MV Center for Teaching and Learning

One of the best places to begin learning how to build continuity for your classes as you transition to online learning is using the resources MV has to offer - START with the Center for Teaching and Learning. They have plenty of resources on their website, things like, Be Canvas READY checklist, Jumpstart Canvas Training, Canvas Guides, a Basic Canvas Course Template to get you started, and even a form to Request Assistance. They will also be running several info sessions and have open labs throughout the week of March 16–20.

A few notes

I participated in a panel discussion at SXU on Technology Enhances Academic Communication in University Pedagogy (Tea Cup) which compared and contrasted different instructional technologies used to communicate with students. Here is a link to the online resource.
Our students might also need help Adapting to Change and learning Basic Technology and Computer Basics. Be prepared to share some information about this topic.

Library - Research

MV Library​

Online Learning
  • Go to Innovative Educators.Then, (1) Create an account, (2)  Fill out the information about who you are and where you study, (3) Start utilizing online orientation and student success workshops!
  • ​​Top Hat - Remote learning, live sessions, test proctoring, and more.
  • Working and Learning Online During a Pandemic | Pearson
  • Wiley Press is offering free content to assist with building classes. Their content hub offers videos, webinars, and PDFs. Or reach out to Customer Success Specialists for any additional training needs. They are also offering free access to digital courseware. You can fill out a Request Form online.

Canvas Information

Canvas is MV's Learning Management System (LMS). It is used for sharing all sorts of things with students from simply sharing supplemental materials for a face-to-face course or facilitating online learning.
Internet Browser 
Canvas has a lot of training information in their website guides for ​​Instructors, Students, and even Video Guide too!
Mobile Devices
Not all features are available through the apps, but the are a great resource.
Key Tools/Features
Communication
  • Announcements - Share a message across your to your class. Great for updates, reminders about deadlines, clarification, and more.
  • Chat - Live chat with your students right in Canvas.
  • Conferences - Video conference with your students. Great for live session, lectures, presentations, and critique.
  • Inbox - Similar to email but provides easy access to entire class lists or individual students. 
Settings
Content
  • Assignments - Are projects or discussions that can be submitted and graded right through the Canvas interface using SpeedGrader. 
  • Files - A place for you to store documents that you can share by linking to them in any Canvas Announcement, Discussion, Assignment, or Page.
  • Modules - Modules are a way to organize your information, think of them like folders.
  • ​Page - Think of it like a single web page or document. They are great for sharing lecture notes, details, and topics. You can embed files, documents, videos, and link to URLs.
  • Rich Content Editor (new version) - You use the RCE to style your page, just like the Ribbon in MS Word. Choose font styles, share images and videos, add links, and much more.
  • Quizzes - Used for quizzes, exams, and surveys. Can be graded or ungraded.
Do not forget to publish your course to allow student access!

Need Graphics, Videos/Audio, or Screen capture?

  • Pixabay - Stunning free images & royalty free stock​.
  • ​Pexels - ​The best free stock photos & videos shared by talented creators.
  • Upsplash - The internet’s source of freely usable images.
  • UTF8 Icons - Find icons, simply copy/paste to your site.
  • Icon Finder - Inexpensive icons.
  • The Noun Project - Icons for Everyone.
  • VectorStock - inexpensive vector graphics.

Google Products

Google Drive is the hub for the Google Suite of products that you can access for free with a Gmail Account.
​Google Drive Help.
Google Docs -  Write, edit, and collaborate on documents. 
​
​Go to Google Docs. Get Help. 
Google Sheets - Create, edit, and collaborate on spreadsheets.

​Go to Google Sheets. Get Help.
Google Slides - Create, edit, collaborate, and present slides. 

​Go to Google Slides. Get Help.
Google Forms - Collect and organize info, big and small. 

​Go to Google Forms. Get Help.
Google Hangouts - Meet face-to-face (virtually) with students using video conferencing tool.
​Get Help.
Google Voice - Connect by forwarding calls/texts from a G-Voice number to personal phone.
​Get Help.
GCF Learn has tutorials on how to use Google Suite. 

Adobe and Alternatives

Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Mobile Apps
Vertical Divider
Alternatives to Adobe Products
  • Affinity - Publisher (layout), Photo (photo editor), and Designer (graphic design and illustration)
  • Audacity for audio
  • Corel Painter for drawing and illustration
  • Procreate​ for drawing and illustration

Art & Design Resources

Distance Learning for Studio Art Classes | SMSU - has some language you might want to use for communicating to students.
Ceramics/3D
Drawing
Letterpress/Printmaking
Photo Photo Blogs
​(possible use for museum papers) 
Art History Art Blogs
​(possible use for museum papers) ​
Varied Topics
Design
Animation
Memberships and Resources
Formal Elements
GCF Learn has videos on all sorts of Creativity and Design topics including: Intro to Graphic Design: 
If you have resources you would like to share here, please send me a note.

Fun Activities!

During this unprecedented time it is important to take care of yourself. I am compiling a list of fun activities for all ages.
Chris Matusek | Copyright © 2025