Edpuzzle Updates

edpuzzle logo
edpuzzle logo

Great news for our district! Our Edpuzzle subscription has now expanded to cover K-12!  Edpuzzle offers a powerful alternative for creating engaging video content, including capabilities that can complement or even replace some functions of Canvas Studio. You can easily upload your own video files from your computer, Google Drive, or Canvas Studio directly to Edpuzzle, supporting various formats like AVI, MOV, and MP4, as long as they are under 1 GB in size. Beyond just uploading, Edpuzzle allows you to create screencasts using its Chrome extension’s screen recording function. What’s more, you can transform any video into an interactive lesson by embedding questions. This includes videos you’ve uploaded yourself, or content from YouTube – simply paste a YouTube URL into the Edpuzzle search bar to start editing.

For those already familiar with Edpuzzle, we’re excited to highlight some fantastic new features designed to enhance student engagement. You can now create gamified quizzes (like Kahoot and Blooket) by adding points and a Leaderboard, allowing students to complete them individually or in Live Mode. Additionally, Edpuzzle supports interactive Slides (like Nearpod and Peardeck), enabling you to assign engaging presentations where you can even add questions along the way. These new tools offer dynamic ways to enrich the learning experience. For more detailed information on setting up and utilizing Edpuzzle, be sure to check out the first draft of our P-CCS Guide and the NotebookLM.

Prepping Your Canvas Course for the New School Year

We’re excited to let you know that your Canvas courses will soon be visible and ready for action. Canvas is designed to simplify your teaching journey and provide you with a user-friendly platform to engage with your students, organize course materials, and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Course Template

To assist you in creating an engaging and effective online learning space, we’ve prepared comprehensive resources for the course template. These resources include step-by-step guides, video tutorials, and best practices for setting up your Canvas courses. Whether you’re a seasoned Canvas user or a first-timer, these tools will ensure that you’re making the most of Canvas’s features. Using the Canvas template ensure students and families have a more consistent experience in Canvas.

locate all courses

Locating Courses from Past Years

Looking for courses from previous years? Rest assured, they may not be on your dashboard, but they are still there. If you navigate to https://pccsk12.instructure.com/courses and scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll see such courses under “Past Enrollments.” Past enrollments (such courses) are in read-only format. If you would like to make some edits and updates to your course(s) for current or future usage do the following. Click on the course under Past Enrollments, go to Settings on the Course Navigation Menu and click the “Copy this Course” button.

copy course option

Import Previous Content

You can easily copy previous Canvas courses into your 25-26 course shell. However, if you have been keeping the same content from year to year, some unused content might be slowing you down. Below, you will find steps to import Canvas content into your new course shell (once generated automatically through the MiStar integration).

Getting Started with Canvas

Just getting started with Canvas or wanting to start anew? Check out this Canvas Quick Start Guide.  It has links to crosslisting directions, template homepage information, button templates, and more!

Crosslisting Guide

When you have taken time to update the homepage and import previous content, you might not want to repeat those steps for multiple sections on the same course. If that is the case, take a look at the crosslisting guide. This will allow you to only update one course and the changes will be reflected in all sections.

Publish Your Course(s)

You must publish your course in order for it to be visible for students and families. Rest assured, students cannot view course content until the term starts (check this under the course settings). Avoid unnecessary emails from students and families and set yourself a reminder to publish!

Canvas Studio Discontinued

As a reminder, Canvas Studio has been discontinued for the district. You have until November 30 to download videos and update videos linked via Studio in your course. Please note that the download option will not appear for videos that are connected to outside media resources, such as Youtube or Vimeo. Also, video quizzes will only download the video content and not quiz questions. Do NOT create new Canvas Studio content as it will not be available after November 30.

If you need assistance with any of these steps, please submit a tech ticket.

Summer Learning Opportunities

Summer vacation is around the corner. If you feel the like taking part in some free learning opportunities, here’s a list of offerings to check out:

  • Tri-County AI Collaborative Professional Learning Network is taking place next school year but applications are due June 6. It will require administrator support for substitute costs. Information Flyer and Application
  • Shake Up Learning Summer Series: This asynchronous video course hosted by Kasey Bell is available from June 3-July 24. Find out more.
  • REMC continues to offer free courses all summer long. Professional Learning – REMC Home
  • Get Started with Google AI in K12 Education Learn more about how to use Gemini to support your work and productivity.
  • Lumio Palooza: As mentioned last week, all teachers have been provisioned with Lumio accounts. While this program is designed to enhance Smartboards, it can still be used on existing technology in your classroom. Learn more about it Jul 15-16. If you can’t attend, recordings will be available. Lumio Palooza July 2025
  • Classwize Training for Teachers: Classwize, our digital classroom management tool is offering several sessions this summer to help you maximize your use and learn more about the newest features. All sessions are the same so you only need to register for one. Linewize Learning Resources – Classwize
  • Check out Wayne RESA’s Summer Learning Blitz for August for free learning opps.

 

Important Update: Canvas Studio Discontinued for 25-26 School Year

Canvas Studio discontinued

For Canvas users, please note this important change regarding Canvas Studio. Effective for the next school year, Canvas Studio will be discontinued.

This decision comes as we’ve recognized the abundance of powerful and versatile video creation and storage tools already available within our Google ecosystem. These tools offer similar, and in many cases, enhanced functionality compared to Canvas Studio. See, for example, our past blog posts about Google Vids and Screencast in Google Slides.

What This Means for You

If you have videos (made by you) currently stored in Canvas Studio that you wish to retain, you will need to download them. Otherwise they will be lost when our access ends at the end of August. We recommend saving these videos to your Google Drive, where they can be easily organized, accessed, and shared. Videos imported from YouTube or other sources cannot be downloaded.

Key Steps:

  1. Download Your Videos: Please download any videos you want to save from Canvas Studio by August 31, 2025. Our allocated storage of studio files will be cleared on September 1, 2025 and consequently none of our stored videos will be retrievable on, or after, that date. 
  2. Save to Google Drive: Store your downloaded videos in your Google Drive. Google Drive provides ample storage and integrates seamlessly with the tools you already use.

Link to detailed tutorial.

Important Note for Assignments:

Even though access to Canvas Studio is being discontinued, students will still be able to submit video assignments directly in Canvas. The standard Media Upload option within Canvas assignments will remain available, allowing students to record and submit videos as needed.

We understand this change may require some adjustments, and we are here to support you – if support is needed, please submit a help desk ticket.

Clever Messaging Retiring December 2025

We need to make you aware of an important upcoming change regarding Clever: Clever’s messaging feature will be retired in December of 2025. This means that after December of this year you will no longer be able to use Clever to communicate with families.

While Clever will continue to be a valuable tool for other functions like access to district/teacher resources/links,please plan to transition your family messaging to an alternative tool for the 25-26 school year. To ensure a smooth transition and continued strong communication with our students’ families, our district has already made the following messaging systems available for you:

If you have any questions or need any support please put in a tech ticket for Instructional Technology Coaching.

 

New: Building Blocks in Google Slides

If you are like me, you may find yourself jumping for joy when you check out this new feature of Google Slides: building blocks. With little effort, you can upgrade the visual appeal, organization and interactivity of your slides.

where to find building blocks in Slides

Look at the variety of collections available, add them to your slide with one click.

categories of building blocks

Not only can it improve your slide decks, there are also lot of possibilities for student creativity and creation. Find more ideas for student projects on Matt Miller’s Ditch That Textbook site. https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-slides-building-blocks/

K-12 Digital Privacy: A Teacher’s Guide to Minimizing Student Risk

how to protect student data privacy

The Digital Tightrope: Balancing Tech and Student Privacy

We live in an age where technology is integral to education. From online learning platforms to digital tools that enhance classroom engagement, the benefits seem endless. However, educators must navigate a critical challenge: balancing the use of these technologies with the imperative to protect student digital privacy.

The Rising Tide of Digital Surveillance

It’s no secret that online activity is increasingly monitored. Government agencies and tech companies employ sophisticated methods to track and analyze online behavior, and students are not exempt. In fact, they may be particularly vulnerable. As educators, we must understand that the digital tools we use in the classroom can contribute to this landscape. Each platform students are required to sign up for:

  • Increases the amount of their data collected.
  • Presents complex terms of service that are hard to understand.
  • Creates more opportunities for data breaches.

Why Privacy Matters: More Than Just “Being Safe Online”

The implications of a student’s online presence go far beyond what they might realize. A single social media post, taken out of context, can have long-term consequences for their academic and professional future. We also need to consider the immediate impact on their well-being. Requiring students to juggle multiple online accounts can lead to:

  • Digital fatigue and overwhelm.
  • Wasted time spent on account management rather than learning.
  • Inequitable access for students lacking resources.
  • Eroded trust in the technologies we use.

Protecting Our Students: A Call to Action for Teachers

As teachers, we have a significant role in safeguarding our students’ digital well-being. This goes beyond basic internet safety; it requires a critical examination of our own practices. Here’s how we can make a difference:

  • Less is More: Before introducing a new platform, ask yourself: Is this absolutely essential? Are there alternative ways to achieve the same learning outcome? Does the district already pay for a tool that meets the same goal?
  • Prioritize Integrated Tools: Opt for learning management systems (Canvas LMS) or platforms that offer a variety of features in one place, rather than requiring multiple sign-ups. Ask your TIS, can Canvas do…?
  • Consider the Big Picture: Coordinate with colleagues and the tech department to minimize the total number of platforms students must use across all their classes.
  • Be Transparent: Explain to students (and parents) why a particular platform is necessary and what measures are in place to protect their data.
  • Empower Students: Teach students how to manage their online accounts responsibly, including creating strong passwords and understanding privacy settings.

Partnering with Your Technology Department

It’s important to recognize that school technology departments are also grappling with these issues. They are often tasked with both promoting innovative technology use and ensuring student data privacy. To navigate this balance effectively, reach out to your district’s tech integration specialist. They can provide valuable guidance on:

  • What platforms the district has already purchased or recommends.
  • Which tools align with district privacy policies.
  • Best practices for integrating technology in a safe and responsible manner.

By adopting a mindful approach to technology integration and collaborating with your technology department, we can harness its power without compromising our students’ privacy. Let’s work together to create a digital learning environment that is both effective and safe.

Did You Know? — Canvas Outcomes

decorative title image

Tired of grades that feel more like a punishment than a reflection of learning? You’re not alone. Traditional grading practices often focus on points and compliance rather than mastery. But what if we could shift our focus to student growth and create a more equitable learning environment?

Enter Canvas Outcomes. This powerful feature within Canvas LMS allows teachers to define clear learning objectives, track student progress, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to demonstrate what they know.

Why Use Canvas Outcomes?

Canvas Outcomes provides a framework for aligning your instruction and assessment with specific learning goals. Here’s how it works:

  1. Define Learning Outcomes: Instead of just assigning points to assignments, identify the specific skills or knowledge you want students to acquire. These outcomes should be clear, measurable, and aligned with your standards.
    • Example: “Students will be able to analyze the main idea of a text and support it with evidence.”
  2. Align Assessments: Link your assignments, quizzes, and rubrics to these outcomes. This ensures that your assessments are directly measuring what students should be learning.
    • When creating a rubric, you can align specific criteria with an outcome, clearly showing students what they need to demonstrate.
  3. Track Student Progress: Canvas provides tools to monitor student progress toward mastery of each outcome. This data can inform your instruction and help you identify students who need additional support.
    • The Learning Mastery Gradebook provides a visual representation of student achievement for each outcome.
  4. Focus on Learning, Not Just Points: By aligning your grading with outcomes, you shift the focus from point accumulation to demonstrating mastery. This helps students see the purpose of their work and encourages them to take ownership of their learning.

Getting Started

Ready to give it a try? Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Define Your Outcomes:
    • Go to the “Outcomes” section in your course.
    • Create your desired outcomes, ensuring they are specific and measurable.
  2. Align Outcomes with Assessments:
    • When creating or editing an assignment, quiz, or rubric, you can align it with the outcomes you’ve defined.
  3. Use the Learning Mastery Gradebook:
    • Enable the Learning Mastery Gradebook in your course settings.
    • Use this gradebook to monitor student progress on each outcome.
  4. Communicate with Students: Clearly explain the outcomes to your students and how their work will be assessed in relation to those outcomes.

Benefits

  • Increased Transparency: Outcomes make learning goals clear to both students and parents.
  • Improved Student Motivation: When students understand what they are working towards, they are more likely to be engaged.
  • Data-Driven Instruction: Canvas provides valuable data on student progress, allowing you to tailor your instruction to meet their needs.
  • More Equitable Grading: By focusing on mastery, you create a system that is more fair and less susceptible to bias.

Did You Know?

  • Canvas Outcomes can be aligned not only to individual assignments but also to entire rubrics, allowing for a more holistic assessment of student learning.
  • The Learning Mastery Gradebook can be customized to display different levels of achievement, such as “Exceeds Expectations,” “Meets Expectations,” and “Does Not Meet Expectations,” providing a more nuanced view of student progress.
  • Outcomes can be shared across courses and departments, promoting consistency and alignment in learning goals across the institution. Reach out to a TIS for more information on how we can support Outcome sharing.

Take the First Step

Integrating Canvas Outcomes into your classroom may seem daunting at first, but the shift towards focusing on learning objectives is well worth the effort. Start small, focus on one or two key outcomes, and gradually expand your use of this powerful tool.

Teaching in the Age of AI: AI-Proofing Your Assignments

Teaching in Age of AI graphic

AI chatbots are here, and while they offer exciting possibilities, they also challenge how we assess student learning. It’s time to shift our focus to what AI can’t replicate: the unique human element. Let’s adapt our assessments to celebrate student thinking, not just AI output.

Here are some practical, quick strategies to assess student authorship in this new era:

  • Why This, Not That?” Reflections: Ask students to explain their choices. Why this word? What else did you consider? Uncover their reasoning.
  • “Behind the Scenes” Explanations: When presenting, students share their process: What challenges did you face? How did your ideas evolve?
  • Source Analysis: Go beyond citations. Ask how sources shaped their thinking.
  • Personalized Prompts: Connect assignments to their lives. How does X relate to your understanding of Y? AI can’t replicate personal experience.
  • Process-Based Assessment: Break down projects (outlines, drafts). Last-minute AI use becomes obvious.
  • “My Thinking Journey” Journals: Encourage reflection on their process through notes and visuals. This is a personal artifact.
  • “Explain Your Thinking” Annotations: Ask students to justify their choices directly in their work.
  • Audio/Video Explanations: Have students verbally explain their work for a personal touch.

Keep in mind that AI is getting better at explaining its output, so you may want to be careful about holding these reflection sessions during the school day. Below is one example of how AI explained its thought process.

AI thought process

We’re always seeking ways to engage our students. Here are some helpful tips we’ve gathered:

  • Know Their Voices: Familiarize yourself with individual student writing.
  • In-Class Writing: Observe their real-time writing process (be mindful of limitations).
  • Formative Assessment: Track progress over time, not just final products.
  • Thoughtful Prompts: As one teacher said, “If you don’t want generic answers, don’t ask generic questions.” Focus on emotional intelligence and experience.
  • Explore AI Together: Understand its limitations with your students.

These strategies offer a path forward in the age of AI, ensuring our students continue to develop the critical human skills necessary for their growth and success.

Spring Canvas Updates

This week Canvas released a few updates, mostly regarding Canvas New Quizzes.

new quiz moderate enhancements

  • In the Activity Log, instructors can view the Client IP address, Browser Session ID, for each question of a quiz. This update provides instructors with greater visibility into quiz activity, helping them verify student engagement and identify potential irregularities during quiz attempts.

new quizzes breadcrumbs

  • When building a quiz in New Quizzes the Course Navigation and breadcrumbs display. Additionally, the Moderate tab and Reports tab are switched in the Quiz Menu. This update improves navigation and streamlines the quiz-building experience by providing consistent access to key tools.

student accommodations update

  • Several updates to the New Quizzes Moderate Page enhance the instructor’s ability to manage accommodations during active quiz attempts:
    • Instructors can add time to an active quiz attempt when moderating a New Quiz.
    • In the New Quizzes Moderate Page:
      • The modal is renamed to Student Accommodation.
      • The student’s name is relocated to the body text.
      • A checkbox is added to apply changes to the current quiz attempt.
    • The Moderation tray is renamed to In Progress Accommodation and includes the student’s name in the body text.

    Note: The Apply these changes to the current Quiz and attempts as well checkbox is enabled by default.

 

Enhanced Rubrics

Canvas has been working on improving the rubric experience. They have added some functionality to make building and adjusting rubric easier. We have not yet turned on this updated functionality and are looking for feedback from heavy Canvas Rubric users about what they think and when we should turn it on in our district. One exciting reason to enable it is that students can now self-asses with the rubrics added to an assignment.

Please reach out to your TIS if you have an opinion about turning it on and if you would like a preview of the new experience.