Time to Consider Cross-listing

time to consider cross-listing

As we approach the new school year, those of you who are teaching multiple sections of the same course might consider cross-listing in Canvas. Cross-listing allows you to move section enrollments from individual courses and combine them into one course. This feature is helpful for instructors who teach several sections of the same course and only want to manage course data in one location. So if you are a teacher that has multiple sections of one course or an elementary specialist that has many different sections, cross listing may be a great option for you and a big time saver. However, this action should only be done before a semester starts. Canvas recommends it be done before a course is published. If it is done after a course is published and notably student work has been submitted, that student work will be lost. Review the slideshow below carefully to help you decide if you want to do it. 

Please review this slideshow carefully to review the pros and cons. The slideshow also walks you through the steps to cross-list your courses. Please note that teachers have the ability to cross-list courses but do not have the option to de-crosslist. To de-crosslist sections or for further assistance with cross-listing, submit a tech ticket.

 

Google Assignments Update: Option to Use Canvas Speedgrader

new canvas speedgrader option in google assignments

Google has announced a much-welcome update for Google Assignments in Canvas. Teachers will now have the option to use the Canvas SpeedGrader for submitted Google Assignments. Take a look at the chart to see the potential features of each option.

image of text table of feature options

The use of Google Assignments in Canvas is highly encouraged because you can assign personalized files to students, instead of forcing students to make their own copy (which can lead to students having multiple copies in their Drive and losing track of the correct version). Teachers can also see students’ in-progress work and use originality reports (5 per course). With all of these perks, some teachers did not use Google Assignments because they wanted to be able to use the Canvas Speedgrader and now you can! This feature should  be visible by August 19, 2022. Have a quick look below:

gif of Canvas speedgrader option

Resources:

Looking for the Google Waffle?

image showing where to find apps launcher

Google is often updating and changing their platform and many people have noticed that when they are at www.google.com, the “waffle” doesn’t display all the P-CCS apps. Rest assured, there are still 2 easy ways to access it.

  1. Go to https://workspace.google.com/dashboard and bookmark the page.
  2. If you are in a Google app like Gmail, Drive, or Calendar the waffle is in the upper-right corner and will contain all of our P-CCS apps.

We are working on a good solution for students to access the dashboard in September, in addition to the methods listed above.

Action Required: Enroll in Google Two-Factor Authentication

image showing 2-factor warning

New Requirement – Two-Factor Authentication – Coming to All Staff P-CCS Google Accounts.

 

Starting August 15, 2022, each time staff initially log into their district Google, they will see the prompt above to enroll in 2-factor authentication until they do so.
It’s simple!
Just follow the prompts to either use the Google (Gmail) app you might already have installed on your cell phone, or enter a phone number to get a text or phone call with your code.
Follow THIS TUTORIAL for guidance
(Interested in written step-by-step directions: click here). 

 

Please note, if you do not enroll in two factor authentication by September 30, 2022, you will be locked out of your account starting October 1, 2022.

 

“I didn’t see the prompt, but I don’t want to get locked out.”
“I clicked ‘Do this later‘, now what?”
Easy! Just follow the steps in THIS TUTORIAL to turn on your
Two-Factor authentication now! 
(Interested in written step-by-step directions? Click HERE.)

 

THE WHAT

P-CCS staff already use Two-Factor Authentication when logging into MISTAR and Wayne Resa’s eEmployee portal SMART (where P-CCS staff access payroll information). Two factor authentication is an added layer of security to an online account. It can prevent 98% of hackers from accessing your account information. Two factor authentication is a system which after you login with your username and password you receive a code to verify it really is you trying to enter your account. Upon entering that code, you will then be able to access your account.  And by October 1, 2022, all Faculty/Staff P-CCS Google accounts will be required to use two-factor authentication.  

 

THE WHY

2-factor authentication drastically reduces the chances of having the personal information in your Google account stolen by someone else. If interested, this video shows more information about how Two-Factor Authentication keeps your account more secure. And though an extra step to log in may feel frustrating, it’s less frustrating than dealing with the repercussions of a compromised account. Additionally, school districts purchase cyber insurance which requires a regular review of security-related best practices/continuous improvement, and requiring an additional authentication method for account access is the next big push for districts to be compliant with cybersecurity risks/best practice.

 

THE WHEN

Beginning Monday August 15 All PCCS staff will be prompted to turn on 2-factor authentication. When you log in, the image above will prompt you to enroll. Staff must turn on two-factor authentication by September 30, 2022.

It is important to note the following 

  • If you do not enroll in two-factor authentication prior to October 1, 2022, you will be locked out of your account, on or after that date.
  • You will not have to log in to Google with 2-factor authentication every day when using the same device if you opt to “remember” the device.. 
  • Once you authenticate and complete the 2-step verification process and make sure to “remember this device” (their verbiage is Don’t ask again on this computer), Google will not require 2-step verification every time you log in. From that point on, Google will not prompt you to perform 2-Step verification on that device unless you clear your browser’s cache, change your password, it’s been around 30 days since your last verification and/or if Google suspects that your account has been breached.
  • This two factor authentication will not be required for students and will not change how students log in to their P-CCS accounts.
  • If you prefer to not use a phone, or when it might not be available, consider retrieving backup codes for access. See this support article 
  •  for details.

This prior blog post also offers some news of this upcoming requirement.

Questions? Need help? Submit a help desk ticket!

Panda Pros, Free Canvas Coaching and Support

Canvas is bringing back Panda Pros! Throughout this August and until September 18, Canvas representatives will be available for one-on-one, 45 minute coaching sessions. Panda Pros are available to meet from 9 AM to 6 PM MDT Monday-Sunday! The weekend slots filled up quickly last year. Need some ideas on topics you might address?

  • Module Organization
  • Using Speedgrader
  • Mastering the Rich Content Editor
  • Chatting about how best to use Canvas in your grade level/content area
  • Discuss how well your course meets Instructional Design and Accessibility standards

Get more information here.

You can go to https://www.instructure.com/panda-pros to schedule your appointment (note that times offered are in Mountain Time).

Of course, your Tech Integration Specialists are also happy to meet with you on any of these topics and more. Submit a ticket and we will get back to you!

 

Edit PDFs with Canva

Canva is a great design tool for student and teacher use. It is free for education account and integrates with Canvas. If you haven’t taken the “Use Canva in Canvas” course you should add it to your list!

Did you know you can upload an existing PDF to Canva to redesign and update it? See the short video below.

If you are interested in learning more about how to use Canva in your classroom, you might consider attending their back to school webinar on July 19 at 3 PM. Sign up here. Or you can always catch the recording and catch up on past ones.

ad for back to school webinar

 

Looking for your Canvas Course?

If you have logged into Canvas recently, you may have had a moment of panic to see that your 21-22 courses are not on your dashboard. Rest assured, they are still there. If you navigate to https://pccsk12.instructure.com/courses and scroll to the bottom of the page, you’ll see it the courses under “Past Enrollments.” You can also access these through the Global Navigation Menu:

directions to get to all courses

The courses are currently in read-only format and you’ll be able to import your content into your new course shells in the fall (we’ll publish directions as it gets closer). If you would like to make some edits and updates to you your course. Click on the course under Past Enrollments, go to Settings on the Course Navigation Menu and you’ll see the “Copy this Course” button.

location of copy course button

You can use this Canvas guide for the steps that follow. Once completed, you’ll have a version of your course on your dashboard that you can update and edit and them import that content in the fall.

If you have any questions, please submit a tech ticket.

Canvas Updates You May Have Missed

Canvas update summary

Canvas is always striving to make improvements for users. Just this week they are offering teachers the option to “Message OBSERVERS of Students Who…” Canvas has always had the option to message students who had missing work or scored more/less than, but now teachers will be able to have greater control of the students and observers that get the message.

workflow for messaging observers

Wondering what other cool updates you may have missed from Canvas in 2022? Here’s a quick look:

All Your Tech End-of-Year Posts in One Spot

We hope you have an extremely restful summer. We have posted a few items over the last several weeks and wanted to link highlights here in case you missed any of them.

Canvas

Rest assured, you really don’t need to do anything to your Canvas page. It will roll over to Past Enrollments and you will be able to copy the content into your new course shell. You can check out the slidedeck below (used for an in-person session) to get a little more information about what that looks like and what you could do to create an extra back-up or a version of your course you can work on updating over the summer.

You can also access our blog post on the topic here.

Classroom Technology

Our recommendations for your classroom technology (projectors, doc cams, microphones, etc.) can be found here.

You can also review our suggested laptop maintenance to keep it performing at its best.

Clever Syncing Paused

We’ve already paused Clever syncing so that students can continue to access their current teachers’ Clever pages and digital subscriptions (e.g IXL, BrainPop, Seesaw) via Clever through mid August.

Sharing Digital Content

Whether you are separating from service, working on curriculum, or you are teaching different classes next year there are several options for sharing digital content with colleagues.

Summer Learning

When you are ready to digging into some topics that you may not have had time to explore we have a few ideas.

Summer Vision Board

GoogleEDU Created These Summer Vision Boards 
Here’s some great templates that can be used for vision planning, regardless of season. Just change as needed. Students could also use some of these slides for their own learning during the school year. Helpful stickers included, too.  Google EDU Templates

Have a great summer! If you want to chat with a Technology Integration Specialist over the summer, we are available! Submit a tech ticket if you would like to set up a meeting.

All the resources linked about have also been curated in this Wakelet Collection. https://wke.lt/w/s/iv8Y5-

Summer Workshop: Creating Screencasts for your Classroom

information flyer

REMC and Michigan Virtual are partnering to offer a FREE workshop on exploring the #GoOpen Michigan Resources and how to create screencasts for your classroom. Participants will earn 11 SCECHs and a $200 stipend.

Open Education Resources (OER) for Quality Teaching and Learning
Schools are continuing to use blended learning classrooms and look for affordable resources to quickly adapt. #GoOpen Michigan provides many quality free resources, many of which are both designed by and for use by Michigan educators.

During this multi-day hybrid workshop experience cosponsored by Michigan Virtual, explore, mine and contribute to the rich resources that are available for quality instruction on #GoOpen site. Participate in rich learning experiences, gain resources, and leave as champions of using OER in your school and with your students.

Commitment: Each session requires attendance at one (1) face-to-face day and one (1) virtual day, along with some pre-workshop activities, and completion of a learning object (eg. lesson plan, classroom activity).  In total, it will require a minimum of 11 hours of time to complete all required activities.

SCECHs: 11 hours of SCECH Credit are available at no cost

Earn: participants will receive a $200 stipend for fulling participating in the workshop and completing all activities including:

  • Attendance at the face-to-face and virtual days
  • Uploading their custom screencast to Mi Streamnet
  • Uploading their learning object to #GoOpen Michigan

information flyer

View the flyer above here.