The MSUN Office of Teaching & Learning Excellence (OTLE) hosts a three-phase training series introducing our new full-time and adjunct faculty to the Canvas LMS prior to the start of the semester. These three phases will occur on separate days (either in person or via Microsoft Teams), scheduled between OTLE Staff and each new instructor. 

Returning adjunct faculty are expected to contact OTLE Staff prior to the start of each semester to arrange a face-to-face or virtual "check-in" appointment. This meeting will help OTLE ensure that your Canvas questions are being addressed and that we have had a chance to review the Canvas Pre-Semester Checklist with you. 

Canvas Pre-Semester Checklist

Canvas Training Series for New Faculty

Please ensure you have worked with your dean/chair and Sue Solomon at the MSUN Bookstore to gain access to the textbook for your course prior to meeting about Brightspace. You can also ask your dean/chair for copies of past syllabi for the course.

If you need additional guidance with this process, contact OTLE Director, Emilee Luke.

Your MSUN email can be accessed at outlook.office365.com To log in, use the NetID that was given to you, and create the username [NetID]@msun.edu and then use the temporary password you filled in on the Goldenrod form. Once you've logged in, you'll be prompted to set up a permanent password. 

If you need additional guidance with this process, contact OTLE Director, Emilee Luke.

Phase 1 trainings are offered in person and virtually. Please register with Jason here or register with Brittany here. If you'd prefer a virtual meeting, let us know in the "Notes" section of the booking page and we will send you a meeting link. 

In Phase 1, OTLE will present you with a general overview of the Canvas LMS. 

You will learn:

  • How to log into Canvas
  • How to find and navigate between your courses
  • How to use the Canvas Inbox and People tab
  • How to distinguish between general campus email and the Canvas Inbox
  • How to use the Announcement tool in your courses
  • What examples of effective course design look like, from a student perspective
  • How students interact with Canvas (Inbox, notifications, progress, etc.)
  • What various assessment options exist in Canvas
  • Some Gradebook basics (points vs. weighted systems)

At the end of this phase, OTLE will help you develop goals based on your needs before moving on to Phase 2. We will ask you to bring a syllabus draft to the next meeting, which we will schedule at this time. 

Phase 2, OTLE will work individually with you to help you learn how to use the different Canvas tools you want to incorporate into your courses. We ask that you have your syllabus ready (or at least a general idea of graded items and their weight in the course). OTLE will also use this time to answer any of your questions. This phase will be more individualized to your specific needs as an instructor using Canvas.

You will learn:

  • How to use the tools you need (Quizzes, Assignments, Discussions)
  • How to use the Modules area tools
  • How to create the general structure of your Gradebook
  • How to use the Attendance tool
  • How to use the Canvas pre-semester checklist prior to the course start date

 

After Phase 2, we also strongly recommend that you attend a Canvas work party session (open to all faculty) prior to the beginning of class, for additional face-to-face support with your course design goals. 

 

If you are not able to attend a work party session but need additional support, no problem! Simply contact any of the OTLE staff to schedule individual sessions.

In Phase 3, OTLE will meet with you after the first week of classes. This check-in will serve as a general meeting to answer any questions and ensure everything is going smoothly for you and your students. 

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