Navigating Clark College Canvas: A Comprehensive Guide
Clark College provides a wealth of resources and support for students and faculty alike, particularly when it comes to utilizing the Canvas Learning Management System. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource to help you navigate Canvas and succeed in your academic journey at Clark College.
Introduction to Canvas at Clark College
Canvas is the central hub for online learning at Clark College, offering access to course materials, assignments, grades, and communication tools. Whether you're a student taking eLearning courses or a faculty member designing online content, understanding Canvas is crucial. For those new to Canvas, eLearning Services offers various resources to learn how to use Canvas at your own pace. If you’re new to Canvas and would like an overview of the basics, you can schedule an appointment with one of the Instructional Designers in eLearning.
Getting Started with Canvas
Initial Steps for Students
Orientation: The first and most important task is to complete orientation to familiarize yourself with resources during your time at Clark.
Placement: Ensure you have math and English placement completed before planning and registering for classes to take the necessary classes. Your individual situation determines what placement path is best for you. If unsure, the assessment paths is a great place to start to find your next step.
Advising: Schedule an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor before registering for classes. Meeting with an Academic Advisor prior to registering is recommended to ensure proper course selection. Appointments can be scheduled two weeks in advance and if nothing is available when you check, please try again the following day as more open daily.
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ctcLink Account: Access the Clark Canvas site through your ctcLink account.
Registration: If you have not registered for the upcoming term, now is the time. Follow the steps to register for the classes.
Logging In and Accessing Courses
Find the "Logging into Canvas" area of the Clark Canvas site to get started. It is a good idea to log into your course earlier in the day on the first day of the term to make the course available to you. Logging in is the same as not showing up to the first day of an in-person class.
eLearning vs. Traditional Courses
eLearning courses are different from traditional face-to-face classes. The following resources available to help you succeed. Familiarizing yourself with the Canvas Learning Management System at the start of the term will aid in a smoother start in your eLearning course.
Essential Canvas Features and Tools
Course Syllabus and Modules
Every course syllabus is available online. Get familiar with how your Professor has designed the class. Look for assignments your instructor may have for you. Often, instructors have modules available on a week-by-week basis.
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Communication and Support
If you are confused, seek clarification. Your instructors can't tell if you are confused or having a problem unless you tell them. Ask. Instructors should provide information and turn-around time when you can expect a response.
Canvas Teacher App
The Canvas Teacher App allows teachers to facilitate their courses on the go, both inside and outside the classroom.
Resources for Faculty
Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)
Visit the TLC Commons in Gaiser Hall 206E. The TLC Library houses hundreds of books on education. Clark faculty can also apply for funding to attend academic conferences at an outside conference related to your work at Clark.
Workshops and Training
The eLearning team offers workshops on screencasting, captioning, and more. Check the employee training and development calendar for upcoming workshops, and remember to register through Eventbrite (links on the calendar).
Sharing Your Work
There are various ways to share your work with colleagues at Clark, including based learning (CBL) workshops and guest speakers.
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL can improve outcomes for all students! Resources include Design, and Novak's UDL Now! (and lots more). UDL design templates are also available.
Classroom Resources
The TLC Commons provide a lovely space for a small meeting. Crafting supplies, globes, card decks, fidgets, and more are available. Handouts and CRT templates are also available. There are resources for active learning and relfection for students in CEL courses, and fantastic for planning activities for courses that aren't perceived as CEL.
Antiracism Emphasis
An emphasis on antiracism is present in teaching.
Student Success Resources
Financial Aid
The choice to attend college is a big decision-and potentially a big cost, but does not have to be. There are ways to pay for college. Note that the FAFSA/WASFA opened for the 2024-2025 year. Applying for financial aid does not guarantee funding for students.
Student Tuition Easy Payment Plan (STEPP)
The Student Tuition Easy Payment Plan (STEPP) is available as an optional payment program each term because it lets you pay in installments interest-free in the term. You can make payments by personal check, cash, or credit card.
Technology Resources
Laptops are available for student use on a first come first serve basis. If you need one, follow these steps to get on the list.
Student Success Coaches
Clark College has three student success coaches, each with different areas of study that they support.
Campus Life
Campus life is a great place to start, including life, athletics, student ambassadors, and more. Connect with our services through Zoom. You will be put into a waiting room and a staff member will be with you as soon as possible. You can also connect with departments by clicking into a Zoom lobby. Need to reach out to someone at the college?
Diversity and Veterans Centers
The Diversity Center is a great place to visit between classes to study, have groups, snacks, and chat with others who are in running start. It is located through the double doors in between Gaiser Hall and the library. The Veterans Center of Excellence is a has it all type of place.
Campus Navigation
Clark College’s main campus is on 101-acres in Vancouver Central Park. Navigating campus can seem overwhelming when you are unsure of your surroundings. Schedule a campus tour before the first day. Main Campus Building Floor Plans are available.
Bookstore
All course textbooks are available online at the Clark College Bookstore. There will be multiple options for the same book in most cases. There will be a table with people that can assist you with questions at the checkout.
Technology and Accessibility
Technical Assistance
Contact the TechHub for technical assistance. Technology, like everything else in life, is not perfect. Things happen. It is a good idea to have a backup plan in place in case something happens. This will not be a viable excuse for delays in getting your work completed.
Accessibility Resources
"Access for All" course provides resources for creating accessible content in Canvas.
Respondus Training
Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor are two tools available to all faculty who want to improve the security of online exams.
Time Management and Workload
Make sure you are completing your work in a timely manner. Always keep copies of your work. A general rule of thumb is to plan for every credit you take, you should expect to spend five (5) hours per week in class and ten (10) hours of "homework," for a total of 15 hours per week. Pay attention to when assignments are to be done.
Library Resources
This guide was created to host a variety of support tools and resources for specific information literacy instruction sessions as the need arises. Clark College students and faculty are encouraged to explore the self-paced Information Literacy 101 Canvas course. This course is designed for students who want to develop their information literacy skills and for faculty who may wish to integrate its content into their curriculum.
Important Reminders
- Tuition Payment: Make sure you pay your tuition by the deadline to avoid being dropped from the course. Adhere to payment deadlines.
- First Day Attendance: Logging in on the first day of the term to make the course available to you.
Staying Informed
Important information is posted on the webpage, including events, resources, scholarships, contests, and much more.
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