Synchronous Online Instruction

Below is a chart that focuses on the kinds of tasks faculty may be using in their face-to-face classrooms that can be achieved using different tools on Canvas. While Canvas allows for a wide range of options for online teaching, if you are less comfortable with technology overall, we suggest that you focus on working with and through ONE of the Canvas tools that allows for synchronous connectivity—Conference, Studio, Discussion Boards—rather than trying to master all at once.

If you are less comfortable with Canvas, or would like a review, we have created an online Canvas Refresher course. If you would prefer a face-to-face Canvas Basics course, you can sign up here.

Tasks	Tools	Tutorials
Virtual real-time meeting/lecture/discussion with students	Zoom, Chat, Microsoft Teams, etc.	Managing Zoom Meetings Using the Canvas Chat Tool to chat with your students  Using Microsoft Teams to chat and video conference  Zoom and Teams Comparison Chart
Leading/engaging in synchronous discussions online	Discussion Board on Canvas	Creating Canvas discussion boards
Lecture Recording, screen capturing, video discussions	Panopto Studio on Canvas	Recording lectures and screen capturing with Panopto Adding Panopto videos to a course page Using Panopto for video discussions Recording lectures and screen capturing with Canvas Studio  Recording lectures and screen capturing with Canvas Studio  Adding Canvas Studio videos to a course page  Using Canvas Studio for Video Discussions  Adding and recording audio to PowerPoint slides
Engaging in synchronous small group work/discussion	Groups on Canvas	Create Groups in a Canvas course  Create group assignments  Create group discussions  Monitor student activity in groups
Holding virtual office hours	Zoom, Conferences on Canvas, Microsoft Teams	Managing Zoom Meetings Video Conferencing with your students using the Canvas Conferences tool  Using Microsoft Teams to chat and video conference  Zoom and Teams Comparison Chart
Providing course content (handouts, videos, audio files, readings)	Populating Modules on Canvas – YouTube, TED, etc.	Adding materials to Canvas modules Uploading a file to Canvas pages, assignments, discussions, etc.  Embedding videos from the web (YouTube, Vimeo, Ted) within Canvas pages, assignments, discussions, etc.  Adding Canvas Studio videos to a course page
Setting up in-class, synchronous assignments	Assignments on Canvas	Creating assignments within a Canvas class Setting up Canvas  Assignments for online submission

For more information, we also recommend the following resources: 

American University 

DePaul University 

The University of Washington, Seattle 

Canvas offers 24/27 support, which includes telephone and chat support. Contact them with any questions about how to use any component within Canvas and Canvas Studio, as well as with any problem that you encounter with the system. 

In order to provide additional support, we have identified staff and/or faculty in every department who can offer disciplinary-specific advice on how to convert coursework to an online setting. You may view a list of these faculty and staff in this document.

Through Team Dynamix, faculty and staff can also request support for outstanding issues where technical assistance is necessary.

If you have additional questions that aren’t able to be addressed through our Canvas Refresher, a Canvas Basics course, or your department contacts, contact Academic Technology (canvaslms@colum.edu). 

Ames Hawkins (ahawkins@colum.edu) is also available to field pedagogical questions regarding online teaching.