Canvas Q&A Webinar
Download a transcript of this webinar in Adobe PDF format.
Additional questions and answers
Q: If I have requested migration, when will I be able to see them? I teach in the summer, and I'd like to use Canvas.
A: If you requested the migration in either of the first two rounds, they should now be complete, and you should see them in Canvas.
Q: My current Canvas landing page has a number of things that currently are "disabled - not visible for students.” They are important things like assignments, quizzes, and rubrics. How do I enable these functions?
A: Click on settings, go to navigation, and either drag them up to the visible part or click the 3 dots and choose enable. Be sure to hit save.
Q: I use a lot of images (jpegs, etc...) for my tests and quizzes. Uploading and creating tests and quizzes in ReggieNet is very labor intensive, and students using various browsers would have issues. Is Canvas easier? Are there instructions to create tests and quizzes that have hi-res images embedded available?
A: I believe it will be easier in Canvas (and I'm hoping the import from one semester to the next will be much less problematic). We do have information regarding creating tests and quizzes, and there should be information about including images. If you can't find that, please contact the Center for help.
Q: Where is the request for migration? Is it re-opened?
A:
https://prodev.illinoisstate.edu/canvas/ See the right sidebar for a migration request.
Q: Can we have access to ReggieNet till Spring of 2024?
A: No, access to ReggieNet will cease on November 30, 2023
Q: Can we begin working on the Canvas courses that will be officially published in the fall right now? I wasn't sure how that works with the sandbox courses.
A: Yes, if it has the title of the course with Fall 2023 it will be what students will see when you hit publish. The sandbox course (in title) won’t have anyone enrolled and is just for you. Can copy things out of it to another course if you want.
Q: Where will the migrated materials show up in Canvas and what will we need to do to use it?
A: All of your Canvas courses (including migrated, actual course shells, and any training courses) are in your Canvas dashboard. You can access it from Canvas.IllinoisState.edu or through My.IllinoisState.edu.
Q: Is there a good way to store resources for students to access throughout the semester in Canvas?
A: I have found either make a “module” called materials with things listed. Or you can make “files” visible, which is like “resources” in Reggienet. This allows for folders and documents stored, but will have all documents in the course visible there.
Q: Can you create page from a module?
A: Create a page first and then link it to the module
Q: As a director I’d like to set up a Canvas page for all majors, allowing new admits access this summer? Is this possible? Also in another department we have pages for Advising and Internships, how do we get those set up as well?
A: We have made available information and a request form for what we are now calling "Special Use" sites here: https://prodev.illinoisstate.edu/canvas/special/
Q: Can we add students manually like we did in ReggieNet?
A: Yes it is.
Q: Can we use OneDrive and link?
A: There will be a OneDrive (and One Note) integration with Canvas, so it will be easier for you to use OneDrive within Canvas.
Q: Can we provide information directly to students from files, or do we need to use pages and modules?
A: Modules is the single point interface for students.
Q: In my migrated course, I see the ReggieNet lessons appear both in the file link and module link. If I made a module from scratch, would I see these on both sites? I am asking because I wonder if I should delete the duplicated documents or not.
A: When you add a file to a module, it is stored in the files. Modules is basically just linking to all the other things in Canvas in the order that you want.
Q: What about graphs as questions/answers for online quizzes? Will they work in Canvas automatically when my databank is migrated?
A: I believe included images should come over with the migration, but obviously you will need to make sure they are there.
Q: Can we get one-on-one assistance for setting up our material in Canvas to make it usable?
A: Absolutely! Please email prodev@ilstu.edu and request a consultation.
Q: When will new faculty gain access to Canvas? We have new professors who starting in the fall.
A: That is dependent on when their paperwork is completed, and they are fully entered into our systems. Be sure to get that paperwork in early and often so that if there are any hiccups or issues there, we all have time to work those issues out in order to expedite that hiring/reappointment process. If you are assigning Graduate Students as instructor of record, similar message there.
Q: Are modules then just a collection of things from your files?
A: Modules are a collection of things from files, pages, links to other elements of the course such as assignments, quizzes, discussions etc.
Q: Will it be duplicating my work to save as Files and Modules?
A: No duplication…as file just gets linked to module. you are not saving a document twice.
Q: Right now, in ReggieNet, I have my course materials in Resources grouped by exam. For instance, Exam 1 material. If I understand the responses I am getting, I would set up modules for Exam 1 material and link it to my materials in files?
A: Yes, this would probably be what you'd want to do.
Q: "When folks have shared their screen, it appears as if the modules are a continuous page that students can scroll through. Can modules be released at certain points in time, or is everything in the module section open?
A: Yes, you can control when a module is published. You can either do it manually or even set a date for it to show on own.
Q: Can we have co-instructors for courses?
A: Yes, you can have. (I think I remember it is called co-teachers)
Q: What is recommended for handling courses that I'm not teaching in the near term, but I do expect to teach again and have a lot of work invested into.
A: Make sure that you have requested migrations for those courses.
Q: Now I think I understand files and modules. Not sure I understand pages yet.
A: Think of pages as a website you create/edit and link it to the module or to syllabus as is necessary.
Q: Do students have to complete a module before going to the next module? Is it possible to make many available at the same time?
A: It is up to you on how you want your students to access the content/activities. In my class, I have most everything available from the start.
Q: What was the name of the module you want us to keep in place in our courses?
A: “For Students”
Q: Can we hide anything on the left? I generally prefer a simpler design, less options at the beginning.
A: Yes, we can… through settings > navigation. That is one of the advantages of using the Module tool - you can hide most of the other tools and give students access to content through the modules.
Q: Having that test student back sounds great.
A: It is an improvement over the way student view worked in ReggieNet.
Q: Can we shut off the inbox in Canvas? I use my primary email for all communications rather than separate inboxes for separate purposes.
A: In a word - No. The Inbox tool is integral to Canvas as a whole (not on a course-by-course basis). So it cannot be turned off.