Salisbury University |  Instructional Design & Delivery Newsletter | October 20, 2020

Having Trouble with File Storage in MyClasses?

Courses in MyClasses only have 500Mb of file storage designated for use, due to storage space limitations from Canvas, the Learning Management System (LMS). While ID&D can increase course storage from time to time, due to space allocation limitations, this is not a permanent solution for faculty who need to maintain large files, such as video files or PowerPoints with large amounts of media embedded in them.

There are three main options for file storage outside of the course Files space.

• Panopto - for video files that you need to store online, Panopto offers cloud storage without the space limitations that MyClasses imposes. You can create and edit your video files elsewhere, and use Panopto to store and share video files as needed. You can find more information about Panopto on the ID&D Knowledgebase.
• Office 365 - all SU faculty, staff, and students have a Microsoft 365 account available that can be accessed by logging into Microsoft Office with your SU credentials. Large files can be added to the cloud storage offered though OneDrive, which can include large PowerPoints, as well as videos. Your OneDrive can be integrated into MyClasses through the Office 365 LTI tool.
• Non-SU cloud storage - while Panopto and Office 365 are available for use through SU, faculty, staff, and students are free to use other forms of cloud storage, such as Google Drive, YouTube, or Vimeo. These products are not supported by SU and therefore guides and troubleshooting support are not inherent to SU guides and resources.

Mid-Semester Grading Due October 25

Why is it important to provide mid-semester grading? Grades are the number one feature that students use in MyClasses and serves as the primary feedback regarding their progression in a course. In addition, mid-semester grade reporting for all students, but especially those who are performing at a D level or below, directly affects:

• Advisement during Program Planning
• Outreach by the Academic Advising Center and Center for Student Achievement
• Retention and degree completion.
• Determination before last day for regular session withdrawals (November 6)

Gradebook Tips 

Below are a few resources for features in the MyClasses Gradebook that may help you while preparing for your mid-semester grading:

Grade Posting Policy - You can hide grades for an assignment while you provide scores and feedback, then choose to manually post the grades for the assignment to all users at once.

Message Students Who - From the gradebook, you can message groups of students who either haven't submitted an assignment yet, haven't had their assignment graded yet, scored less than a specified point value, or scored lower than a specified point value. This allows you to create one uniform message that is sent indvidually to students who meet one of the selected criteria.

Filtering Gradebook Columns - The gradebook allows you to filter and sort columns and grades to quickly see specific assignments and scores for review, updating, and comparison. These filters are dynamic based on your course settings and can be added or removed at any time. These filters only apply to your gradebook view and do not alter the way your students view their grades.

Grade Override - If you have a policy in your syllabus that may effect the final grade based on course requirements outside of assignment grades, such as an attendance policy, then you may need to adjust the total score in the gradebook. The grade override option allows you to enter a new score that overrides the total score calculated by the Canvas gradebook.

Running Totals vs. Putting in Zeros  - The gradebook calculates a running total of earned points out of possible points based on the assignments with grades calculated. Assignments with dashes in the gradebook do not have those point calculated into the running total. The video linked to this section reviews how to add zeros to the gradebook in place of the dash to update the student's running total score.

Late and Missing Policies - You can apply late and missing policies to have specific points automatically deducted from a score (for late policies) or have a score automatically entered into the gradebook if an assignment is not submitted (missing). Beware that the default score for missing currently starts at 100%, so make sure you change the score if you select this option.

Supporting Online Learners through Adaptive Technology: Faculty Peer-to-Peer Workshop

This virtual event brings together USM faculty in a facilitated peer-to-peer discussion about how to effectively engage students in online learning, identify and support struggling students, and balance synchronous and asynchronous learning. Attend this event to hear from peers, share ideas, workshop problems, and explore evidence-based teaching practices and adaptive learning tools that can support student success.

This workshop will be held Friday, October 23, 10:30 a.m.-12 Noon, EST. To attend, register with USM OnTrack.

October Workshop Offerings

ID&D is offering workshops in October that focus on CidiLabs Design Tools, MyClasses Gradebook, and Panopto, and will also be hosting a focused Q&A session with MyClasses Tips and Tricks. The CidiLabs Design Tools, MyClasses Gradebook, and Panopto will require registration, while the Q&A session will be more informal and therefore won't require registration.

To view more details about each session and to register for one or more workshops, please go to the Faculty Development Calendar.

MyClasses Gradebook

Friday, October 23 ● 10-11 a.m. (EST)

Assignments and Gradebook Q&A

Friday, October 23 ● 1-2 p.m. (EST)

Advanced Design Tools Workshop

Friday, October 30 ● 10-11 a.m. (EST)

Panopto Part I

Friday, October 30 ● 1-2 p.m. (EST)

SU is an Equal Opportunity/AA/Title IX university and provides reasonable accommodation given sufficient notice to the University office or staff sponsoring the event or program. For more information regarding SU’s policies and procedures, please visit www.salisbury.edu/equity.