Hello Colleagues!

We hope you are faring well now that we have transitioned to teaching wholly online. This week we would like to highlight a couple of Canvas features that might make it easier to edit content, and understand how students are engaging with your teaching in Canvas.

New Analytics

You can now turn on the New Analytics feature in your modules. This feature provides more detailed data about how your students are using Canvas for their learning. Some staff have already had a play and the feedback has been very positive and encouraging.

The New Analytics feature displays module grades and weekly online activityLinks to an external site. data, according to your selection in the analytics menu. In short, the more discussions, quizzes, assignments and 'required' task you design into your teaching, the juicier the data will be for analysis.

The Weekly Online ActivityLinks to an external site. option allows you to view the average number of page views and participation for a module via an interactive chart or table. Additionally, you can filter analytics results to compare the average module activity with a specific section or student.

To enable the New Analytics - Open your module and choose Settings from the navigation menu, followed by Feature Options. Find "New Module and User Analytics" on the page and move the slider to the "ON position. Click the Save Changes button. This option will now display in your module menu, don't worry students can't view it!

Watch this tutorial for navigating your way around the New Analytics feature.

New Rich Content Editor (RCE) - Being switched over on 20th June

Canvas has been working for some time to enhance the RCE so it is more accessible and user friendly on mobile devices. The RCE can now be enabled by users (it is currently Off by default). It looks similar to the existing RCE but includes some improved functionality. It will replace the current RCE on June 20, 2020 so you are encouraged to begin using it now.

To enable the RCE- Open your module and choose Settings from the navigation menu, followed by Feature Options. Find "RCE Enhancements" on the page and move the slider to the "ON" position. Click the Save Changes button. If you have a large teaching team, please let them know beforehand as this feature will be turned on for the whole module.

The new Rich Content Editor:

Expands to the full width of the browser
The toolbar includes a condensed, more intuitive look
Toolbar menus are grouped by common icons and interactions
The content selector only displays when linking to other parts of your module, accessing Canvas files, or accessing uploaded media
Image and media additions include drag and drop, content auto-scaling etc
Search for high quality images from within Canvas from Unsplash
The Keyboard shortcut, Accessibility Checker, and HTML Editor icons have moved to the bottom of the editor next to the word count. Additionally, the RCE window can be resized using the Move handle below the window.

Watch the below tutorial on layout and how to find your way around. . . who can find the handy horizontal line now added in? Or check out the release notesLinks to an external site. and step through by following their guidance.

Learning is everywhere

TikTok. . . Maybe a new word in your household if you have younger kids around (or bored in a house full of bored adults. . .)? But you might not know that there is a corner of this social media platform which has educational value! For example, a daily dose of some British Sign Language by Leon Walker DobsonLinks to an external site.? Or maybe some Human Anatomy content from the Institute of Human AnatomyLinks to an external site. (based in the Utah) These guys have 4.6 Millions TikTokers engrossed!

And don't forget Canvas Live Chat and emailing LTS@sgul.ac.uk if you get stuck or want to discuss an idea. Oh … and don't forget the Learning Technology Quick Guides for Staff.?

Keep learning and stay connected (virtually),

Learning Technology Services