Tips and tricks for using technology for learning at GWMS
Did you know students can leave audio and video responses in Canvas? This is an excellent way to have students practice their oral language development or use their target world language. Instructions for how to set up an audio assignment here and student instructions here. This is also great practice for the WIDA exam. Give it a try!
Looking for a quick way to assess how your students are doing on SOL topics? Or any topic? Try out Canvas quizzes. Easy-to-use and easy-to-track, Canvas quizzes grades for you and gives item analysis. You can even track student progress across quizzes. Listen to our own Diller Matthews explain how he uses Canvas quizzes: Canvas Conversations – Quizzes Want more help on using Canvas Quizzes? Ask Kyle or Jim or check out the Canvas guides What are Quizzes? and What Quiz types can I create in a course?
Have you tried the Speedgrader in Canvas? Speedgrader allows you to comment on and mark up student work that has been submitted through Canvas. Watch this short video of Diller Matthews (8th-Science) explain what he likes about the Assignments and Speedgrader tools in Canvas. Want to know more about the Canvas Speedgrader? Check out these Canvas guides: What Is Speedgrader? More Canvas Guides about Speedgrader
Looking for a good tool for students to organize their thinking or brainstorm? Check out MindMapMaker. Students do not need a log in and can save their mind maps in their Google Drive or take a screenshot and submit to you in Canvas.
Just as students can add their Canvas calendar to their Google calendar, you can add your Canvas calendar to Zimbra. Click here to learn how Importing your Canvas Calendar into Zimbra
The Rubric feature in Canavs allows you to create and share commonly used rubrics. You can add standard criteria or write your own. The rubric is integrated with the Speedgrader so that you can easily use the rubric when grading. More info here: How do I add a rubric to an assignment?
We continue to have some staff and students experiencing what appear to be somewhat random issues with accessing Google Docs in Canvas. Sometimes they are unable to access a Google Cloud assignment and get just an empty white box, other times they end up in a loop requesting over and over that they authorize their Google Drive. Canvas is aware of the problem and working on a fix. In the meantime, here are some troubleshooting tips: http://www.acpsk12.org/canvas/canvas-tips/drive/
There are two ways students can upload Google Drive files to Canvas, here is a super-cool chart to help you and your students understand the two methods: Google Doc vs. Website URL
Parents that already have a PowerSchool account log into their PowerSchool account on a computer and on the left-hand side there is a link to “Log Into Canvas” If a parent doesn’t have a PowerSchool account they should email AAAhelp@acps.k12.va.us or call 703-619-8007. The Canvas app is not currently available.
Profile pictures in Canvas are back! If you haven’t yet uploaded your profile picture, instructions for uploading a profile picture are at: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-13104-4152719731 If a student has an inappropriate profile picture, teachers can report the image by hovering over the picture and clicking the Flag icon. Instructions are at: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12893-4152691015