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Pro Tips for Canvas Studio

Using Canvas Studio in a Modern Classroom

Last updated: 12/2022 by Marie Schuh�Note that features may have changed. Refer to the Canvas Studio Guide for help with specific features.

Why use Canvas Studio?

Canvas Studio is a communication tool that allows teachers and students to collaborate through video right within the Canvas LMS. Educators can record or upload videos, add embedded questions or discussion boards, and students can even upload their own videos.

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Educators may find the following features useful while implementing blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning:

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• Record and edit videos within Canvas
• Add embedded questions without leaving Canvas
• Comprehensive class and student-level data for each video
• Student-use of recording features
• Requirements for minimum score on video
• Accessibility features

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Explore Canvas Studio’s Platform Overview for more detailed information on how to use all Canvas Studio features.

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Tip #1: Record (and edit) your own videos right in Canvas

Canvas Studio allows educators to record instructional videos without leaving Canvas.

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• Easy to Film and Edit
• No need to go to another site or have high technological skills to edit your video.
• Videos are saved in your Canvas account with the ability to add to future classes and share with colleagues.

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• Collections: Organize videos by unit, topic or courses.
• Add details and tags to make videos easy to find later.

Tip #2: Turn videos into quizzes with embedded questions

Canvas Studio allows educators to add embedded questions into videos without using any external tools. Canvas calls this a “quiz,” though many educators simply use them as checks for understanding and an engagement strategy.

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• Question Types: Multiple choice, true/false, and multiple answer questions to be embedded with Create Quiz. Feedback can be automatically given based on student responses.
• Annotate Videos: Add pictures or “cards” with text to remind students to complete their notes or write something down.
• Multiple Quizzes: Set up different quizzes for a single video and assign them to specific students. Another avenue for differentiation.

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Use the Canvas Studio Community site for the most up-to-date directions.

Students can choose to re-watch the previous section if they are unsure of the answer.

Tip #3: Use results of video quizzes to inform instruction

When a quiz is created within a video, the educator is able to review a variety of data. You can view Item Analysis reports for a whole class overview or individual Student Results to see detailed data on specific students.

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• Item Analysis: Provides whole class stats and an analysis of each question.
• Student Results: For each student attempt, provides the following results:
• How long it took to complete the video and the date taken
• Answers the each question
• Overall score
• Enter Grades: If the Canvas Studio file is setup as an assignment, once a student submits it, the educator can view that submission in SpeedGrader, grade, and provide feedback.

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Clicking on the student’s attempt will give more details.

Tip #4: Leverage Canvas Studio for student use

Like educators, students also have access to Canvas Studio. This allows students to submit their own recorded videos or audio files as assignment responses.

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• Options:
• Educators can create assignments with required Studio responses.
• Students can record responses for Assignments and Discussion Boards.
• Custom Groups:
• Educators can assign groups for students to be able to view each others’ video responses and peer review them.
• Accomodations:
• Studio is a simple way to provide accommodations for students who many need to verbally respond or explain work rather than write.

Tip #5: Require students to receive a minimum score to complete video task

Canvas Modules allows educators set requirements for assignments and create multiple learning paths for differentiation.

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• Requirements:
• Set what students need to complete in order to move onto the activity, lesson, or module. This can include a minimum score on a video quiz in order to move on.

This is a great way to set an expectation for watching an instructional video before moving on to the next step in a lesson.

• Mastery Paths
• Based on their score from a video quiz, students will see differentiated lessons that match their learning needs.

Considering using this to set up different Must Do work for different students!

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Accessibility Features

According to Instructure, “Ensuring an accessible and pleasant experience to all users, regardless of disability, is a key focus of Canvas Studio.” Canvas provides the following:

• Easy access to captioning
• Educators can turn on automatic show closed captioning.
• Students can easily turn on captions for any video in Canvas.
• Screen readers and browsers
• Mac: VoiceOver
• PC: JAWS or NVDA

Using Canvas Studio also improves accessibility for all users with:

• Ease of navigation: Students have no additional logins to watch and create videos. No need to navigate away from Canvas.
• Mobile device compatibility: Canvas Studio supports use of mobile devices, allowing all students to participate in lessons.

Note that Canvas also has its own Accessibility Checker.

Next Steps with Canvas Studio

modernclassrooms.org

Like any instructional technology tool, as you begin using Canvas Studio remember that it can do many things. Don’t feel like you have to use all of the features to start. See below for where you might begin.