Questions 10/19/12
Q: Is there a way to change the point value of quizzes imported from Angel without doing it one question at a time? (When you import quizzes from Angel, the point value for each question is 0)
A: There is no way to change the point values of questions all at once. One at a time is the only way.
Q: I have an assignment set up for an online submission. Because I want to use Crocodoc, I restricted the file types to .doc and .docx. Now the students can't submit their documents. What happened?
A: When you restrict file types, don't use periods before the file types. Type the file extension with a comma between each and no spaces. It should look like this: doc,docx,pdf
Q: A test student has appeared in my gradebook. Is there a way to delete it?
A: As of now, no. That happens when you to into your class using the student view. Canvas is working on a solution that will delete test student when you exit that view.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Question 10/10/12
Q: I see an entry in my gradebook for Test Student. It doesn't show up on my roster. Can it be deleted?
A: Test Student is created when you use the Student View in your course. Currently it is added to the gradebook but not the roster (people). There is no way to delete or hide it. That is a feature request so Canvas is looking into it. We may see it go away in a future update. As long as you don't enter grades for that student, it shouldn't affect your overall percentages.
Q: I see an entry in my gradebook for Test Student. It doesn't show up on my roster. Can it be deleted?
A: Test Student is created when you use the Student View in your course. Currently it is added to the gradebook but not the roster (people). There is no way to delete or hide it. That is a feature request so Canvas is looking into it. We may see it go away in a future update. As long as you don't enter grades for that student, it shouldn't affect your overall percentages.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Question 10/5012
Q: Can I restrict the release of modules to specific groups in Canvas.
A: You cannot. You can control the release of assignments to a particular group but not modules. Below is a proposed structrue.
If you do it this way, all the groups will see the module names but only the members of a group will see their assignments.
Q: Can I restrict the release of modules to specific groups in Canvas.
A: You cannot. You can control the release of assignments to a particular group but not modules. Below is a proposed structrue.
Group 1 (module name and everyone in the
class would see it)
·
Put all the assignments/lectures/etc. for
group 1 in this module
·
Add everything as an assignment and
restrict the assignment to group 1
·
Put lectures, etc in as non-graded
assignments.
Group 2 (module name and everyone in the
class would see it)
·
Same here
Group 3 (module name and everyone in the
class would see it)
·
Same here
If you do it this way, all the groups will see the module names but only the members of a group will see their assignments.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Canvas Alert! Canvas updates their product on a regular basis and that includes adding new features. Most of the updates involve bug fixes and performance improvements but occasionally there are added or changed features. It's reasonable to assume that one or more of your course functions will change during the course of a quarter. The adds/changes to features are desirable updates and come from the long list of users requests. You can follow product updates here http://help.instructure.com/forums/337224-product-release-notes. It's possible one or more of these changes may affect the way your students interact in your class. For this reason, it's advisable to add text similar to the following to your syllabus:
"As the quarter progresses, Canvas may make updates that will change the way you interact in our class. If that happens, I'll let you know what you need to do differently. And I assure you that any changes will not affect your grade in the course. Because these can happen at any time, it's critically important that you check your class regularly for update notifications. Missing a notification will not be an excuse to miss assignments."
Question:
Q:How can I delete students that have dropped my class?
A: Because of the way Canvas works, delete is now an admin function. It's part of our automatic daily updates. We add newly enrolled students and remove those that have dropped.
Q:What is the latest update?
A: The latest update added a really neat feature. It added a new file viewer that allows you to comment within a document submitted by your students as an assignment. To use it, you have to set up an assignment with an online submission. Then only put a check next to Allow File Uploads. Then, using more options, restrict the file type to Crocodoc supported types -- doc/docx, pdf, ppt/pptx and xls/xlsx. Then when you go to Speedgrader and select your student, the submission will be visible in Crocodoc and you can make comments similar to track changes in Word. This makes it unnecessary to download the file, use track changes and then upload the changed file. You can only use Crocodoc with supported file types. If you forget to restrict the file types and a student submits an .rtf file for example, you will only be able to read the file but not comment in it. You can still add comments in the grading comment box available with all assignments but they don’t appear on the document. Video demo available on the Canvas help site.
"As the quarter progresses, Canvas may make updates that will change the way you interact in our class. If that happens, I'll let you know what you need to do differently. And I assure you that any changes will not affect your grade in the course. Because these can happen at any time, it's critically important that you check your class regularly for update notifications. Missing a notification will not be an excuse to miss assignments."
Question:
Q:How can I delete students that have dropped my class?
A: Because of the way Canvas works, delete is now an admin function. It's part of our automatic daily updates. We add newly enrolled students and remove those that have dropped.
Q:What is the latest update?
A: The latest update added a really neat feature. It added a new file viewer that allows you to comment within a document submitted by your students as an assignment. To use it, you have to set up an assignment with an online submission. Then only put a check next to Allow File Uploads. Then, using more options, restrict the file type to Crocodoc supported types -- doc/docx, pdf, ppt/pptx and xls/xlsx. Then when you go to Speedgrader and select your student, the submission will be visible in Crocodoc and you can make comments similar to track changes in Word. This makes it unnecessary to download the file, use track changes and then upload the changed file. You can only use Crocodoc with supported file types. If you forget to restrict the file types and a student submits an .rtf file for example, you will only be able to read the file but not comment in it. You can still add comments in the grading comment box available with all assignments but they don’t appear on the document. Video demo available on the Canvas help site.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, September 10, 2012
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.
Friday, August 31, 2012
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.
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