I’m a new instructor. How do I get started in Canvas?

Summary

Whether you’re new to Canvas or you’ve used Canvas before and are just new to UHCL’s system, OIT’s Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) team can help you get off to a great start setting up Canvas for your classes.

Content

Feel free to review the resources provided below and use the ones that best fit your needs. If you prefer a more “formal” comprehensive training, the IDT team currently offers that in two delivery modes:

• 100% Asynchronous Self-Paced Online (Growing with Canvas) Training -  All instructors should already have access to the Growing with Canvas training shell and an empty "sandbox" shell in which to practice and complete assignments during the online course. If you don't see tiles for these on your Canvas dashboard, please notify the team via email (IDT@uhcl.edu), and we'll get those set up for you ASAP. IMPORTANT! If you take the online version, please email our team upon completion.
• Hybrid Video-Based Training - Attend the 30-minute Orientation Session (in-person or virtually) at 9:30 AM on Friday, (2) Watch the Two Videos [~45 minutes each] and answer the embedded questions on Friday anytime between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and (3) Attend the 60-minute Capstone Session (in-person or virtually) at 3:00 PM on Friday.

To register for the new Blended Video-Based version of the training or to gain access to the 100% Online Asynchronous option, simply send an email to IDT@uhcl.edu!

There are also numerous asynchronous online, live training webinars, and recorded training sessions available via the Canvas Training Portal. For more information about the Canvas Training Portal, including where to find it and how to register for training sessions, please review the IDT team's video tutorial, Crash Course - Canvas Training Portal [3:02].

IDT Interactive Lessons

• Faculty Canvas Support Options
• About the UHCL Canvas Template
• Canvas Basics Part 1 - Course Navigation Links
• Canvas Basics Part 2 - Understanding Modules
• Canvas Course Design Essentials: Creating Engaging and Interactive Courses
• Utilizing Modules in Canvas
• Adding and Creating Items in Modules
• Student-Student and Instructor-Instructor Communication in Canvas

Canvas-Hosted Video Tutorials

• Canvas Overview for Instructors [5:24]
• Canvas Video - Announcements Overview [2:16]
• Canvas Video - Files Overview (Instructors) [2:54]
• Canvas Video - Pages Overview (Instructors) [3:24]
• Canvas Video - Inbox Overview (All Users) [4:12]
• Canvas Video - Rich Content Editor (All Users) [5:00]
• Canvas Video - Discussions Overview (Instructors) [5:18]
• Canvas Video - Assignments Overview (Instructors) [4:14]
• Canvas Video - Quizzes Overview (Instructors) [4:34]

Additional Resources

• IDT Document: Canvas Start-of-Semester Checklist
• Vendor Support Page: Canvas Basics Guide
• Vendor Support Page: Canvas Instructor Guide
• Vendor Support Page: Instructor Getting Started Resources

Need Additional Help?

On behalf of OIT’s Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) team, we hope this information is useful. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions related to this procedure, please contact us via either of the following options:

• Contact our colleagues in OIT’s Support Center to have a help ticket created and assigned to the IDT team. You may contact the Support Center via email (supportcenter@uhcl.edu) or by telephone (281.283.2828).
• Contact the IDT team directly via an email to IDT@uhcl.edu.

Once we receive your inquiry, a member of the IDT team will contact you as quickly as resources permit.