Scheduling a conference in Canvas allows educators to host live virtual meetings, lectures, and discussions directly within their course environment, fostering real-time interaction with students. It's a straightforward process designed to integrate seamlessly with your teaching workflow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Scheduling a Canvas Conference
Follow these simple steps to set up your next online meeting or lecture in Canvas:
1. Access the Conferences Tool
Begin by navigating to the specific course in Canvas where you wish to schedule the conference.
- In your Course Navigation menu on the left side, locate and click the link for your institution's designated web conferencing tool. This link's name can vary, often appearing as "Conferences," "BigBlueButton," "Zoom," or similar, depending on the tool integrated by your school.
- Once clicked, you'll be directed to the conferences interface, which lists any existing or upcoming sessions.
2. Initiate a New Conference
From the conferences page, you'll need to create a new session.
- Look for and click the "Add Conference" button. This button is typically prominent and clearly labeled, signaling the start of the conference creation process.
3. Configure Your Conference Settings
A form will appear, prompting you to define the essential details of your conference. This is where you customize your session to meet your specific needs.
- Name: Provide a clear and descriptive name for your conference. Examples include "Module 4 Lecture," "Weekly Q&A Session," or "Project Group Meeting."
- Description (Optional): Add any relevant details about the conference's purpose, agenda, or topics to be covered. This helps attendees prepare.
- Duration: Specify the intended length of your conference in minutes. You also have the option to select "No time limit" for open-ended sessions.
- Enable Recording for this Conference: It's highly recommended to check this box if you want to record the session. Recordings allow students who missed the live session to catch up and provide a valuable resource for review.
- Invite All Course Members: By default, this option is usually checked, inviting everyone enrolled in your course. If you need to invite a select group of students (e.g., for a specific project group), you may have the option to deselect this and choose individual students or groups.
After setting all your preferences, click the "Create" button to save your configurations and officially schedule your conference.
4. View and Manage Your Conference
Once created, your conference will be listed within the conferences section of your course.
- Your newly scheduled conference will now appear under the "New Conferences" or "Upcoming Conferences" section.
- From here, you can Start the conference when it's time, Edit its settings if adjustments are needed before it begins, or Delete it if it's no longer required.
- If you enabled recording, a link to the processed recording will typically appear alongside the conference entry once the session has concluded and the recording is ready.
Tips for an Effective Canvas Conference
To maximize the impact of your online conferences, consider these practical insights:
- Test Your Equipment: Before starting, ensure your microphone, webcam, and internet connection are working properly.
- Communicate Clearly: Inform students about the conference schedule, how to join, and any expectations for participation well in advance.
- Prepare an Agenda: Having a clear plan or outline helps keep the discussion focused and on track.
- Utilize Interactive Features: Encourage engagement through chat, polls, and screen sharing, if available within your conferencing tool.
- Leverage Recordings: Remind students that recordings are available for review, especially for complex topics or if attendance is optional.
Common Conferencing Tools in Canvas
While Canvas offers its native integration, often powered by BigBlueButton, many institutions also connect other popular conferencing platforms. The steps outlined above are general, but minor variations might occur based on whether your institution uses BigBlueButton, Zoom, or another service for conferences. Always refer to your institution's specific Canvas guides for detailed information.
For more detailed guidance, explore the official Canvas Guides.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | A clear, descriptive title for the meeting. |
| Description | Optional notes, agenda, or purpose of the conference. |
| Duration | The planned length of the session, or "No time limit." |
| Enable Recording | Allows students to review the session later. |
| Invite Members | Determines who receives an invitation (all course members by default). |
