As I began another online semester, I found several tools within Canvas that have allowed me to become a more efficient student in my online classes. Canvas isn’t just a site to access our homework; it offers even more features than that.
Calendar view
Canvas’s built-in calendar makes things easy by adding your assignments to it on their due dates! It allows students to view upcoming assignments in a more structured view on the Canvas website and mobile application. As a very visual person, the calendar has given me a clearer view of what is due each week for all my classes through color coordination. In addition to having all your assignments already in the calendar, it allows you to create your events to keep your schedule organized all in one place!
To-do lists
If a calendar view is not for you, don’t worry, Canvas has your back! There is a built-in to-do list on the right side of the screen that logs all your upcoming assignments in their desktop view. The neat thing about this feature is it stays on the right side of the screen, whether on the main dashboard or a course site. In this world of online classes and assignments, it is an efficient way to track your assignments all in one place.
What if? grades
Once I found this feature, I couldn’t stop using it. Whether it is because professors are taking long to input grades or out of pure curiosity, students can input their “What if?” grades in Canvas’ Gradebook to see how it could affect their final grades. I enjoy this feature because I am always curious about how much an assignment or quiz can impact my final grade. As someone who tries to keep an A in my classes, this has helped me play around and figure out the score I need to reach my goals.
Modules tab
I love professors that give students the module option for the course site. This tab makes it so much easier to separate required readings, quizzes, and assignments by modules, which in my case it is one module per week. It is easier to look at modules than assignments all thrown into the assignment tab together to make sure we are not missing anything. If you have the option to, watch out for the modules!
I like to stay organized with my schoolwork, and these Canvas tools have helped immensely with that goal. I am sure Canvas offers so much more, so I encourage you to explore this resource and find out even more ways to help your own virtual college experience.
Gisele Coronado is a digital marketing coordinator student worker in the IT Marketing and Communications office.
