A Canvas LMS-Enhanced Learning Experiences

In my course profile, I mentioned using Moodle as LMS for the blended portion of the course, but for the prototype, I will build the course platform with Canvas. It is similar to Moodle in the way that it has several useful tools such as a built-in online “Discussions”. With this feature, students can share their thoughts, questions, and ideas, which I think is a great tool for getting everyone to interact to each other’s. This tool can be especially helpful for those students who might be a little shy in class – it gives them another way to participate and connect with their classmates.
Canvas also provides other interesting tools for creating and sharing all sorts of content. In the “Lucid (Whiteboard)” area, students can insert other graphic design like mind map, diagrams. This is useful for students to develop their personal or group brainstorming ideas and creative skills. Moreover, they can use the “Pages” feature to get more creative with how they express themselves and easily share their work with classmates for feedback. I will use this feature to add a self-introduction video and make sure that every student will do the same. This way will not only help us get to know each other but also give students a chance to practice their communication skills in a fun and engaging way.
Additionally, I am also planning to use Canvas “Collaborations” function to help students work together in real-time. They can team up on documents, projects, and presentations, which is a great way to build teamwork skills. And for those times when we need to connect face-to-face, Canvas “Conferences” (which uses BigBlueButton – a tool I really enjoyed in my blended courses) will let us have video chats, and real-time interacting activities. These real-time interactions are so important for creating a sense of community in the course.
Because this is for first-year students, university life can be their big adjustment. I want to make sure everyone knows exactly what is expected from the get-go. Therefore, clear guidelines and assessment instructions will provided for all the different activities and interactions. For quick knowledge checks, chapter overviews, and final reports, I will be using the “Quiz” and “Assignment” features in Canvas. I will also be fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels included. Encouraging constructive feedback between students will be a big part of that, and I’ll be checking in regularly to offer guidance and support.
Finally, to help students really get the most out of the course, I will be incorporating some reflective activities, like self-assessments and reflective journals. This will give them a chance to think about their own learning and how they’re interacting with the material and each other. By using all these different features and tools within Canvas, I am hoping to create a really rich and supportive learning environment for every student./.