The EdTech Connection

Guess it really is finally time to learn how to use Canvas!

If you didn't have the time, energy, or capacity for training over the summer (and trust me, I get that!), you can still join a course to get the help you need:

• Training Course for Returning Staff: Just like the course for new teachers, but unmonitored. You'll be forced to go through the course step-by-step, submit assignments, take quizzes, etc. You may even get feedback from me!
• Resource Course: All of the resources from the Training Course, but the requirements, assignments, and quizzes are removed, so you can find what you need when you need it.

To join either course, follow the steps below (only for FCS staff):

1. Log in to Classlink.
2. Open Canvas.
3. Copy/paste forsyth.instructure.com/register into a new tab and then use the corresponding "join code" to register for the course you wish:

• Training Course: DDP8JR
• Resource Course: PLDA96

While I've been sharing tips and tricks about Canvas over the summer, I've also shared a lot about Canva. If you don't have your FREE Canva for Education account, you're missing out on all of the best bits!

Sign up at Canva for Education using your FCS Google account (@forsythk12.org, or corresponding district-provided school account, if you are not in Forsyth Co) and then get started down the rabbit hole!

What are some of the fun things you can do? Beyond just making BEAUTIFUL images for your Canvas Course Card, buttons, and banners, here are some other ideas:

• certificates
• "Meet the Teacher" introductions
• talking presentations
• infographics
• whiteboards

Once you have your account, check out this Teacher Cheatsheet of Template Shortcuts and then let me know which one you tried first!

Over the past decade that we've been using itslearning, a LOT has changed! One thing that is 🎶 a change for the better 🎶 is the existence of cloud storage! Now that we've made the move to Canvas, it's time to shift our thinking about files as well. Instead of uploading static files to our courses, there's a better way - it just means some new vocabulary. 😊

Whether you are adding a file to a Page, an Assignment, or a Module, the best way is to add them as an External Tool, select either Google Drive or OneDrive (depending on where the file "lives"), and then navigate to the file. Alternatively, you could go to the file itself (either in your Google Drive or OneDrive), get the Share link, and then add the link.

This work flow gives two important benefits:

1. The file is a "live" document, meaning that any edits you make are immediately available to students.
2. The file doesn't take up any of your course or account storage space.

THIS PRESENTATION is specifically about adding Google files, but can be mostly adapted to Microsoft files as well.