Feature articles:
LMS policy updates you need to know
Canvas has updated their policies regarding course enrollment and non-catalog course sites. Review the updates, why they were implemented, and what will change in your course workflow.
External tools scheduled for updates the week of May 27
Two third-party tools currently integrated into Canvas will be updated during the week of May 27: W. W. Norton and Cidi Labs MultiTool. Learn more about these updates and the steps you may need to take to ensure a seamless transition.
What’s New:
- Final Reminder: Discussions UI enforcement! The updated Discussions interface—available since 2021—will be applied to all courses beginning May 29. Find out more about the redesign and enable it in your course for a preview. Also, check the Workshops calendar and register for an upcoming overview session.
- Spring 2024 is the last semester to evaluate the Gradescope pilot and provide your feedback. Review the latest update. The pilot will continue to monitor spring 2024 usage data prior to its adoption review this summer. If you have created a Gradescope course associated with your Canvas course, please complete the Gradescope Faculty Feedback Spring 2024 Survey.
- iClicker users: Review the Poll Everywhere attendance management feature policy. If you allow mobile devices for iClicker class participation and enable the attendance feature, the same policy applies. Requiring students to share geolocation data is contrary to the University’s privacy policy. If classroom attendance is mandatory, please request that students purchase an iClicker device and allow iClicker remotes only for participation.
Did you know:
- May 16, 2024 marks the 13th anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). To help celebrate and raise awareness of GAAD, we are asking you to fix at least one piece of digital content using Ally in Canvas. To learn more, consider joining an accessibility challenge listed under Training and Events. Departments can request accessibility reports for their unit by submitting a consultation request.
- Fall 2018 through summer 2019 Canvas course sites will conclude the week of August 19, 2024, as part of the course data retention process. This process helps faculty and students clear old courses from their All Courses list. Remember, you will not be able to access these sites after they are concluded to obtain course content, student submissions, or grading information. Review the steps to prepare for the conclusion of these course sites.
- Canvas data can help you ask the right questions. Instructors and Canvas administrators can view data regarding course usage, student activity, grading and more. If you are interested in learning more about data available for your Canvas course sites, request an individual or departmental consultation.
- Need help wrapping up for the semester? Consider these Canvas@UD resources to help tame the end-of-semester chaos: End of Term Checklist, End-of-Semester Grading Tips, and How to manage student course access.
- Looking for assistance with Canvas? Find resources quickly using Canvas Help in the blue global navigation menu. New links have been added for the IT-ATS Virtual Welcome Bar, start and end-of-term checklists, and the miscellaneous site request form.
Training & Events:
Innovative Teaching Strategies: June 3 – June 28
If you are looking for ideas to freshen up your courses by incorporating new strategies or educational technology tools, join us for the Innovative Teaching Strategies (ITS) workshop from June 3 to June 28, 2024, or you can request a custom cohort session. Learn more about the ITS workshop and register.
10-Day Accessibility Challenges:
These online asynchronous courses give you snack-size bites of accessibility to apply to your Canvas courses over 10 days. Make accessibility updates easier by using the tips and ideas provided each day to help make the University’s digital content accessible to everyone. This summer, two challenges will be offered!
- The 10-day Accessibility Challenge (June 17 – June 28) is for beginners hoping to learn the basics such as headings, lists, links, alternate text, and color contrast. Register here.
- The 10-day Advanced Accessibility Challenge (July 15 – July 26) is for those looking to take the next step in making their digital content more accessible, including how to make Word documents and PDFs accessible for use in your Canvas courses. Register here.
Keep Calm Teach On (KCTO): August 20-21
KCTO, a just-in-time workshop series for instructors, is scheduled to return on August 20-21. Visit the KCTO website for updates.
Summer Institute on Teaching (SIT)
Several Canvas topics will be discussed during the upcoming Summer Institute on Teaching (SIT) on May 29 and May 30, 2024.
Canvas Workshops
We offer a variety of monthly workshops, so be sure to check out our Workshops calendar to learn more and register, or submit a consultation request for a customized workshop for your department or program.
