Academic Success

How to Crush it in Canvas!

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 21:02:21 +0000

How to Crush it in Canvas! Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 09/09/2020 - 15:02

A&S AAC Academic Coaching Program

Canvas is ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ’s online learning platform, and a big part of academic success at ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ is learning how to use it. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, more course content than ever is delivered to students via Canvas. Whether you are new to ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ or several semesters into your academic career, check out these suggestions for engaging with Canvas and consider trying some of the strategies that apply to your online learning needs.

It’s important to note that all coursework is organized in Canvas in the same way! While most Canvas pages for your courses will have a menu/table of contents with links to course content/modules, the course syllabus, quizzes, etc., not all course instructors have designed the online components of their courses the same or organize content similarly.

Pro Tip #1: Set aside some time to read through the main menu/table of contents for each of your courses in Canvas.

For example, you might see that certain course instructors post critical dates/deadlines in the “Announcements” section of the course page frequently, while other course instructors want students to refer to their syllabus for important upcoming dates/deadlines.

Pro Tip #2: Early in the semester, block out a big chunk of time to get acquainted with the course policies, deadlines, and first due dates for each of your courses. Make note of where this information is located in the Canvas pages for each of your courses so you can refer to it when necessary.

Pro Tip #3: Log into Canvas at least once a day to explore upcoming requirements, and create a detailed map or list of tasks for yourself.

Pro Tip #4: Canvas notifications can be a great way to stay in the loop with course assignments and requirements. Be sure to turn on notifications for your classes.

Pro Tip #5: Use a planner to keep track of assignments, quiz and test dates, etc. Think about how you organize your thoughts the best and how you maintain accountability.

Are you most likely to use a paper planner/calendar, or a digital organizing app or calendar you can access via your phone or other device? Some students even prefer a combination of methods. Whatever is most helpful to you is fine!
Check out apps to help you organize, like myHomework Student Planner, Google Calendar, iCal, etc., especially if you like to set reminders in advance of due dates or test/quiz dates.
Rely on sharing information! Find a classmate and work together remotely (or in a socially distant meetup!) to organize and cross-reference important information and dates for the semester in each of your courses.

Pro Tip #6: Create folders for each class in your ŷ��ڱ��Ƶ email inbox. This way, you can move related emails to one spot and refer to them as needed.

Pro Tip #7: Feeling confused about information for a given course in Canvas? Reach out to your course instructor for clarification.

Pro Tip #8: Keep screen fatigue in mind. Between meeting on Zoom for your classes and connecting via video chat with loved ones and friends during the pandemic, sometimes screen time spent on schoolwork in Canvas can feel tiring. Set aside some screen-free time to decompress and nourish your wellbeing.

You may want to plan a socially-distant, in-person (or phone call) hangout with friends, cook a meal from scratch, or spend some time being physically active and/or meditative away from screens.
You can also schedule specific study times to complete course work in Canvas and times you will spend with your course textbooks and other offline methods of learning. Return to Canvas when you feel refreshed and ready to work!

Canvas Pro Tips from A&S Students, Fall 2020

“[In Canvas], even with professors trying their best, there is a much bigger need to teach yourself/keep on top of assignments. Sometimes finding information is so hard because there is so much information on Canvas. If you aren't learning in person with professors available to explain how they organize things, it's way easier to have things slip through the cracks. Pay attention to the details.”

“I tend to put everything into a physical planner and then exams into my Google Calendar as well (for the reminder).”

“Nearly every professor organizes their Canvas page in a different way and posts content in different areas. Review each course’s entire Canvas page and learn each class’s layout.”

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Learn How to Learn with Bloom's Taxonomy and Critical Thinking

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 16:41:03 +0000

Learn How to Learn with Bloom's Taxonomy and Critical Thinking Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/25/2020 - 10:41

A&S AAC Academic Coaching Program

Bloom’s Taxonomy represents the various categories of thinking you may engage in when you are a college student. There are many questions that you can ask yourself to check your learning and make sure you are understanding content in a deep way. When you have a complete understanding of a concept, you will feel more confident and be more prepared when you are tested on the material, which will help you learn future content in your coursework.

Below, we provide a list of each of the categories of thinking along with questions you can ask yourself in each of the areas to check for your understanding. The first steps will be simple and help you consider your learning at the most foundational levels. As the article progresses, the steps will require more critical thinking and deepen your learning.

Remember

The first category is Remembering. Remembering is described as retrieving information from your memory. Some words that are frequently used to describe this type of learning are: recognize, recall or repeat. Questions that are common for this type of learning are: who, what, where and when questions. Often, flash cards are used to facilitate the memorization of the definitions of concepts.

Understand

The next category is Understanding. Understanding is described as being able to recall information but in your own words. When you fully understand a concept, you are able to describe it in your own words. Some words that are used to describe this type of learning are: summarize, paraphrase, interpret or explain. Questions that are common for this type of learning include: What is the main idea of the concept? Describe the concept. Explain in your own words.

Apply

The next category is called Apply. Application is described as being able to apply what you know to the new concept(s) you are learning. You can think about how you can apply new concepts to the real world. Some words that are used to describe this type of learning are asking for examples, clarification or illustration of a concept(s). Questions that are common for application include: Why is this concept significant? How is this an example of something in the real world? How does this relate to another concept you are learning?

Analyze

The next category is Analyze. Analyzing is described as breaking down the concept into smaller parts. Some words that are used to describe this type of learning include: contrast, diagram, classify, examine or debate. Questions that are common for analyzing include: What are the parts of this concept? How would you break this concept into smaller parts? Where does the concept come from? Create a way to make connections between ideas and concepts in all of your classes.

Evaluate

The next category is Evaluate. Evaluation is where judgments and/or decisions are based on criteria. Some words that are used to describe this type of learning include: critique, revise, predict, rank, assess and conclude. Questions that are common for evaluation include: What is most important? Do you agree with this? Why? Provide evidence to support this concept. What assumptions are in this argument?

Create

The final category is Create. Creating new ideas, arguments, content, platforms, systems, or models are when ideas are recombined into a coherent whole. some words that are used to describe this type of learning include: diagram, ideate, plan, design, compose and actualize. Questions that are common for creating include: What ideas can you add to this? What if this were true? What patterns can you find? How would you design this?

During your time in college, while remembering and memorization are important, they are simply the foundation to learning. To incorporate deeper levels of learning and knowing, choose a concept you are learning about in class and see if you can remember the definition (remember), demonstrate your understanding (understanding), give some examples of the concept and apply it to the real world (application), and break it down into smaller components (analyze). This will help you determine how much you know, and how much you may still need to learn.

Adapted from: 1) David R. Krathwohl (2002) A Revision of Bloom's Taxonomy: An Overview, Theory Into Practice, 41:4, 212-218; and 2) Staff, TeachThought. “25 Question Stems Framed Around Bloom’s Taxonomy.” TeachThought. N.p., 15 Nov. 2015. Web.

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