Summary
Canvas LMS Collaborations provide an easy way to integrate real-time and asynchronous group work into your in-person classes. This tool allows you and your students to co-edit shared documents (Google Docs or Microsoft 365) directly within Canvas, eliminating the need for email exchanges and ensuring all collaboration materials are organized in one place.
Body
Summary
Canvas LMS Collaborations provide an easy way to integrate real-time and asynchronous group work into your in-person classes. This tool allows you and your students to co-edit shared documents (Google Docs or Microsoft 365) directly within Canvas, eliminating the need for email exchanges and ensuring all collaboration materials are organized in one place.
Environment
Canvas, O365
Content
Canvas LMS Collaborations are designed to bring the power of shared digital workspaces into your classroom, making group activities more efficient and organized. Whether you’re facilitating real-time brainstorming or managing ongoing group projects, Collaborations allow students to co-author documents using integrated tools like Microsoft 365, all within the Canvas environment.
Why Use Collaborations for In-Person Classes?
- Centralized Access: No more juggling multiple platforms—students can access shared documents directly from your Canvas course.
- Enhanced Engagement: Encourage active participation during class by creating collaborative notes or project outlines that everyone can edit in real time.
- Streamlined Workflow: Reduce email clutter and version confusion by keeping all collaboration materials in one secure location.
When to Use Collaborations
- Group projects that require shared document editing.
- In-class activities like brainstorming sessions or collaborative note-taking.
- Assignments where students need to work together outside of class but maintain a single source of truth.
Best Practices
- Choose the Right Integration: Microsoft 365 is often preferred for institutional accounts, and is the only fully supported option for UHCL users.
- Prepare Students: Ensure students authorize their accounts in Canvas before starting a collaboration to avoid access issues.
- Set Clear Expectations: Define roles, deadlines, and deliverables for group work to keep collaboration productive.
- Monitor Progress: Use Canvas’s built-in tools to track participation and provide timely feedback.
Getting Started with Canvas Collaborations
Follow these steps to set up and use Collaborations in your in-person class:
Step 1 - Enable Collaborations in Your Course
- Navigate to your Canvas course.
- Go to Settings > Navigation and ensure Collaborations is visible in the course menu.
Step 2 - Choose Your Integration
- Select the Microsoft 365 option.
- Confirm that you and your students have active accounts for the chosen platform. NOTE: All UHCL faculty, staff, and students have UHCL-provided Microsoft accounts.
Step 3 - Authorize Accounts
- In Canvas, click Collaborations and authorize your account.
- Instruct students to do the same before starting any collaborative activity.
Step 4 - Create a Collaboration
- Click Start a Collaboration.
- Choose the document type (Word, Excel, or Google Doc).
- Add participants (individual students or groups).
Step 5 - Set Clear Expectations
- Provide instructions on roles, deadlines, and deliverables.
- Share guidelines for real-time editing during class.
Step 6 - Monitor and Support
- Check progress through the shared document.
- Offer feedback and troubleshoot access issues promptly.
Additional Resources
Need Additional Help?
On behalf of OIT’s Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) team, we hope this tutorial is useful. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions related to this procedure, please 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). Once we receive your inquiry, a member of the IDT team will contact you as quickly as resources permit.