Students, did you take a University of Minnesota course this year (Fall ‘24 - Spring ‘25) that had a particularly great Canvas site? Something that was easy to navigate, visually appealing, or did something unexpected? Do you want an opportunity to honor your instructor(s) for their effort in creating a great Canvas site? Do you want an opportunity to receive a $25 Visa gift card? We would like to hear from you for our inaugural Canvas Course Site Hall of Fame Awards.
We are prepared to give these awards to faculty from each system campus resulting in 15 possible awards across the system. See information below for specific descriptions and details for the award categories.
About Canvas Course Site Hall of Fame Awards
What are the award category descriptions?
Teaching Support is looking for student nominations of great Canvas course sites that stand out in following award categories:
Excellence in Canvas Innovation
This award recognizes instructors who demonstrate exceptional innovation in their approach to course delivery in Canvas. It celebrates course designs that go beyond the standard methods of delivery by embracing the creative use of Canvas and educational tools within Canvas. This includes integrating interactive elements such as multimedia components, gamified learning activities, variety in assessments and tools or methods that actively encourage the sharing of knowledge. It could be a Canvas course site that is innovative in the use of Canvas features and/or other integrated academic technologies. The recipient of this award will leverage these tools to create an engaging and dynamic learning experience that enhances student understanding and participation.
Excellence in Canvas Engagement
This award recognizes an instructor who excels in creating a dynamic and inclusive Canvas course site that fosters exceptional student engagement and a strong sense of community within the course. The recipient of this award demonstrated course design and prompts that promotes a sense of student belonging by encouraging meaningful interactions among students; between students and the course materials; and between the students and the instructor. Through creative course design, this award highlights how an instructor can create an enriching learning environment where students feel connected and valued. The recipient of this award may utilize strategies such as interactive and meaningful discussion forums, collaborative group project(s) and regular feedback opportunities or something else that indicate students appreciate and learn from the regular and purposeful interactions and community building opportunities.
Excellence in Overall Canvas Site Design
This prestigious award will be presented to a course that was nominated in the previous two categories. It recognizes a course that exemplifies outstanding overall course design and an approach to using Canvas with student success in mind. The recipient of this award demonstrates a creative and holistic use of Canvas that seamlessly integrates interactive elements, innovative ways of using Canvas and other academic technologies, and community-building strategies. The result is a cohesive and engaging learning environment. The winning course stands out as a model of excellence, showcasing best practices in course site design, and setting a high standard for others to follow.
How do I nominate a course site?
Courses can be nominated for two award categories: Excellence in Canvas Innovation and Excellence in Canvas Engagement. An additional award, Excellence in Overall Site Design, will be awarded from the groups of nominated course sites.
To nominate a course site, be ready to provide the following information on the nomination form:
- Your Name
- Contact information (email/phone)
- Campus
- Instructor Name
- Course Name, Number and URL to the Canvas course site for the course you are nominating
- A brief description (4 sentences or less) saying why you would like to nominate this course
Timeline
What are the general course site criteria?
All nominated courses will be evaluated by at least two people to assure that the course meets these general criteria before being evaluated for one of the three awards:
A central space on the site orients students
- A central space on the site orients students with important information regarding the course (for example, syllabus, welcome message, U-required policies, when/where/how class meets, contact information, student support resources, textbook info)
Use of Canvas Calendar
- Calendar items are up-to-date, including due dates and important course events.
Use of Gradebook
- Gradebook is used to keep students current on their academic progress, accurately reflecting weights/points.
Accessible and inclusive course design
- Site demonstrates accessible and inclusive design.*
- *In light of the Department of Justice clarifications on Title II ADA Accessibility Requirements, we will evaluate all course winners for digital accessibility. While accessibility will be a key consideration, courses will not be disqualified if they do not fully meet accessibility standards this year. Instead, the 2024-2025 winners will be provided with guidance and support to enhance their digital accessibility practices, ensuring that all students have equitable access to high quality Canvas course sites.
Correct links
- Links present in the site work correctly.
Course Navigation
- Course navigation (left menu) shows good use of the menu to drive the content.
Course Organization
- Course content is organized for optimal clarity.
Learning Activity Expectations
- Expectations for learning activities are clearly explained and include submission information.
Alignment between content/activities and the course goals/outcome/objectives
- Course content and activities align with the syllabus and support learning goals.
What should instructors know?
Teaching Support and Academic Technologists at the University of Minnesota recognize that the design of a Canvas course site plays a crucial role in student success. Students have noted that well-designed Canvas course sites significantly influence their approach to learning. This initiative aims to honor faculty and instructors on each systemwide campus who go above and beyond when they create effective and engaging Canvas learning environments, as noted by their students. While we understand that course design and teaching are closely linked, this initiative focuses on celebrating excellence in Canvas site design.
How will instructors know they have been nominated?
Instructors whose courses are nominated will receive an email informing them of the nomination and asking permission for the nomination to proceed. The email outlines steps needed for instructor consent and it includes information about student data protections. If you have questions or concerns please reach out to [email protected]
What do winners receive?
- A $100 Visa card.
- A certificate and digital badge.
- Recognition of the winner's name and course site on a website.
- An email notifying the instructor's Department or Division Chair of the award and recognition.