Canvas and Microsoft: A Formidable Team! (no pun intended)
Canvas and Microsoft make an incredible team! There are so many things you can do.
Canvas and Microsoft have worked together to connect within Instructure’s Learning Management System, Canvas. They come together in many different areas for a quite seamless integration. Here are some of the options you have when working with Office 365 and Canvas:
Access OneDrive from Within Canvas
Both students and staff have the ability to connect their OneDrive accounts with Canvas. Select the Microsoft OneDrive option from your course navigation. Then insert your Microsoft Office 365 credentials to sign into OneDrive within Canvas. Once the connection is made within one course you should have access from within all courses.
Add a Collaboration Document for a Group of Students
As a teacher, create collaborative documents for students. You can control who has access and be able to monitor their work right from within Canvas. Document types that can be shared include Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Learn more here: Create an O365 Collaboration as an Instructor.
Submit an Assignment from OneDrive
A student has the ability to submit a Canvas assignment from his/her OneDrive. When submitting for a file upload, Microsoft OneDrive is an option students can choose from once they have their account connected. Once OneDrive is selected they will see a list of their folders and files from OneDrive. They simply need to navigate to the file they need and select it. Learn more here: Submit an Assignment from OneDrive
Create a Cloud Assignment (Template for Students)
You have the ability, as the instructor, to create a cloud assignment for your students in Canvas. This allows you to create a file template for students to complete. Add a file from your OneDrive as a template. Students will click on the file within the assignment, and it will create a copy of that file in the students’ OneDrive accounts. They can complete the assignment and turn it in once they are done. The file will live in their OneDrive so that they can revisit it as needed. Learn more here: Create a Canvas Cloud Assignment and Submit a Canvas Cloud Assignment
Create a OneNote Class Notebook
You can create a OneNote Class Notebook from within Canvas. Doing it from within the LMS will automatically enroll all your students to the notebook and build their personal Section that only you and they can access. Open the course you wish to add the notebook to. Then click on the Class Notebook option in your course navigation. It will prompt you to log into OneNote and start building your notebook. Once that is complete, the notebook will enroll your students and build out the sections. The notebook will then be accessible. Learn more here: Class Notebook add-in for OneNote
Integrate Canvas and Microsoft Teams
You have the ability to integrate Canvas with Microsoft Teams. While some of the options for each can overlap, such as submitting assignments, the integration allows you to add Teams meeting information to Canvas’ calendar. This can be very helpful as students can then focus on their Canvas calendars only when working within a course. Learn more here: Canvas and Microsoft Teams
Ideas for Implementation
Do you need more information and support with the Canvas and Microsoft integration features? Reach out to EdtotheMax Team to discuss resources and training!
Contributor: Paul Wagner
Paul is a Digital Learning Coordinator for a school district near Houston, TX. He oversees the instructional programs his district supports.
Follow Paul on Twitter: @pwagnerlcisd