To some, Canvas is just another tool we have been required to incorporate into our classroom. To me, Canvas has been another way to engage students, check for understanding and help introduce other tools into my classroom. My Canvas journey began during the 2015-2016 school year. I had attended a half day training in the Spring of 2015, and kind of jumped in head first. I began to set up my classroom page, had my students participate in their first discussion, and soon began creating short assignments and quizzes. Before I knew it I was asked to present at our district’s technology professional development in January with our elementary eLearning specialist. I did not think I was experienced in Canvas, and was not sure what I could offer to other elementary school teachers. However, during that 40 minutes I was able to share some ideas with teachers who were nervous about this thing called Canvas and help them start slowly in their our Canvas journey. Many left feeling less panicked and after attending other sessions, I was eager to try new things in my classroom. Over the last three years Canvas has become an integral part of my classroom. I still start out each year similar to my first year; setting up my classroom page, having my students take a profile picture, and participating in a discussion. They quickly become engage, excited and want to do more. Students have enjoyed using the Canvas app to “write on” pdf assignments and submitting them. Canvas also allows me to share external tools like Flipgrid, Padlet and Nearpod to my classroom. It has kind of become a “hub” for students especially since we are using more laptop computers than iPads. Each year I try to incorporate something new into my classroom. This year I have started recording spelling tests for my various groups, giving video feedback to students, and started to use Quizzes.next to give my students more variety when doing skill checks. My Canvas experiences have not only assisted students, but their parents as well. Many parents are unsure how it works, or how to view their child’s assignments. I have provided short tutorials for parents in order to help them view assignments, lessons I have recorded for them to view at home or how to complete elearning day assignments. I also rely on my students to be the experts at home and teach their parents. They are comfortable to navigate their way around Canvas and are quick to help each other. I know my journey is relatively new and on-going. I enjoy learning new tricks and secrets to Canvas and then sharing them with my colleagues and students. It has pushed me as a teacher in many ways, opened doors for new opportunities and enhanced the learning in my classroom. Today's thoughts come to us from Ms. Rebecca Lafuze. Rebecca teaches 3rd grade at Charles Elementary School. She has taught in various classroom settings over the last 17 years, but Third grade is her favorite. Rebecca and her husband, along with their two young daughters, live in Indiana. She enjoys traveling, the beach, rooting on the Purdue Boilermakers, yoga and dance parties at home with her daughters.
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