How to Develop Social Relationships Through Canvas LMS

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1Interacting with Others Through Canvas LMS

2Understanding the Importance of Social Relationships in Online Learning

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Canvas is a learning management system that enables students to access their coursework and grades and communicate with their instructor and other students. In this era of online learning, Canvas is an important tool for staying connected in the virtual classroom. Regardless of course type or content, social relationships are an important part of student success. This How.com.vn provides steps for how to use Canvas to develop these relationships as well as insight into their importance for virtual learning.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Interacting with Others Through Canvas LMS

1. 
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   Edit your profile. This step will act as an introduction to your fellow course members, including your instructor, so be professional. Please note that some universities enable different features on their Canvas pages and you might not have a student profile.

   • Click on "Account" on the far left hand side.
   • Click "Profile."
   • Click "Edit Profile" on the right.
   • Click the circle to the left of your name to add a photo. Choose between "Upload a Picture," "Take a Picture," and "From Gravatar," then click "Save."
   • Type a short bio including your area of study and anything else you would like to share under the "Biography" section.
   • Attach and name any links to a personal website or e-portfolio under the "Links" section where you can copy and paste your link.
   • Click "Save" when you're finished.
2. 
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   Add registered services to your account. Canvas allows you to connect your Google Drive, Skype, and Twitter accounts to foster communication between course members. Adding your Google Drive will enable you to collaborate on documents, Skype will allow course members to converse with you over voice or video call, and Twitter will let them connect with you online.

   • Click "Settings" from the menu on the left.
   • View "Other Services" and click any of the services to register.
   • Click "Authorize Access" and follow the prompts to connect your accounts. Be aware that this will take you to a new page to log into your account.
3. 
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   Participate in discussion board posts. Your instructor may create discussion boards where they ask you to respond to a question or course text. Your responses are viewed by all members of the course and can be replied to by the instructor and other students. This feature must be enabled by the instructor in order to be accessed, so don't worry if no discussion threads are available.

   • Click "Courses" on the left and select a course.
   • Find "Discussions" on the left side of the menu.
   • Click on any available discussion threads and click "Reply" to type your response and "Post Reply" when finished.
   • Read responses from classmates and reply to them. Remember that a discussion board is a class discussion, so don't be afraid to be part of the conversation. One benefit of online discussion posts is that you have more time to formulate your response than you would in person, so take your time to fully articulate your ideas.
4. 
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   Use the "Inbox" feature to contact individuals in your course. This feature sends an email through Canvas without needing an individual's email address. This is useful if you need to reach your instructor, a few students you're working on a project with, or even the entire class.

   • Click on "Inbox" on the far left side.
   • Click the square containing a pencil on the upper right to compose a new message.
   • Select a course from the dropdown menu.
   • Select the recipients by typing their names into the "To" bar or by clicking the square to the right and choosing between "All," "Teachers," or "Students" to select individuals by name.
   • Consider starting a group chat by sending a link to WhatsApp or another group chat app in the body of the message to communicate in real time with classmates.
5. 
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   Make the most of video calls if your course uses them. Some online-only courses may be completely asynchronous, but others might have scheduled calls on Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, etc.

   • Click on a course from the dashboard to view the course content.
   • Click "Zoom" on the bottom left menu if your college or university has purchased a Zoom license. You will be able to view a list of upcoming meetings, previous meetings, and any cloud recordings that may have been taken.
   • Be sure you're familiar with the video chat platform and practice ahead of time with friends or read up on how to use the Zoom app.
   • Be on time to any video meetings as you would for an in-person class and allot a little extra time for any technical difficulties you may experience.
   • Ask questions while your instructor is in the chat, you don't want to have to send an email later just to clarify one small detail.
   • Use the video time to meet your course members properly and put faces and voices to names. As much as you may communicate in discussion board posts, the format can feel a little impersonal or anonymous.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Understanding the Importance of Social Relationships in Online Learning

1. 
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   Know why social interaction is important to learning.

   • Socialization helps students process difficult emotions or events, like a global pandemic, and can be instrumental in coping and recovery.
   • Social interaction helps students stay motivated and engaged and can boost performance.
   • Collaboration with others prepares students for the networking skills they will need in their future careers.
2. 
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   Understand that online learning can still be social.

   • Peer learning through group work can still occur online in video chats and breakout rooms.
   • Sharing work is easy online and collaborations still create strong bonds between participants in a short period of time.
   • Participation is often a graded component, especially in online only courses, so be sure to speak up. It also helps your instructor know that you're all on the same page. If you're struggling with something let them know, asking questions is part of the learning process and they're here to help you.
   • Online team building through Google Docs, Canvas LMS, social media, or group chats can help a group realize common goals. This is especially important for online learning because it can be harder to accomplish virtually than in-person.
3. 
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   Remember the online classroom is still a classroom.

   • Defining rules for online behavior will minimize distractions like background noise and talking over each other. Agreeing on a set of rules for "netiquette" will help create a respectful environment for everyone.
   • Instructors who desire a more relaxed environment for their course might consider implementing a few light activities and informal chats throughout the semester.
   • Remember that online students are in different locations juggling different responsibilities and life events. Encouraging them to share their experiences can foster connection and understanding between all parties and help the classroom feel like a community.
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Tips

• Check your school email frequently for Canvas notifications.
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• Check your email and school social media pages for information on virtual events that will connect you with other students.
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