Enhancements Coming to CarmenCanvas
There are several new features coming to CarmenCanvas this spring that are designed to improve the teaching and learning experience. From participation roster widgets to Office integration, from an improved gradebook to enhanced quizzing capabilities, there is so much in store for you to explore in the LMS for next semester!
Participation Roster
All instructors are required to complete a participation roster for their courses. To make this easier, the Office of Distance Education and eLearning (ODEE) created a widget that will let instructors complete this federal requirement automatically in CarmenCanvas. At the start of spring semester, you will be able to select an assignment for each of your active courses. Students’ completion of this assignment will be submitted to the Registrar and will automatically update the course’s participation roster in the Faculty Center.
Office 365 Integration
This spring, Office 365 will be enabled across the Canvas LMS, allowing instructors and students to use the collaboration feature in Canvas to share Office documents and files. There will also be an option for an Office 365 assignment type.
Please note that Office 365 is not available for employees of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
New Gradebook
Canvas will be releasing a new and improved Gradebook, available in January 2018. Instructors will have the option to toggle this new feature on in each of their courses. Please note, once you have switched to the new version of Gradebook, you cannot reverse your decision in that course. Canvas will be releasing functionality for this new Gradebook throughout spring semester on an agile project timeline. During the 2018-2019 academic year, all courses will begin using the new gradebook.
New Quiz Tool
Instructure has announced that the new quiz tool (code named Quizzes.Next) will be available in Canvas during spring semester. Instructors will be able to continue using the current quiz tool while they explore the possibilities of the new version.
NameCoach Pilot
NameCoach software integrates with Canvas and allows students to record a proper pronunciation of their name and select gender pronouns. Instructors will have access to this information so they can correctly identify students in their classes. ODEE will be piloting this software during spring semester, with plans for a full release in fall semester 2018.
Canvas Teacher App
Released in July, the Canvas Teacher App allows you to use SpeedGrader to browse student submissions and provide feedback; communicate with students through course announcements, messages and discussions; update existing assignments to correct spelling errors, change due dates and adjust settings; and so much more! If you haven’t yet, be sure to download Canvas Teacher for iOS and Android.
Also, be on the lookout for the Canvas by Instructure app to change its name in the app store to Canvas Student.
Teaching in CarmenCanvas Site
This new site is where the Office of Distance Education and eLearning (ODEE) has been highlighting how faculty are using the LMS to improve their teaching and learning strategy. You can find best practices, faculty “show and tell” features, templates and models to use in your courses and links to useful community discussions. Fresh content will be available at the start of the semester to inspire your course creation.