Communicating With Learners

Communication
 Communicating With Learners

Communicating with your students is key to the success of both you and the learners themselves. There are standard ways to communicate in an online course and we have highlighted the Canvas specific tools below. Technology allows us to be more accessible than ever and as you go about designing your course, think about the way a learner communicates within their job or home. Working with your Instructional Designer, we can help you create a communication plan as well as integrate or adapt industry specific tools into your course design.

Resource: Instructor Communication with Students Online Download Instructor Communication with Students Online

Canvas Communication Tools

In Canvas, there are three main tools that are used throughout your course to communicate with both your instructor(s) and your peers.

Inbox (Conversations)

Two-way Communication, private.

  • Student - Instructor
  • Peer - Peer
  • Student - Program Admin
  • Peer - Multiple Peer
Inbox (Conversations) is a messaging tool, similar to email, best used to communicate privately with your instructor, another peer, program administrators or a group of colleagues. Find the inbox on the global blue navigation bar to the far left.  
 
Step 1: Click Inbox
Step 2: Compose a New Message
Step 3: Select Course
Step 4: Search Name - your course instructor is listed under "Teachers" and your program administration staff is under "Teaching Assistants"

Two-way Communication, non-private.

  • Threaded Discussions
  • Graded and Non-graded
  • Group Discussion

This course uses threaded discussion forums as a way of creating rich and robust discussion among our group. They are an important part of class participation. The purpose of discussions is for you to develop your skills in engaging in conversation with one another in a way that demonstrates you are integrating what you are learning, you are understanding the concepts, and you are applying this knowledge. To ensure robust conversation, please use the 3C+Q format as a guide for you to contribute, you can select from one of these options to start off a response to a discussion prompt or when reacting to a peer:

  • A Compliment (e.g., “I like how…”; “I like that…”)
  • A Comment (e.g., “I agree that… because…”; “I disagree that… because…”)
  • A Connection (e.g., “I also have read/seen/heard/thought that…”)
  • A Question (e.g., “I wonder why/how/who/what/when/where…”)

 I am/We are looking for two main characteristics of your contributions to the threaded discussions:

  1. That you are responsive to the discussion – ideally, you are applying critical thinking to your contributions, and you are integrating what you are reading, hearing and thinking about. You are bouncing off one another – building on the comments and insights of your colleagues.
  2. You are making timely and quantitative contributions to the discussion – ideally, you are engaged across the week and you make an early posting, then engage with your colleagues by adding to the conversation as it unfolds – with at least 2 postings in the discussion thread, this is required to receive full credit for the discussion.

As your instructor(s), I/we am/are interested in what you are thinking and discussing and I/we will read the threaded discussions on a regular basis.  I am/We are expecting you to carry a conversation with each other. At times, when the conversation may stall or be getting off track, I/we may contribute to the discussion.

The goal with this format is to offer you the opportunity to share and expand your perspectives on the topics discussed. 

Announcements

One-way Communication, non-private.

Announcements are designed to allow instructors and program administrators to broadcast information out to all members of a course about course activities and/or interesting course-related topics. Students typically do not have the ability to reply to these announcements, but if you have any questions use the other modes of communication.

Typical announcements may include:

  • Important dates and/or events.
  • Reminders to students on what they need to accomplish to stay on track.
  • Point students to internal and external resources that will help them achieve course outcomes.
  • Messages for the entire class with video or audio comments.
  • Celebrating student successes

Canvas Mobile App

Canvas is also available through a mobile app which is a great way to stay up-to-date with the course and communicate with your instructor(s) and fellow students. Learn more here.

Canvas Notifications

While you are able to customize Canvas notification preferences, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have read announcements and messages in the Canvas Inbox from both the instructor and administrators. It is your responsibility to stay on top of developments in the course as they occur. To customize your notification preferences, view the Canvas Tutorials and/or visit https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10624 Links to an external site. 

*We highly recommend against selecting "do not send me anything" in order to receive important announcements.