Canvas, Course Improvements, and Ed Tech

Instructional Design (ID): Expert guidance for creating effective, backward-designed course maps across all modalities by aligning outcomes, assessments and learning activities. Emphasizing learner-centered strategies, active learning, and regular and substantive interaction to create purposeful, evidence-based learning experiences that improve clarity, engagement, and overall effectiveness.

Course Development (CD): Integrating Transparency in Learning and Teaching, Universal Design for Learning, Quality Matters standards, UX best practices, professional multimedia principles, and the Community of Inquiry to create clear, intuitive, and strong learning environments.

Accessibility: Ensuring alignment with Title III and WCAG requirements, along with established best practices, to create inclusive environments that promote equitable access for all learners and strengthen instructional quality across all teaching and learning modalities.

Ed Tech: Panopto, Honorlock, etc.

Categories (6)

Instructional Design

How do I analyze learners' needs to design effective instructional strategies that facilitate the achievement of learning outcomes? Through Pedagogical principles: Backward Design, Community of Inquiry, Universal Design for Learning, and Active Learning; Learning Theories: behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism. These frameworks guide instructors in designing and teaching their courses, whether online or in-person. By integrating these approaches, our team can help you create a dynamic and inclusive educational experience that promotes deeper understanding and active participation, regardless of the delivery method.
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Course Development

How will they interact with my content? Shape their experience by using Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TILT) and Quality Matters (QM). TILT emphasizes involves clearly communicating learning purpose, the task, instructional methods, and accountability in the learning process. While QM provides a robust rubric for evaluating online and blended course design, focusing on aligning course structure, learning outcomes, learning activities, and instructional materials.
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Accessibility

Designing for all learners through compliance with Title III in course content and design is essential, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public services, but also reflects our pride in our work as Lasallian instructors in supporting all our students. This legislation mandates that we provide full and equal enjoyment of our offerings, ensuring that all our students can access and engage with the curriculum in an inclusive learning environment that values diversity and empowers every student to thrive academically.
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Canvas: New Features

Consistently evolving to enhance the user experience for both instructors and students, introducing a variety of new and upcoming features designed to support innovative teaching practices and enrich the overall educational experience. To ensure that all users can effectively leverage these enhancements, I am offering consultation services for one-on-one or departmental training: providing personalized support to help them maximize the benefits of the platform.
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Canvas: General

Comprehensive range of support resources for Canvas users. It includes getting started resources to help instructors set up their first courses and understand the platform's basic functionalities. The guide provides detailed instructions on using course management tools for navigation, assignments, grades, and discussions, facilitating effective teaching. Additionally, it encompasses analytics and reporting features to track student engagement and performance. Instructors can also find tips on communication tools like announcements and discussions to enhance interaction with students. Furthermore, the guide offers resources for integrating external apps and detailed support on assessment and grading, including creating quizzes and utilizing SpeedGrader. These resources collectively empower instructors to create engaging and efficient learning environments.
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Ed Tech: Panopto, Honorlock, and More

Canvas offers a robust platform for educators to integrate various educational technologies that enhance the teaching and learning experience. Tools like Panopto facilitate the recording and sharing of lectures, enabling students to access content on-demand, while Zoom provides a reliable solution for virtual classrooms and real-time engagement. Honorlock adds an additional layer of security for online assessments, ensuring academic integrity during quizzes and exams. By utilizing these integrations, educators can create a more interactive and flexible learning environment, catering to diverse student needs and fostering deeper engagement with course materials. These technologies work in harmony with Canvas, enriching the overall educational experience and supporting effective learning outcomes.
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Articles (1)

Canvas: New and Renewed Features Timeline

Quarterly overview of new and improved Canvas features for the 2025–2026 year. Each update highlights changes that have a direct impact on teaching, learning, accessibility, and course admin, with a focus on what is new, what has changed, and whether any action is required. This approach helps faculty and staff stay informed without being overwhelmed, while ensuring timely awareness of enhancements that can improve course design, student experience, and instructional workflows.