CTL Blog

Canvas LMS

What’s New in Canvas for Fall 2018

Greetings MCC Faculty and Staff

Welcome to a new semester. If you’ve been away from Canvas we’ve got a summarized list of what may be new to you when you return to getting your course content put together:

  • Module DuplicationPreviously, course content items could only be duplicated individually. With the recent Modules update, instructors can duplicate entire modules. If your module has a quiz in it the module cannot be duplicated.
    How Do I Duplicate a Module?
  • Section Specific AnnouncementsInstructors can now create section-specific announcements in their courses. When creating an announcement, instructors can select to send the announcement to all sections, one section, or multiple sections.
    How Do I Create a Section-Specific Announcement?
  • Inactive Role – (This behavior will begin Aug 25th)

    Statement from DO ITS:Title IV Reporting Improvements (Last Day of Attendance) – ITS and the Office of the General Counsel’s Compliance division, with input from faculty and staff from around the district, developed an application that will assist faculty in reporting more accurate Last Day of Attendance(LDA) dates to the student information system (SIS).  This allows for accurate reporting of Title IV funding to the federal government and reduces financial audits at the college and district levels.  The system will query Maricopa’s online learning management studio presenting appropriate options to faculty and will launch the beginning of August – prior to the start of the fall semester.”

    To support last day of attendance and other operational issues regarding student activity not being available when a student has a withdrawn status in SIS, they have been getting deleted on the Canvas side.The DO ITS team in charge of SIS->Canvas interface has decided to make use of the inactive status in Canvas with the SIS interface so that students who are withdrawn will not have access to their Canvas course but their data will still remain in the course.Faculty will likely notice this in two areas of the course:

 

  1. The Canvas grade book, but only if they show the option to display inactive students

    and
  2. The people tab. All students who have ever enrolled in the course will always display here so this will make the list longer than it has in the past. This first semester is an introduction to this method and you may receive calls for support about the inactive tag showing up in the people tab or instructors wanting information about dropped students.

    Here’s another institution’s description of the purpose and effect:

    https://stritch.instructure.com/courses/2566/pages/inactive-status-for-students-new-process

    See https://ep.maricopa.edu/ERP/canvas/Pages/Last-Day-of-Attendance-Changes-Fall-2018.aspx to see the offical MCCCD statement about this change.

  • Stacking Replies in DocviewerWhen users view comments for a DocViewer-supported document, comments with replies are stacked together. The number of replies is indicated for the comment thread. Users can click the first comment to expand and view all additional comments.
    image of Canvas student docviewer replies that are stacked on top of each other

    Stacked replies is now in DocViewer

     

  • Badgr is the official Canvas badging solution supported by Instructure. Look for special communication about using Badges in your Canvas courses.
silhouette of an argument

Discussions on Divisive Topics

Classroom discussions can be exciting, invigorating, and provide students with opportunities to connect, not only to your content, but to each other and you as the professor. Sometimes though, topics can be divisive or challenging to address. Maintaining and encouraging civil discourse can be challenging. Recently, The Chronicle of Higher Education approached this very topic with an article on a classroom strategy called “Reflective Structured Dialogue.” With this approach conversations begin first with a story rather than an opinion. There is a story behind why we have our opinions that we do, this approach has us share that story rather than the opinion itself. A story about how or why they have the opinion helps frame our opinions and starts the conversation on a more personal and respectful level. Read the full article here at The Chronicle.

If you want to learn more about Reflective Structured Dialogue watch this webinar offered by American Library Associations.

Design Safari

Design Principles

Upgrade your OER, documents, slide decks, and other content from good to great by identifying effective layouts, accessible content, and implementing proven design techniques.

When: Thursday, 11/30 OR Friday, 12/1​
Times: 4:30-5:30pm OR 1:00pm-2:00pm
Location: CTL AS-175

Sign up through Maricopa Learn keyword Design Principles.

Films on Demand Discounted Dreams

Discounted Dreams

High Hopes and Harsh Realities of America’s Community Colleges

It’s the 10th anniversary of the PBS documentary on Community Colleges in the US; “Discounted Dreams: High Hopes and Harsh Realities of America’s Community Colleges.” Join us to watch it (55 minutes) then let’s discuss what is our reality now? As we reach a tipping point district wide; a time for transformation, what will MCC value? How do we see learning in the 21st Century? What do we want to transform ourselves into? Join us for snacks, a movie, and dynamic conversation about the heart of what we do in the lives of our students.

Wed, November 29, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
AS160 – CTL Lobby
Cranium Cafe, because human connection matters.

Cranium Cafe for Virtual Office Hours

November 30 & December 1

CONNECT WITH YOUR ONLINE STUDENTS

Join the CTL Staff to Learn More

Dates: Thursday, 11/30 OR Friday, 12/1​
Times: 3:30-4:30pm OR 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: CTL AS-175
Workshop Description: Cranium Cafe integrates with Canvas and enables students to virtually connect with you and receive the support they need in the same way they would during your face-to-face office hours. You’ll be able to provide homework help, screen-share, complete test reviews, provide tutoring, and other just-in-time support.

MORE INFO

 

Fall leaves on trees.

Fall is upon us

Inspire Learning with the CTLOk, truthfully, as a native New Englander, I always struggle with Fall semester beginning when it is over 100 degrees every day but alas, here we are, pouring the chlorine into the pool to keep it from greening over in our absence and moving the sun block back into the cabinet while pulling out our academic bags that have been collecting dust in our offices since May.

While many of us have been here throughout the summer, the pace is most definitely slower. For those of you who unplugged – kudos – and welcome back. Next week we will find the college transform as our students return- bringing with them a new energy, new aspirations for the semester, and new hopes for their future. While you are busy prepping for your new sections for the semester, redesigning your Canvas classrooms, rethinking some of your activities, redrafting your syllabi, and reassessing your grading, allow us to help should you run into any road blocks- be it technical or mental.

We look forward to working with you this academic year as you teach and inspire so many students and welcome the opportunity to hear about your new ideas for your teaching. We have many opportunities this semester to engage in some learning opportunities around college initiatives such as zero cost textbooks, HSI in the classroom, flipped learning, hybrid, online, new technologies, assessment both formative and summative, and so much more. We look forward to working with you to help your students learn and engage in your course content for greater student success. Here are a few opportunities for this week alone…although also a note, we have two Saturdays this semester we are offering pd experiences in case you find the weeks too busy to spend some time here.  CTL calendar of events

Wednesday August 16

  • 9:00 Canvas: What’s New Since May
  • 10:00 Exploring the Canvas Community
  • 1:00 Google in Canvas
  • 2:00 Canvas: Rubrics & Outcomes
  • 3:00 Canvas: Syllabus & Assignments

Thursday August 17

  • 9:00-11:00 Assessment for Learning
  • 12:30-2:30 Course Alignment: From Learning Outcomes to Assessment

Friday August 18

Three evergreen trees with camp inspired text.

Last Call! CTL-FSS Camp Inspired Registration

The CTL has partnered with FSS to offer three days of professional development for faculty and staff. The full program is now available for review. Register before 5PM on 5-10-17. Space is limited.

May 15, 17-18 • View the Full Program

Compensation Available

  1. Residential faculty may earn up to 14.0 clock hours of FPG.
  2. A stipend of $110.00 for the first full day completed and verified through the CTL. A stipend of $137.50 each for the second and third full days completed and verified through FSS.  Funding is limited; priority will be assigned by registration date. That’s $385.00 to attend all three days!

Hourly breakdown: ($27.50 x 4 hours x 1 day) +  ($27.50 x 5 hours x 2 days)

Participating faculty will need to fill out all necessary paperwork, including daily evaluation and assessment forms. To be eligible for stipends, MCC faculty members must have taught during the 2016-2017 Academic Year and not reached their summer load limit. This includes Residential, OYO, OSO, and Adjunct faculty. HR will check load before processing assignments for payment.

Pre-Conference (5/15): FMS 2017 Upgrade Overview • HCM Course: 002771 Session: 0001

DAY 1 (5/15): GRAB YOUR PACK AND GET HIKING • Session Full

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will kick off camp with a day filled with learning. Student Affairs staff will find connections with inclusive practices for serving diverse students.

Mid-Conference (5/16): MCLI Tech Conference • Registration: mcli.maricopa.edu/node/47991

DAY 2 (5/17): BLOOMING DESERT SCAVENGER HUNT • HCM Course: 002755 Session: 0001

Day 2 is focused on topics that integrate an array of tools for supporting students from recruitment to instruction. Keynote, Robin Ozz, will share current practices and trends for developmental learners.

DAY 3 (5/18): GRAND CANYON JEEP TOUR • HCM Course: 002756 Session: 0001

Day 3 will challenge faculty and staff to engage in refined practices to elevate the student experience at MCC. Keynote, Caron Sada, will introduce the entrepreneurial mindset for community engagement and career readiness. Select sessions will demonstrate alignment to MCC’s GPS and HSI initiatives.

Camp InspirEd

Join us for Camp Inspired May 15, 17-18!

Come to Camp Inspired and create a dialogue among faculty and staff about practices and strategies that blur the boundaries between Academic departments and Student Affairs in order to create a comprehensive, supportive path for students.

Session Topics

Registration Instructions

Pre-Conference (5/15): FMS Updates • HCM Registration Course Pending

DAY 1 (5/15): GRAB YOUR PACK AND GET HIKING • HCM Course: 002754 Session: 0001

The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) will kick off camp with a day filled with learning. Student Affairs staff will find connections with inclusive practices for serving diverse students.

Mid-Conference (5/16): MCLI Tech Conference • Registration: mcli.maricopa.edu/node/47991

DAY 2 (5/17): BLOOMING DESERT SCAVENGER HUNT • HCM Course: 002755 Session: 0001

Day 2 is focused on topics that integrate an array of tools for supporting students from recruitment to instruction. Keynote, Robin Ozz, will share current practices and trends for developmental learners.

DAY 3 (5/18): GRAND CANYON JEEP TOUR • HCM Course: 002756 Session: 0001

Day 3 will challenge faculty and staff to engage in refined practices to elevate the student experience at MCC. Select sessions will demonstrate alignment to MCC’s GPS and HSI initiatives.

Compensation Available

  1. We have submitted for Pre-Approval for 14.0 clock hours of FPG.
  2. A stipend of $110.00 for the first full day completed and verified through the CTL. A stipend of $137.50 each for the second and third full days completed and verified through FSS.  Funding is limited; priority will be assigned by registration date. That’s $385.00 to attend all three days!

Hourly breakdown: ($27.50 x 4 hours x 1 day) +  ($27.50 x 5 hours x 2 days)

Participating faculty will need to fill out all necessary paperwork, including daily evaluation and assessment forms. To be eligible for stipends, MCC faculty members must have taught during the 2016-2017 Academic Year and not reached their summer load limit. This includes Residential, OYO, OSO, and Adjunct faculty. HR will check load before processing assignments for payment.

Many hands raised.

Lunch and Learn – Turning Technologies Response Systems

Turning Technologies is a student response system distributor. Come to the CTL Workshop room to have lunch on them Thursday April 13 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm while they demonstrate how their system can increase student engagement in the classroom. One of their key products called TurningPoint will be demonstrated as well as their system’s ability to integrate with Canvas.

Seating is limited to 20 so RSVP Here to select your lunch preferences and reserve your seat.

 

 

Spring Training Banner

MCCCD Spring Training 2017

Throughout the month of March, faculty and staff professional development will be available at Maricopa campus and district locations in a number of formats including day, evening and online. Each week, a different region of locations will be offering learning events, i.e. games. Faculty and staff are encouraged to not only attend games (sessions) in their own regions, but also travel to other regions of the Valley. MCC’s CTL is offering a variety of in-person and webinar sessions for this series. View the MCC Spring Training professional development schedule. We hope to see you soon!

How to access MCC webinars:

  1. Go to ctl.mesacc.edu
  2. Click on the calendar icon on the top right side of the page.
  3. Click on the webinar event that you would like to attend.
  4. On the calendar description, click on Join video call.