Starting the School Year

As with any class procedure, students need opportunities for modeling and practice to use an LMS effectively. How can you intentionally support students to become familiar with your Canvas course and other digital tools?

🚪Welcome Video

Teachers typically greet their students as they enter the classroom. This makes them feel welcome and can set the tone for the learning experience. You can create a brief welcome video that your students can view upon accessing your Canvas course. If possible, it may be beneficial for your students to see you and the excitement that you have because they have about the coming school year.

🧭Tour of the Learning Environment

Your students may not be familiar with Canvas. Creating a screencast video that gives them a brief tour can help them acclimate to the online learning environment. You can explain how you have structured and organized the lessons, resources, materials, content, activities, files, and links.

⏰Routines

Will you post assignments, lessons, content, & resources on a daily basis? Will students need to follow a routine? Communicate your routine and procedures for using Canvas with students and families so that they know when to expect new content and feedback.

✏️Common Tasks

Consider the common tasks students will need to complete in Canvas. Some suggestions are listed below by grade band. (These videos are also linked from the Help button on the home page in your Canvas course.)

During live instruction, share your screen in Google Meet to model the tasks, and provide access to screencasts you create and/or the Student Video Guides from Canvas in case students need an asynchronous refresher.

Common Tasks - Elementary

Common Tasks - Middle School

Common Tasks - High School