4 Gradebook Tips and Tricks - to Make Grading Easier

Inevitably grading has to be done.  To make the process easier, try following these tips.

1.  Viewing Filtered Student Names

You can filter the gradebook by typing a name into the text field at the top of the gradebook. Once you type the student's name or secondary ID in the text field, the student's grades will be shown.

Read detailed instructions here.

2.  Mute Assignments

To hide student grades temporarily, you can choose to mark an assignment as "muted". A muted assignment will not send out grade change notifications or any new instructor comments until the assignment is unmuted. A muted assignment displays a "mute" icon on the student grades page so students know the assignment is muted.

Be sure to UnMute the Assignment, after you have completed your grading.

Get all the detailed instructions here.

3.  Move your Gradebook Total Column

If you haven’t already, you might want to move your Gradebook Total.

It just takes a couple of clicks. 

Watch and learn here.

4.  Download Scores from GradeBook

If you need to download your gradebook scores, Canvas does allow you to download a csv file-which can be viewed in Excel or Google Spreadsheet.  A couple of notes: you will probably have to ‘slightly tweak’ your downloaded spreadsheet and if a student has submitted an assignment multiple times, the CSV file only accounts for the most recent submission.

Read detailed instructions here.

The details for these features have been sourced from Canvas’ User Guides and Product Release Notes. If you have any specific question we would be happy to speak with you directly,
please call 413-565-6880 or email us at online@baypath.edu.

Referencing Made Easy

For those of us who do a lot of research and paper writing (but maybe don't love it...) I've found the following apps that may come in handy. I'm going to work with both of them this semester, and thought you may find them interesting:

RefMe  - Create references for multiple types of media and export to popular formats like APA and MLA. Web-based, with apps for iOS and Android. Free.

Video Overview of RefMe

Papers - Search for and create references via academic journals and Google Scholar. Supports in-app annotations. Can sync with iOS, Mac, Windows and Web. $79 desktop and $9.99 iOS. Papers is very loaded with content, hence the hefty price tag.

Happy Referencing!

 Wednesday. September 17. 1:00-ish. 

Apple announced that iOS 8 will be live and available for download around 1pm on Wednesday afternoon. Very quickly, know the impact it will make:

• Downloads. Lots of Downloads: The network may feel a pinch around this time, as lots of Faculty, Staff and Students update their iOS devices. Plan accordingly.
• Back Up Your Content: If you don't have a current back up (e.g. as of the moment before you want to download the new software), don't do it. If an error occurs while downloading that compromises your device, you may be out of luck until you connect it to a computer and redownload the software.
• User Names & Passwords: Keep a list of user names & passwords ready, especially your Apple ID. Go here for support for all-things Apple ID.
• Change is Coming: There are a lot of new enhancements and changes with this release. Visit this link to familiarize yourself with what's been shared with the public so far.
• iCloud Drive: Do NOT choose this option when given. iCloud Drive is not yet fully functional and may wipe out your content. Wait until Yosemite comes out later this year to opt-in.

Lastly, I have one piece of sage advice to leave you with: You don't have to get it. As with all new releases, it's not mandatory. But eventually, the apps you love won't work with iOS 6 and I know you've been avoiding iOS 7...

I'm here if you have any questions or concerns. Happy updating!

Gradebook Total Column Is Moving Up The Street!

The ability to identify struggling students in your course early and often is paramount to their success here at Bay Path. With the September 6^th update to Canvas, you will be able to do that more easily. 

Soon, your Total column will now become mobile allowing you to place it at the beginning.of your Grade Book.  By positioning it as the left-most column, the visual impact is much greater and immediate... you'll be able to easily identify where students are in any given course.

Let us know if this helps you out, or if you would like more information when it's released in a few days.

Chris Gaudreau and Mary Wiseman
Center for Online & Digital Learning

The details for these new features have been sourced from Canvas’ User Guides and Product Release Notes. If you have any specific question we would be happy to speak with you directly, please call 413-565-6880 or email us at online@baypath.edu.

iMovie, YouTube and Canvas

Oh, hello there.

Recently the Center has fielded lots of questions regarding iMovie, YouTube and Canvas integration. Putting together a comprehensive workflow to upload content to Canvas was a focus of mine over the last few days, and you can view it here.

As faculty and staff who use Canvas on a daily basis but have other tasks at hand, the last thing you want to worry about is taking extra time to find that video you uploaded to Canvas and if you are running out of your allotted space. I hope this helps.

Good luck!