Canvas questions 9/12/12

Q:  I imported my course successfully into Canvas from Angel.  I've spent a bit of time going through some things, changing dates, updating information, etc.  One thing I've noticed is that my quizzes don't seem to be set up quite right.   For example, the Site quiz in the course:  all the questions are there, when I edit them, they show each question is worth one point, on the quiz settings the entire quiz shows as 10 points possible, but on the modules page the quiz shows as worth 0 points.  What am I missing in setting this all up?

A: Problems with quiz imports is a known issue Will and it's in my video demo of Canvas imports.  Canvas is aware and supposedly looking at a solution.  Whether or not we get one is another issue.  Try this......open the quiz, click on edit this quiz (right toolbar). If it imported like it usually does, the questions will import as a question group worth X points.  First check each question (click on the pencil icon for each to edit) and make sure the point value is correct there. The click on the pencil icon for the group setting. The group will say Choose Y questions worth X points each.  Each time you open an edit screen, click on the update button.  That should take care of the issue. 

Q: I put a file into one of my modules.  The file is a Word doc, but when it loads in Canvas, all my formatting is off.  Do I need to do something with the file or is it just a hiccup in the program?

A: It's a browser issue.  Copying and paste a Word document is usually the source. Word generates quite a bit of junk code with each page.  It also allows formatting that browsers can't read.   The solution is to attach  file. That will force it to download into Word.  To prevent the issue, avoid using Word.  Create documents iyou're going to copy and paste into Canvas (or Angel) n a plain text editor such as Notepad.  Or use an HTML editor.  Green River has Microsoft Expressions Web available or you can use one of your own.  For Mac users, here are the directions for using a plain text editor.  http://support.apple.com/kb/TA20406

Q: Is there a graphic calendar in Canvas for the students to see and print?

A:Students can print any calendar page or sync it with Google calendar, Outlook. or any calendar program that accepts an iCal feed.  I demo that in my calendar videos.  https://www.gatornet.greenriver.edu/elearning/canvas_help.html

Q: Can I tie a rubric easily to the collaborative project?

A: You can't add a collaboration as an assignment. Here's a workaround. Create an assignment with and online submission, allow a web URL so students can link to the document (works better in Google docs), and then attach your rubric to the assignment. 

Q:I use Google Docs extensively for assignments. I understand that there is a way to make it so that I can select google docs as a submission option, but I can't seem to find it.

A: There is no direct connection with Google docs so you can allow a website URL as an online assignment submission option.  Students can link to their Google doc.  Or you can set up a collaboration in google docs.   The latter would be a tedious process though since collaborations are really meant to be used for collaborations among students or students and faculty.

Q: Does Canvas save my course as I create it?

A: Canvas operates in the cloud so your course is safely (as safely as technology can be) saved.  Always a good idea to have a backup.  Export your course and save it locally.

Q: Will Tegrity be available in Canvas or do we have to send our students to Angel for T videos?

A: We're hoping to have Tegrity linked to Canvas before the quarter starts or shortly thereafter.  Tegrity is working on creating the link.  In the meantime, you can do generate a URL for each vid and paste them into Canvas.  You can also have your students login to Tegrity directly here  https://greenriver.tegrity.com/TegrityUtils/Login.aspx
As long as your Angel class that has the videos in it is not set to editors only but all members instead, they will see the class in Tegrity.

Q: Can I just import my Angel quizzes into Angel?

A: Yes you can.  Just export only your Angel quizzes (remove the checks from everything but quizzes) and then import that file into Canvas. But keep in mind, there are problems with an Angel import of quizzes.

Canvas questions 9/10/12

Q: Is there a way to change the labels on the tabs on the navigation bar on the left side of the course?

A: No way to change the names of the buttons on the left navigation toolbar. 

Q: In Angel, we could cut and paste quiz questions from a word document and create a complete quiz.  Can this be done in Canvas or do we need to type each question and answer in separately?

A: Canvas doesn't have a Paste from Word option.  Browsers don't like text pasted from Word so it isn't advisable.  Plus, pasting from Word creates a very large file for very little text.  The Canvas course limit is 500MB so you don't want a lot of unnecessary code in your class.  If you can create the test in Notepad or Expressions Web, you can paste from either of those using keyboard commands (Control+C and Control+V).  Otherwise, doing it manually is the best option unliss you can import from a publisher’s test bank.

Q: Can you import a text file (.txt) to create a question bank in Canvas?

A: No import option for a text file.  You can import into Canvas using the Import content into the course tool.  Assuming you're using a test bank, export from the test bank in an Angel format if available and if not Bb 6 or greater. Then go to settings>Import content into the course (right toolbar)>import content from a content package or from another system>from the dropdown, choose either Angel or Bb depending on your export.  That's the only option for now. 

Canvas released to our test group

Today is a big day for us.  We released Canvas to our test group for fall quarter.  Our Canvas site is https://egator.greenriver.edu/. Our help site for faculty is here https://www.gatornet.greenriver.edu/elearning/canvas_help.html  It's a work in progress so check back often for new material. 

Canvas questions and answers.

• I would like to try it for many fall classes. How would I go about creating a shell?
• Creating classes will remain an admin function.  We’re still writing the programs that will load classes/users and probably won’t be done until next month sometime.  We’ll update the campus.
• Will we be using Tegrity with Canvas? 
• Yes we will.
• Is fall the last quarter we can use Angel or can we use it the entire academic year?
• Spring 2013 will be the last quarter for Angel
• If there's little time to train face-to-face on Canvas before the fall quarter begins, can I just use Angel again?
• Yes, we suspect most faculty will be using Angel in the fall.
• Point of clarification.....will you still be loading everything into Angel as well as into Canvas in the fall?
• Yes we will.  We'll continue to load everything in both systems through spring 2013 which will be the last quarter for Angel.

New Canvas update

We have our Canvas installation and are in the process of configuring and testing it.  We anticipate being done with the testing by the end of August if all goes well.  As we said before, our plan is to load all fall classes into Canvas.  We’ve asked people to test it for us and will want feedback from them but anyone is welcome to use it. As soon as we get it configured, we’ll start working on training materials.   If you plan on using Canvas in the fall, there are a couple of caveats though…..if you do choose to use it, it is with the understanding that we’ll all be learning so you can expect a few bumps in the road.  The second one….because we’ll be testing until the end of August, there will be a tight turn around time for fall.  And finally, all the training materials may not be ready.  Right now, we’re working on a training course that we’ll enroll everyone in.  Our training videos will probably take most of fall quarter to complete.  If you’re willing to live with that, you’re welcome to use it. 

We’ll have face-to-face training sessions scheduled as soon as we can, hopefully by the end of August.    We have two sessions scheduled for opening week.  We’ll update you on our progress. 

Canvas update

The state still hasn’t finalized a contract with Canvas so there is still a bit of tentativeness to this.  The state is almost ready to sign so if nothing changes from what we know now (we don’t expect changes), we’ll have Canvas sometime in July.  The eLearning office will start working on configurations and training materials.  Here’s our current plan:

·         eLearning will begin configuring Canvas as soon as we have access

·         We will create faculty accounts and classes as soon as we can

·         Training materials will be created

o   we’ll use those created by the state committee and those provided by Canvas

o   we’ll begin recording videos as we did with Angel

·         We plan to start offering training in late August and continue throughout the next academic year and beyond.

o   We’ll send email when we have dates

o   We’re planning hands on training.  We’ll help you build your class in Canvas

o   There is a tool that will allow you to import your Angel files but they will have to be moved around a bit.

·         We plan to load all courses and all user accounts (faculty, staff, and students) in both systems (Angel and Canvas) starting in the fall and continuing forward

·         We plan on having both Angel and Canvas until the end of spring 2013

o   spring 2013 will be the last quarter for Angel

·         All courses will have to be on Canvas starting next summer quarter 2013.

We’d love to hear from you if you are willing to run a course in Canvas in the fall to help us test.  We know it’s a lot to ask because we probably won’t have courses and accounts in Canvas until late August. That makes for a pretty quick turn around for a fall class. You’ll have to be comfortable with a bit of ambiguity since we’ll all be learning in the fall.  If you’re interested, please email me and know we really appreciate your help.

New question

Queston:  I realize that Angel is with us spring of 13, but I’m starting a new class and would like to construct it in Canvas. When is the earliest we’ll be able to use it with students?
Answer: We don’t have an answer to that question yet and won’t until the state writes the contract.  If we have the ability to make our own decisions, it would be fall 2012 for a small group of testers.  If we have to wait for consensus from the other 33 CTCs, it could be 2 or more quarters later.