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Upcoming Programs & Events

Canvas in Practice: Strategies for Course Design and Student Success

Calculating Final Grades

Date/Time:
Tues, Apr 28, 12-12:45pm
Presenters:
Ann Loomis, LMS Administrator
Description:
This workshop will guide instructors through the final steps of posting grades in Canvas, including configuring Gradebook settings, choosing between points-based and weighted grading, managing missing and late submissions, incorporating extra credit, and addressing common grading issues.

Online Testing (Quizzes)

Dates/Times:
This workshop was already held.
Presenters:
Yajaira Garcia, Instructional Designer
Description:
Design and deliver effective online quizzes. This workshop will cover quiz setup, question types, availability and accommodation settings, and best practices to support authentic student learning.

Course Organization & Learning Outcomes

Date/Time:
This workshop was already held.
Presenter:
Donya Rahimi, Instructional Designer
Description:
A well-organized Canvas course makes learning easier and more engaging. This workshop focuses on effective Canvas navigation and course organization using best practices for modules, navigation menus, and the syllabus, while highlighting the role of clear learning outcomes in guiding student learning.

Communications (i.e., Announcements, Messaging)

Date/Time:
This workshop was already held.
Presenter:
Yajaira Garcia, Instructional Designer
Description:
This workshop will cover Canvas communication tools like Announcements, Inbox, and Discussions. We’ll share some tips, examples, and best practices for setting expectations, reducing confusion, and supporting student engagement.

Transparent Assignments & Assignment Collection

Date/Time:
This workshop was already held.
Presenters:
Donya Rahimi, Instructional Designer
Marisela Chavez, Executive Director
Description:
Clear, transparent assignments help students focus on learning rather than guessing expectations. This workshop explores principles of transparent assignment design alongside practical guidance for setting up assignments in Canvas. Topics include writing clear assignment instructions, articulating purpose and criteria, and using Canvas tools to configure submission types and due dates.

Assignment Grading & Feedback (Speedgrader)

Date/Time:
This workshop was cancelled.
Presenters:
Toni Davis, Instructional Designer
Description:
This workshop focuses on using Canvas SpeedGrader to streamline the grading process and provide learner feedback. Topics include navigating SpeedGrader, using rubrics and annotations, leaving typed, audio, or video feedback, and practical grading workflows.

NOTE: This workshop has been cancelled. For additional Canvas resources please visit our Canvas support pages.

CHAI Workshops

Led by CHAI faculty in partnership with CAFE, Community of Practice meetings (90 minutes) are designed to be pedagogically grounded, discipline-relevant, and highly practical.

Each meeting begins with a brief faculty-led example from real courses, followed by dedicated Bring Your Own Materials (BYOM) work time to collaborate and share strategies to create more accessible and inclusive teaching and learning for your students. Attend one session or the full series.

Schedule for College of Business Administration and Collins College of Hospitality Management Community of Practice Meetings

Using TidyUP and UDOIT to Improve Accessibility in Canvas

Date: Thursday, April 30, 11:30 am - 1 pm, zoom
Overview: In this hands-on session with TidyUP and UDOIT, you will learn how to run course scans, interpret reports, and prioritize improvements. Dedicated work time allows participants to begin making updates during the session.

Accessibility with PDFs

Date: This workshop was already held.
Overview: This session focuses on creating and remediating accessible PDFs, including guidance on scanned documents, textbook/Instant Access materials, and Library resources. Bring your own PDFs to review and improve during the session.This workshop has already been held.This workshop has already been held.

Building Inclusive Canvas Modules and Assignments

Date: This workshop was already held.
Overview: In this session, we’ll explore how to design Canvas modules and assignments that are clear, inclusive, and easy to navigate. Topics include student-friendly organization, transparent expectations, and reviewing assignments for inclusive framing.

Schedule for CLASS, CEIS, and ENV Community of Practice Meetings

Using TidyUP and UDOIT to Improve Accessibility in Canvas

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 9:30am to 11am
Location: TBD
Overview: This hands-on session introduces TidyUP and UDOIT, two tools that help identify and address accessibility issues in Canvas. Faculty will learn how to run course scans, interpret reports, and prioritize improvements. Dedicated work time allows participants to begin making updates during the session. Leave with practical steps for maintaining an organized, accessible Canvas course.

Accessibility with PDFs

Date: This workshop was already held.
Overview: This session focuses on creating and remediating accessible PDFs, including guidance on scanned documents, textbook/Instant Access materials, and Library resources. Participants will learn practical strategies to ensure course readings are usable for all students. Bring your own PDFs to review and improve during the session.

Building Inclusive Canvas Modules and Assignments

Date: This workshop was already held.
Overview: In this session, we’ll explore how to design Canvas modules and assignments that are clear, inclusive, and easy to navigate—especially in large or online courses. Topics include student-friendly organization, transparent expectations, and reviewing assignments for inclusive framing. Participants will have time to apply these strategies to their own courses.

On Your Own Resources

Resources for New Lecturers

CAFE has lots of support for new and returning lecturers view details

Resources for New Lecturers

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Getting classes ready

If lecturers want to begin preparing courses in Canvas before they have access to CPP’s Canvas, they can do so: Go to and sign up for a free teacher account. Build courses there, then when ready download the course package and upload it to CPP Canvas (CAFE Canvas team can help with this).

Using Canvas

• CAFE’s self-enrollable : A basic introduction for faculty who are new to using Canvas. Learn to maintain a current syllabus, maintain an up-to-date gradebook, communicate with students, and provide instructional materials that are accessible to students with disabilities. Requires CPP login.
• LinkedIn Learning : A basic introduction for faculty who are new to using Canvas. Learn how to set up a class, add assignments, grade in Canvas, communicate with students, add multimedia, and leverage Canvas for student success. Requires CPP login or a LinkedIn Learning account.
• CAFE’s Canvas support page: Video playlists, tutorials, and CAFE contact information. Does not require CPP login.
• canvas@cpp.edu: Send a request for Canvas help or consultation; a member of CAFE will respond

Effective Teaching Strategies

• Getting Started: Basics of Course Design: No matter what format you are teaching in -- face to face, hybrid, synchronous, asynchronous, hyflex, or something else -- backwards design is the way to create an effective course.

Getting Help in General

• Everybody's Mentor: Lisa Kessler, CAFE faculty associate, provides individual, confidential consultation and coaching. Email Lisa to set up an appointment.
• Get help Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm via CAFE’s Studio 6 at 909-869-3099

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Fundamentals of Accessibility

Format: Online via Canvas
Overview: The Fundamentals of Accessibility eCertificate will show you how to get started with incorporating best accessibility practices as an instructor at Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½; certificate available for completion.

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Fundamentals of Accessibility

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All students should have the joy of learning, the freedom to grow, and the benefits of education! Accessibility of course materials and Universal Design for Learning helps make that vision a reality. In this self-paced, self-enrollable, certificate course get background and practical strategies, and also develop empathy for the needs of all students.

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Intro to Teaching with Canvas Course

Format: Online via Canvas
Overview: This course will walk you through the basic steps for using Canvas to offer a good experience for your students.

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Intro to Teaching with Canvas Course

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If you're new to Canvas or you want a refresher on basics, the self-enroll Intro to Teaching with Canvas Course will allow you to walk through basic steps for using Canvas to offer a good experience for your students (and therefore an easier experience for you). Go to the course to self-enroll with your Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Bronco credentials.

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