What are the expectations for Canvas usage?

Starting in 16-17,  3rd grade thru 12th grade will be using Canvas (https://wdmcs.instructure.com/) to store their classroom content and materials. This will provide staff, students, and parents with one location to find classroom materials and resources.  Grades will be still be posted in Infinite Campus, but coursework will be available in Canvas.  The most basic expectation for Canvas usage is:  If your class has electronic resources and materials, we are expecting them to be distributed through Canvas.  This means that staff, students,and parents can all expect classroom materials to be available in one place, Canvas.  Note: the “S” drive or student drive will be removed this summer. Staff will still have access to their files, but students will not have access to the S drive. 

 

Do we have more specific expectations?  We are working through that conversation and at this time we are recommending two frameworks…

1. A matrix based on the Technology Integration Model (TIM) that outlines what good Canvas usage looks like.  It’s a framework for identifying good student usage of canvas.  Even though we are all at different places, it provides guidance on where we are all heading.  The challenge for this framework is that we don’t have a way to evaluate or measure where each classroom is at and whether they are truly moving in the right direction – however, it does provide a simple method of understanding good usage.

Take a look at the draft:  https://wdmtech.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/tim-canvas-integration.pdf

2) Kung Fu Canvas for training expectations.  More info at:  https://community.canvaslms.com/groups/strategies/blog/2016/08/18/kung-fu-canvas

It’s a framework for setting training expectations.  It consists of 6 levels (yellow belt all the way up to black belt).  There are standards for each level and the work can be done either online or face to face.   For expectations, we are looking at each certified staff member earning 3 belts this year – and the district will be providing opportunities to earn the 3 belts.  In fact, we are proposing that our PD days related to Canvas and 1:1 utilize the Kung Fu Canvas framework and all sessions will relate to the 6 levels or belts.

Proposal to restrict Chrome extensions

Current Policy:   Students can select and install any chrome extension they would like on their chromebook device.   We do block a few specific extensions that are known to cause issues or are inappropriate.

Problem:  There’s a growing number of inappropriate extensions and we’re seeing students who download too many extensions which cause problems for their Google account, which impacts any chromebook they use.

Suggested Change in Policy:   We will “white list” or allow a set of known reliable extensions. Staff and students can request specific extensions that need to be allowed using the online form at:  http://www.wdmcs.org/departments/technology/chromebook-1-1/chrome–extension-approval-request/ 

Note:  Only students will be restricted, staff will continue to have access to all chrome extensions.

 

Questions for you:

1.  Any thoughts/concerns related to making this change?

 

2.  Do you have any specific chrome extensions that you want students to be able to access and use?
Use the form to add them: http://www.wdmcs.org/departments/technology/chromebook-1-1/chrome–extension-approval-request/

more details:

Q1. When would this change happen?

A1.  We’re looking at the end of May.

Q2. Will students be notified of this change?

A2.  Yes, we’re working on a message that will be sent to student electronically, as well as posted online and in Infinite Campus

Q3. Will students be able to submit extensions that they want access to?
A3.  Yes.  The form available at http://www.wdmcs.org/departments/technology/chromebook-1-1/chrome-extension-approval-request/ is for staff or students to make requests.