Session Abstract
Let’s explore a day in the life with Canvas Mobile apps. This includes the daily, real-time experience of student and use by faculty while on-the-go. This session will help teachers and designers better understand student use, how to optimize course content, minimize confusion, and create an awesome learning experience, anywhere.
Notes/Thoughts
The session is being facilitated by the Admin of the Canvas Mobile User Group (CMUG), an Instructional Designer from the University of Central Florida. It’s good to know that this type of a session isn’t just a “plug” for more people to start using the app. An interesting stat early on into the session is that there have been over 6 million app downloads.https://twitter.com/DChristianson/status/755809379715121152https://twitter.com/amysee4macc/status/755809500108468226UCF survey students every year and get a surprising response rate. Within 1 week, over 1000 responses. With their number of students using Canvas, the percentage is probably pretty small, but in just looking at the raw numbers, that’s pretty impressive.As part of the survey, the #1 most important features of the app were Grades (not surprising) and #2 was Assignments (not surprising).https://twitter.com/rzezfez/status/755810853400608768Another question is How often do you access Can vas with a computer (not mobile device) – 98%35% access Canvas with phone as much or more than a computer.Moving onto the Day in the Life with Canvas Mobile…https://twitter.com/redwolfjoy/status/755811526552920064They created a neat video on the Day in the Life with Canvas Mobilehttps://vimeo.com/174266478This was a very cheesy video, but was very helpful in seeing all of the different tasks that can be completed within the mobile app. https://twitter.com/dejonghed07/status/755815191430828032In addition to all of the tasks that can be done, there are benefits to both the instructor and student.https://twitter.com/redwolfjoy/status/755815529907040257https://twitter.com/KrysZyak/status/755815192286466048When designing contents for the mobile app, there are design considerations that should be thought through. A list of the considerations is available on the Canvas Community:https://community.canvaslms.com/videos/1745Another resource that can be used is UDOIT (University Design Online content Inspection Tool)
- Scan a course for accessibility
- Generate reports
- Provide resources on how to address common issues
Right now this tool is only for the Canvas website, but development is underway to include a mobile check. Fantastic!Here’s something to keep in mind:https://twitter.com/SchollHouseRock/status/755817616959115264
Overall
This was the best session so far, IMO. There weren’t any new features or “aha” moments, but it was a session that provided information on what students and instructors can do with the mobile app. No mobile app is perfect, and even if you don’t like the Canvas mobile app (or mobile learning, in general), it doesn’t matter. Your students will use it whether or not you want them to. Here’s some contact information on the presenters, Ryan and Luke:https://twitter.com/rzezfez/status/755817604959178752
Matthew Evins 