Canvas Core Features Every Instructor Should Use
We understand that not every instructor needs to the Canvas for all their needs. Instructors may use a variety of third-party tools to support teaching and learning outside of Canvas. But no matter what platform or workflow you prefer, it’s important to provide students with a consistent experience in Canvas.
To help with that, we recommend all instructors use a few key features in Canvas. These features promote communication, transparency, and student success. Even if most of your course content lives outside of Canvas, these tools ensure that students always know where to go for updates, grades, and important information.
Announcements
Canvas Announcements lets you post course updates, reminders, and messages in a central location. Students receive notifications directly to their FSCJ email and in Canvas based on their preferences. Announcements can also appear on the Canvas homepage if enabled. Check on the following guide on how to add announcements to the Home page.
Use announcements to share weekly overviews, schedule changes, or clarifications. It’s a quick and effective way to stay connected with your class. You may want to use just one announcement at the beginning of the semester to let students know how to access course materials.
Inbox
The Canvas Inbox is a built-in messaging system for communicating with your students. It keeps all course-related messages organized and ensures that your communications stay tied to the course context.
Because students are already using Canvas, the Inbox makes it easier for them to find and reply to your messages. Messages sent through the Inbox are also delivered to students' FSCJ email accounts, increasing the chances they’ll see and respond.
Course Syllabus
The Course Syllabus area in Canvas gives students easy access to your course expectations, policies, and schedule. Since Simple Syllabus is linked directly to this section, students can view the syllabus without leaving Canvas. For more information and guidance on Simple Syllabus, visit our FSCJ Simple Syllabus site and Syllabus FAQ page.
Discussions for General Q&A
You don’t need to have discussion board assignments to benefit from this feature. Creating a single “General Questions” discussion allows students to ask course-related questions in a shared space.
Students may even answer each other’s questions before you have a chance to respond. This helps reduce repeated emails and builds a sense of community in the course. For more information, check out the following guide on Canvas Discussions.
Grades
Canvas Grades is one of the most-visited areas for students. Even if you use another system to grade assignments, many third-party tools can sync directly with the Canvas Gradebook. If you're unsure whether your tool has grade synchronization, please reach out to the EdTech team at edtech@fscj.edu so we can help verify.
If you have in-person assignments, we still recommend entering grades in Canvas so students can easily track their progress throughout the course.
Grade transparency supports student motivation and reduces confusion about where they stand in the course.
Why These Features Matter
Using these core features helps provide a consistent, reliable experience for students. They know where to find grades, how to reach you, and where to go for updates, even if the rest of the course content is hosted elsewhere.
Using Canvas also supports college-wide goals like accessibility and student retention. For instructors, Canvas simplifies communication and makes end-of-term processes easier.
If you have questions or want support integrating your tools with Canvas, the Educational Technology team is here to help. Reach out to us at edtech@fscj.edu if you have any questions or comments.