Terminology Differences MyCourses and Canvas

Assignment

An assignment is any activity assessment that is created by the instructor. Assignments can include Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes. Some assignments are submitted for no grade. Other assignments may be submitted offline but tracked in the Canvas Gradebook or be submitted online.

Assignments is a link in Course Navigation. The Assignments page lists all assignment types in a course.

How do I create an Assignment?

Publish/Unpublish

The Publish/Unpublish feature in Canvas allows instructors to control when course content becomes visible to students. Instructors can choose to publish or unpublish assignments, modules, pages, and other content, providing flexibility in managing student access. Published content is visible to students, while unpublished content is hidden until the instructor is ready to share it.

Publish/Unpublish is available for most content items in Canvas and can be accessed through the item’s settings.

How do I publish or unpublish an Assignment in Canvas?

Item Banks

An Item Bank in Canvas is a repository where instructors can store and manage questions for quizzes, exams, and surveys. Item Banks allow for the creation of question pools, which can be reused across multiple assessments, facilitating efficient test creation and ensuring variety in question selection. Instructors can categorize items by topic, type, or other criteria to organize their question resources effectively.

Item Banks is a link in Course Navigation. The Item Banks page lists all available question banks in a course.

How do I create an Item Bank in Quizzes?

Dashboard

The Dashboard in Canvas serves as the central hub where students and instructors can access their courses and view important updates. It provides a customizable overview of course cards, recent activity, and upcoming assignments or events. The Dashboard allows users to quickly navigate to individual courses and monitor important tasks across all enrolled courses.

Dashboard is the first page displayed upon login and can be tailored to show favorite courses, calendar updates, and announcements.

How do I navigate the Dashboard in Canvas?

Global Navigation

Global Navigation in Canvas is the primary menu that provides easy access to key areas of the platform, such as courses, grades, calendar, inbox, and other important features. It appears on the left side of the screen and is accessible from any page in Canvas, allowing users to quickly navigate between different sections of the LMS.

Global Navigation is available to both instructors and students and can be customized to prioritize frequently used tools for efficient access.

How do I use Global Navigation in Canvas?

Inbox

The Inbox in Canvas is the messaging system that allows instructors and students to communicate directly within the platform. It supports both individual and group conversations, providing a centralized space for sending, receiving, and organizing messages related to courses. The Inbox can be accessed from Global Navigation and includes options to send new messages, reply to existing conversations, and attach files.

The Inbox also integrates with course notifications and can be customized to alert users to new messages or updates.

How do I use the Inbox in Canvas?

Assignment Groups

Assignment Groups in Canvas allow instructors to organize assignments into categories, making it easier to manage grading and track student progress. These groups can be weighted or unweighted, and each group can contain multiple assignments, quizzes, and discussions. Assignment Groups enable instructors to structure their grading in a way that reflects the priorities of the course, such as exams, homework, or participation.

Assignment Groups can be managed from the Grades section in Canvas.

How do I create and manage Assignment Groups in Canvas?

Student View

Student View in Canvas allows instructors to experience the course from a student's perspective, helping them understand how course content and features will appear to students. This view is particularly useful for ensuring that assignments, quizzes, and other course materials are accessible and function as expected. Instructors can switch to Student View at any time to preview the student experience without affecting actual student data.

The Student View can be accessed from the course Settings page.

How do I use Student View in Canvas?

Prerequisites and Requirements

Prerequisites and Requirements in Canvas are tools that allow instructors to set conditions for accessing course content, ensuring students complete certain tasks before progressing. Prerequisites require students to complete specific assignments or modules before moving on, while Requirements set expectations for items like viewing content, submitting assignments, or completing quizzes. These features help guide students through the course in a structured way.

Prerequisites and Requirements can be set for modules in the course settings.

How do I set Prerequisites and Requirements in Canvas?

People

The People section in Canvas allows instructors to manage the members of their course, including students, teaching assistants, and other instructors. Instructors can view a list of all users, add or remove users, and manage roles and permissions within the course. The People page also includes features for viewing participation data and sending messages to individuals or groups.

People can be accessed from the course navigation menu.

Announcements

Announcements in Canvas are used to communicate important updates, reminders, and news to students. Instructors can post announcements that appear on the course homepage and in the Announcements page, which students can view at any time. Announcements can be customized with multimedia and set to notify students via email or other communication methods.

Announcements can be created and managed from the Announcements section of the course.

How do I create an Announcement in Canvas?

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team

ATST@spcollege.edu 

 Phone at 727-341-3500 

(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).

After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu

Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities? 

Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the MyCourses4Faculty Team