you have completed.  You must complete everything in the preceding module before the next module will open to you.  You do not need to wait for assignments to be graded in order to continue working.
  
  
• There are NO SET DUE DATES, however, please do not submit everything on the last day of class. 
  
  
• You must complete all of the module assessments before the course ending date to be eligible to receive a passing grade and earn a certificate of completion.
  
  
• Please see the list of assignments at the bottom of this page.
  

How to Print the Syllabus

If you would like to print any pages in Canvas (this page included!), simply highlight/select the area you want to print, click on the File Menu in your browser and then choose to print the selection. For PC's, highlighting the text and then using Ctrl+P works too.