“Revolutionizing the way we educate” is a maxim often endorsed by the cloud-based learning management system, Canvas. It’s a good one, too. So good, in fact, that the team at Teaching & Learning Technologies (TLT) plans to take it a step further this fall with the Teaching with Canvas (TWC) Cohort Program. Over the next five months, ten participating faculty will receive personalized support from TLT staff for a course launching in Spring 2019. Monthly consultations and workshops will be held to share instructional strategies and cover a wide selection of tools available in Canvas. The goal? To optimize engagement, peer collaboration, and learners’ mastery of content both online and in the classroom.
Faculty in the cohort will be introduced to backwards design, a student-centric model of instruction, that focuses on Canvas learning objectives to drive development of course materials, activities, and assignments. The TWC program will guide faculty to ensure objectives are measurable and are properly supported by Canvas content in a course. Faculty will explore new technologies and best practices to address challenges they have had, realize their ideal teaching personas, and even experiment with creative tools, all in the service of providing meaningful learning experiences for students.
Some features of the redesigns will include
- Utilizing Calendar & Syllabus features for all course milestones
- Creating video lectures for supplemental or flipped teaching
- Implementing new and more engaging discussion board structures
- Developing group assignments that enhance cooperation and research collection
- Using the Canvas gradebook to better document student progress
These features and assessments will support students on their individual learning journeys and, in turn, optimize the use of Canvas for faculty instruction.
The current cohort will showcase their redesigned courses in December, with the catalogue boasting courses from statistics to Shakespeare. Check our blog again for follow-up posts and progress this fall!
Header photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash