All course sites are created by Canvas Administrators. We create them from a Parent course site with default tools. These are the tools we feel are primarily used by faculty, but all faculty have the editing ability to modify (delete or add) tools to their course sites.

Default tools as of Sep 2024:

Screenshot 2024-09-06 at 1.07.46 PM.jpg

Note: Certain links are disabled by default when your course site is first created. Note, for example, that Files is turned off by default. When they are turned off they will show an eye with a line through it . This is a security measure; it helps to make sure that if you upload any files to your course site which students should not see – answer keys, for example – students will not be able to find them by browsing through folders in the Files tab.

To edit tools visible to students:

Go to Settings > Navigation > drag and drop what you would like to be visible to students to the top list.

We recommend faculty use Modules, and publish items from Assignments, Pages, Quizzes, and Files via the Modules. This provides a clearer learning path for students. These tools can be hidden from students, but content can published and visible through the Modules tool. One of the newest tools Smart Search. This new tool will let search your entire site for something you might need. Give it a try!

Additional Resources:

Pages VS Files VS Modules

/courses/14542/pages/b-pages-vs-files-vs-modules

How do I publish/unpublish a Module?

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Instructor-Guide/How-do-I-publish-or-unpublish-a-module-as-an-instructor/ta-p/571

Key Definitions of Tools in Canvas

In the left hand navigation menu (Black band), you'll notice some options at your account level.

Account
Dashboard

The Dashboard is a panel of content that acts as the Canvas default landing page and provides an overview of all Canvas activity for a user. The Dashboard shows all courses and groups, recent activity, to-do items, upcoming assignments, and recent feedback. From your Dashboard and Courses panel, all faculty have access to a Sandbox:

- - Sandbox - A Canvas sandbox is a course without student enrollments where instructors can create, modify, and preview course content and structure without student interference. They can then share or import sandbox content into live courses. Instructors may be able to start a new course as a sandbox course from their Canvas dashboard.
Calendar
Help

The Help feature is part of Global Navigation and helps users get help in Canvas at any time. The Help link has been customized by a Canvas admin for the institution. Here you can access Tier 1 chat support and many tutorials, videos, and resources to help.

Inbox

The Inbox is a messaging tool used in Canvas to communicate with a course, a group, an individual student, or a group of students. Messages created in the Inbox can be sent to one user or multiple users. Inbox is a link in Course Navigation. Learn more about the Inbox.

History

The History link lets you look back at what you have worked on in the last 3 weeks. It has saved points in time where something in the site was changed. One of the great usages of this, is that if you made a mistake on something you posted. You are able to go that time and date and fix it.

Commons
Studio

https://friarsprovidence-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/rechols_providence_edu/EQoNALb6nghCptGeDRwUbMEBntNokjp0pJ0CjdbcbBdvVw?e=14GAt5