AUGUST 15, 2023 — UTSA has modernized key technologies to provide students with a versatile toolset that helps them stay organized, connect with peers and instructors and prepares them for future careers.
“UTSA is committed to continually improving its learning platforms and tools to ensure faculty can more easily connect, engage and prepare students for their careers,” said Heather Shipley, UTSA interim provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our academic support divisions have carefully curated a variety of tools, training and classroom strategies that prepare our students to thrive in a digitally connected, fast-paced world.”
UTSA has upgraded its university-wide learning management system (LMS) to Canvas, where students and faculty will engage with class assignments, assessments and materials.
With Canvas, students get a head-start on smart organization
Unlike its predecessor, Canvas delivers a modern digital experience, whether students use it on a desktop computer or the official Canvas iOS and Android mobile apps. Students can also automatically sync assignments and deadlines to their calendars and access an auto-generated ‘to-do’ list to help them plan and manage their classwork. Canvas has enhanced integration with dozens of third-party tools like Zoom, Adobe and Microsoft 365.
Additionally, with its integration with Ally, Canvas can provide alternative formats for materials and an immersive screen reader. Students can access Canvas 24/7 support via email, phone or chat from the new LMS dashboard.
On August 17, students can begin to explore their fall 2023 courses on Canvas before the start of the semester. The Canvas+UTSA website has dedicated resources for students, including video tutorials, guides and suggestions on how students can harness the power of Canvas to get organized and succeed. Additionally, students will continue to have access to their course assignments and materials from previous classes to reference past materials, build a professional portfolio of work, and form stronger bonds with former classmates or instructors more easily.
Canvas provides new ways for faculty to engage with students and streamline work
The new LMS also provides faculty with a broader ability to enhance their courses with media and engagement tools, connect more easily with students and have a better grading experience. Since Spring 2023, the UTSA Division of Academic Innovation has devoted staff, time and resources to creating and tailoring resources for UTSA faculty.
Canvas also creates new opportunities to develop innovative assignments. With Canvas, it’s easier to create and manage assignments and students can now submit a variety of file types, including videos, photos and other electronic media, allowing them to build a professional portfolio and flex their digital literacy skills. Faculty can use the tools in Canvas to streamline the grading process, provide direct feedback to students and comment on assignments as if they were grading them by hand.
Academic Innovation has expanded its in-person Main Campus Faculty Support hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Academic Innovation Center (MS 240) through September 8 to help faculty prepare for the first day of school. Faculty can also check the Downtown Campus in-person support schedule. Faculty can find more information about dedicated resources, training and other support on the Canvas website.
Students will have access to a new modern interface on ASAP, the student portal, beginning September 25. As part of the upgrade, ASAP will be renamed to myUTSA Account to reflect a single digital platform to access student information and launch all available applications, including Canvas, from a single location.
The upgraded mobile-friendly interface introduces a dynamic layout of information and resources through visual cards. Student can personalize their main page by adding, moving or removing cards to accommodate their preferences. They can also easily check their class schedule, review their DegreeWorks progress, access financial aid, register for classes and pay bills with greater ease and flexibility. Additionally, all available applications are now organized in a central area that serves as a one-click launch pad.
During the transition, the current interface will still be available as the ‘classic view’; while the new platform will be labeled as the ‘modern view’. More information will be shared early in Fall 2023.
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