As you and your students get started, here are a few key features and resources to keep in mind:

1. Canvas Inbox

Canvas has a built-in, internal messaging system. Instead of having a Canvas-specific email, messages will remain in Canvas but can be forwarded to your MSU email. We encourage all instructors and students to set this up.

How do I use the Canvas Inbox?

2. Grades in Canvas vs. D2L/Brightspace

The Canvas Gradebook works differently from the D2L/Brightspace gradebook. Pay close attention to how you set up assignment weights and how you calculate final grades, especially when using categories. Manage your graded activities under the Assignments area: add and remove columns from your gradebook, weight assignment categories, and drop the lowest scores in one convenient place.

Understanding Canvas Grading

3. LTIs and External Tools

In D2L/Brightspace, instructors were required to request that external tools, such as publisher content, be added to their courses. These tools are now automatically integrated into Canvas. For assistance, please contact your publisher or vendor.

How To Find Integrated Tools Within My Canvas Course

4. Item Banks (Question Libraries)

In D2L/Brightspace, you used “Question Libraries.” Canvas refers to these as Item Banks. You can access them from your course navigation or within a quiz, where you can view, edit, and organize questions.

How do I manage item banks in New Quizzes?

How do I add an item from an item bank to a quiz in New Quizzes?

5. Creating and Editing Quizzes

At MSU, we utilize New Quizzes, which offer a wider range of question types and increased flexibility compared to Classic Quizzes.

How do I edit a quiz in New Quizzes?

Need help?

We're hosting drop-in sessions every day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Barnard 127 through September 12. You can also visit our Canvas Help Page for tutorials, quick guides, and additional resources.

Thank you,

Dr. Tracy A.O. Dougher
Vice Provost for Curriculum, Assessment, and Accreditation
Accreditation Liaison Officer
212 Montana Hall
406-994-3790