Aligning Teaching Goals with Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning in Canvas

Use Text Headers within a module to organize learning around each class meeting.

For example:

• Pre-Class (preparation activities),
• In-Class (Zoom link, slides, collaborative activities), and
• Post-Class (discussion, reflection, assignment, recording, or additional resources).

Modules, Text Headers

Students attend a live mini-lecture in Zoom where concepts are introduced, questions are answered, and examples are discussed in real time.

Modules, Pages, Files, Quizzes, Zoom

The instructor asks questions during a live session using Zoom polls or verbal check-ins to gauge understanding and adjust instruction as needed.

Quizzes, Zoom

Students participate in a live discussion or breakout room activity, then continue the conversation afterward in a Canvas Discussion to encourage deeper reflection.

Discussions, Zoom

Students collaborate during live breakout rooms to solve a case study, analyze data, or create a shared deliverable before reporting back to the class.

Groups, Discussions, Zoom

Students work through the same case study or simulation together during class, discussing their reasoning and receiving immediate instructor feedback.

Assignments, Discussions, Zoom

Instructors provide immediate verbal feedback during live activities and follow up with individualized comments or rubric feedback in SpeedGrader after class.

Assignments, SpeedGrader, Rubrics

Students complete a brief reflection at the end of a live session before submitting a more detailed reflection in Canvas after class.

Assignments, Discussions, Quizzes

Announcements provide reminders before and after live sessions, while Canvas Inbox is used to share follow-up resources and answer questions that arise during class.

Announcements, Inbox