A Canvas update from Dr. Gibson...

Good Afternoon ESU Canvas Community!

Product Release: The latest 3-week product sprint (update) will be released on Saturday, April 2^nd. New features in this update are listed in detail below. They include improvements to Assignments, Gradebook, Quizzes, SpeedGrader, People, and several other features.

April 2^nd  Detailed Release Notes & Screencast

New Canvas Interface is Coming!

Another reminder that the new Canvas interface is right around the corner - Tuesday, May 17^th - following grade submission. (Sometime between 3:00 and 5:00 pm.) This is not an optional update. We chose May 17th to reduce the impact on spring and summer courses. This interface will mirror the mobile version of Canvas with a completely revised dashboard and user experience. It is designed to support newer touch interface devices, such as the Microsoft Surface. However, your course content will not be impacted. You can learn more about the interface by following this link. Or, you can watch a video that illustrates the new user experience. Dr. Anna Catterson, Mark Summey, and Joe Kern will be offering workshops on the new interface in May. Refer to our Blog for specific information and a timeline.

7 Things You Should Know about Digital Badging

This month we look at Digital Badging and Micro-Credentials: 7 Things You Should Know About Digital Badging. Learning Technologies is piloting a new Digital Badging initiative starting in April. This will be a year-long pilot program with approximately 10-15 faculty and staff, and multiple students. Badging can be used both inside and outside of Canvas. Students can add earned badges to social media sites such as LinkedIn. Possible applications include Healthy Hornets, Library Research Skills, and the Honors Program. Watch for more information about this exciting new pilot program. Contact Dr. Anna Catterson at x5107 for more information.

Lesser Known Tips and Tricks: Adding Library Resources to Your Canvas Course

There are a number of methods to add library resources into your Canvas course. While we provide a simple sidebar link, you can build much more meaningful resources that are contextualized for your curriculum. For example:

• Add the Ask a Librarian widget directly inside your course
• Add embedded links to books and articles.
• Add a customized LibGuide for any particular subject matter. 
• Add a Library Liaison into your course with a specific “Librarian” role we created. 

Refer to http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/about-the-library/staff-directory.html for the name of your Liaison and more information.