Canvas offers numerous tools and features that can save time and enhance teaching and learning. Canvas is also integrated with external tools, many of which UBC instructors were previously using with Connect — such as ComPAIR and iClicker. See below for a list of ready-to-go internal Canvas tools and for all currently implemented and planned external tool integrations.
Internal Canvas tools
Canvas comes preloaded with numerous useful internal tools:
- SpeedGrader allows you to view, score, and provide audio, video or written feedback on student submissions. And using the Canvas mobile app, you can grade on the go.
- Notification preferences can be adapted to suit your preferences. For each type of course notification—announcements, due date changes, discussion replies, and more—you can control how often you receive notifications.
- The Chat tool allows students and teachers to interact in real time.
- A syllabus is automatically generated for each course, based on assignments and events within that course. The syllabus area in Canvas allows instructors not only to post the content of their syllabus, but also displays an assignments summary section displaying all assignments (Quizzes, Discussions, Assignments).
- Conversations is the messaging tool used instead of email to communicate with a course, an individual student, or a group of students.
- Pages are used to store course content and other educational resources. All Canvas Pages are actually “wiki” pages! So the Pages feature serves the same function as a dedicated wiki tool. Benefits include revisions history and shared authoring between student and instructors.
- Modules allow you to organize course content, creating a one-directional linear flow that guides students through the path they should take in your course.
- ePortfolios allow users to collect and document educational projects, submissions, experiences, and other work. This content can be made public or private.
Tool descriptions adapted from the Canvas guides.
External tool integrations
Canvas is integrated with external tools such as Kaltura, Piazza, and UBC Blogs. If you’ve used learning tools such iClicker, Webwork, iPeer, or library course reserves with Connect, please note that there are some differences in terms of how tools are set up and used with Canvas.
Please visit the Learning Technology Hub website to view the status of the external tools integrated with Canvas. If you have questions about using a specific tool with Canvas, please check out the tool guides on the Learning Technology Hub website or contact the Learning Technology Hub.