Center for Teaching & Mentoring
Canvas
MTSU is moving to Canvas as our learning management system (LMS), with a full launch beginning Summer 2026. To learn more, visit the Canvas Project site, which includes a timeline and other news and information. Visit this faculty resource page about how to get started now learning and using Canvas.
Canvas Trainings at MTSU
MTSU trainings for Canvas began in October 2025. Most training sessions are led by Helen Wilson of Instructure (the company that owns Canvas) with support from the Center for Teaching and Mentoring, the Information Technology Division (ITD), and MTSU Online. Most Canvas training sessions for Spring 2026 are on Zoom. Representatives from ITD and MTSU Online are available during the trainings to answer questions and provide additional support.
Spring 2026
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 23 1:00-2:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas Essentials | Examine the Canvas Dashboard, the course environment, content and assessment options, and the course grading workflow. Q&A will be distributed throughout the session. Agenda |
| January 29 1:30-2:30 pm Click here for recording | Modules and Course Communication | Explore how to create and manage content modules, leverage progress monitoring capabilities, and scaffold student access to course content. Examine Canvas communication tools and strategies instructors can use to facilitate student dialogue and engagement. Specific tools highlighted in this session include Calendar, Announcements, Discussions, and Chat. Agenda |
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| February 2 11:30-12:30 pm Click here for recording | Pages and Rich Content Editor | Learn more about creating engaging and dynamic pages supporting student learning and interaction with course content. Examine how to embed third-party tools to reduce distractions while exploring other features of the Rich Content Editor for delivering media-rich content. Agenda |
| February 11 1:00-2:00 pm Click here for recording | Assignments and Discussions | Explore Canvas Assignments and utilize the Discussion tool to help meet pedagogical goals and encourage student engagement and interaction. Agenda |
| February 17 2:00-3:00 pm Click here for recording | New Quizzes Essentials | Explore Canvas’ Quizzing features and functions, including how to leverage Item Banks (Question Libraries) and how to make adjustments to accommodate diverse learner needs. Agenda |
| February 23 2:30-4:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas Studio | Get an overview of how Canvas Studio supports learner engagement and the creation and assessment of assignments. We’ll review core tools for creating, managing, and integrating Studio content into your courses, along with practical classroom use cases. Agenda |
| February 27 1:00-2:00 pm Click here for recording | Grading and Feedback / Gradebook and SpeedGrader | Explore the Canvas Gradebook and SpeedGrader tools for providing timely and detailed feedback to students while making the grading process more efficient and enjoyable. Agenda |
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| March 2 9:00-10:00 am Zoom Link | Enhanced Rubrics | Explore the functionalities of Enhanced Rubrics in Canvas, focusing on how to create, implement, and utilize rubrics for assignments, discussions, and quizzes. Agenda |
| March 5 12:30-1:30 pm Zoom Link | Canvas Q&A with Helen | Helen Wilson, Senior Learning Consultant with Canvas, is available to answer questions and provide advice for moving forward with confidence exploring our new learning management system. |
| March 6 1:00-3:00 pm LIB 264A Zoom Link Registration Link | Canvas Bootcamp | Teaching this summer? Drop in to receive support on your Canvas course from MTSU Online and ITD. MTSU Online and ITD will assist faculty in preparing their course(s) for Summer 2026 and help ensure that instructional materials are accessible for all students. Canvas Bootcamp is offered both in-person in LIB 264A and on Zoom. Registration is required. Click here to register. |
| March 18 1:30-2:30 pm Zoom Link | Group Work and Collaboration | Dive into collaboration features in Canvas, including group assignments, group discussions, web conferencing, and the collaboration tool. Agenda |
| March 19 9:30-10:30 am Zoom Link | Canvas Q&A with Helen | Helen Wilson, Senior Learning Consultant with Canvas, is available to answer questions and provide advice for moving forward with confidence exploring our new learning management system. |
| March 24 9-10 am Zoom Link | Canvas Q&A with Helen | Helen Wilson, Senior Learning Consultant with Canvas, is available to answer questions and provide advice for moving forward with confidence exploring our new learning management system. |
| March 27 10:30-11:30 am Zoom Link | Accessibility | Learn about concepts, strategies, approaches, and resources for designing and delivering Canvas courses that are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities. Agenda |
| March 30 12:30-2:00 pm Zoom Link | Course Data and Analytics | Explore Course Analytics, Student Analytics, New Quizzes Analytics, Item Analysis, Course Statistics, and Module Progression. Learn how to use these reports to monitor student progress and engagement with course content. Agenda |
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| April 1 11:00-12:00 pm Zoom Link | Canvas Q&A with Helen | Helen Wilson, Senior Learning Consultant with Canvas, is available to answer questions and provide advice for moving forward with confidence exploring our new learning management system. |
| April 7 9:30-11:00 am Zoom Link | Performance-Based Teaching | Learn how to engage students in performance-based disciplines, add audio/video content, organize resources, and use assessment tools. Ideal for instructors in World Languages, Fine Arts, Related Arts, and Career & Technical Education. Agenda |
| April 13 1:00-2:00 pm Zoom Link | Mobile Apps: Teacher & Student App | Dive deeper into the mobile apps available to support teachers and students. Learn the features and functionality of the apps to improve communication and work more efficiently. Agenda |
| April 30 1:00-2:30 pm Zoom Link | Canvas for Math and Science | Helen Wilson, Senior Learning Consultant with Canvas, is available to answer questions and provide advice for moving forward with confidence exploring our new learning management system. Agenda |
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 12 9:00 am-4:00 pm LIB 264A Zoom Link | Virtual/Onsite Canvas Training | 9 am – Canvas Essentials 10 am – Modules 11 am – Pages 12 pm – LUNCH 1 pm – Course Communication 2 pm – Rich Content Editor 3 pm – Assignments |
| May 13 9:00 am-4:00 pm LIB 264A Zoom Link | Virtual/Onsite Canvas Training | 9 am – Discussions 10 am – Quizzes 11 am – Grading and Feedback 12 pm – LUNCH 1 pm – Enhanced Rubrics 2 pm – Mobile Apps 3 pm – Q&A session |
| May 14 9:00 am-4:00 pm LIB 264A Zoom Link | Virtual/Onsite Canvas Training | 9 am – Course Flow 10 am – Course Design Considerations 11 am – Group Work/Collaboration 12 pm – LUNCH 1 pm – Accessibility 2 pm – Course Settings and Sharing 3 pm – Q&A session |
Fall 2025
| Date | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| October 6 1:00-2:30 pm Click here for recording | Canvas First Look | Helen Wilson from Canvas/Instructure gives an overview of Canvas and demonstrates how to access key features such as the dashboard, account, communication, and help button. |
| October 8 2:00-3:30 pm Click here for recording | Canvas Basics | Helen Wilson guides faculty on how to develop a knowledge of the following features in Canvas: creating a course, developing assignments and assessments, and giving grades and feedback. |
| October 10 9:00-10:30 am Click here for recording | Canvas Basics (repeat) | Helen Wilson guides faculty on how to develop a knowledge of the following features in Canvas: creating a course, developing assignments and assessments, and giving grades and feedback. |
| October 23 2:30-4:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: Course Communication Tools | Communication is at the heart of effective learning experiences. Helen Wilson shares Canvas tools and strategies instructors can use to facilitate student dialogue and engagement. Specific tools highlighted in this session include Calendar, Announcements, Discussions, and Chat. |
| October 27 12:00-1:30 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: Leveraging Modules | Helen Wilson shares how to create and manage content modules, leverage progress monitoring capabilities, and scaffold student access to course content. |
| October 29 2:30-4:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: Pages and Rich Content Editor | Helen Wilson offers guidance on creating engaging and dynamic pages supporting student learning and interaction with course content. Learn how to embed third-party tools to reduce distractions while exploring other features of the Rich Content Editor for delivering media-rich content. |
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| November 3 11:00 am-12:30 pm Click here for recording | Canvas Assignments | Helen Wilson provides an overview of Canvas Assignments. She will highlight how to create assignments in Canvas and will give an overview of creating assignment groups and extra credit items. |
| November 10 2:30-4:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: New Quizzes Essentials | Helen Wilson presents the Canvas’ Quizzing features and functions, including how to leverage Item Banks (Question Libraries) and how to make adjustments to accommodate diverse learner needs. A review of grading and analysis options will be covered. |
| November 18 2:30-4:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: Grading and Feedback, Gradebook, and Speedgrader | Helen Wilson explores the Canvas Gradebook and SpeedGrader tools for providing timely and detailed feedback to students while making the grading process more efficient and enjoyable. |
| Date & Location | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| December 2 11:30 am-1:00 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: Discussion Tools | Helen Wilson presents on how the Discussion tool can be used to help meet pedagogical goals and encourage student engagement and interaction. Learn how to create and use Discussions, including how to grade and provide feedback through SpeedGrader. |
| December 10 12:00-1:30 pm Click here for recording | Canvas: Course Design Considerations | Helen Wilson presents on how a Course Evaluation Checklist can highlight best practices for course design. The session covers best practices for creating student-centered course spaces that can be easily navigated from a browser or mobile device. |
| December 10 1:30-2:30 pm Click here for recording | Canvas Mobile Apps: Teacher & Student App | Join Helen Wilson as she dives into the mobile apps available to support instructors and students. Learn the features and functionality of the apps to improve communication and work more efficiently. |
| December 12 11:00-12:00 Click here for recording. | Getting Caught Up with Canvas | Feeling overwhelmed with the Canvas transition? Let us get you caught up on what you may have missed. This workshop discusses how to get started and goes over the resources available to get you moving in the right direction. This session is presented by Jimmy Williams, Instructional Systems Administrator in the Center for Training and Technologies (ITD). |
Canvas Champions
| Name & Office Hours | College | |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Abolins In-person in DSB 217: Appointment recommended MW: 9:30 am – 10 am & 2:20 pm – 2:50 pm Tuesdays: 9:30 – 11 am & 1 – 1:30 pm Thursdays: 9:30 – 11 am & 1 – 1:30 pm Zoom by appointment. | mark.abolins@mtsu.edu | College of Basic and Applied Sciences |
| Jenn Caputo In-Person (AMG 104) Tuesdays: 12:30 pm -1:30 pm (Zoom also available by request) Zoom: Thursdays: 8:15 am – 9:15 am | jenn.caputo@mtsu.edu | College of Behavioral and Health Sciences |
| Everett Singleton In Person or Zoom: Tuesdays: 9:30 am – 11:30 am Thursdays: 9:30 am – 11:30 am (Zoom) | everett.singleton@mtsu.edu | College of Education |
| Eric Detweiler Zoom: Mondays: 12 pm – 2 pm In-person by appointment: Peck Hall 323A | eric.detweiler@mtsu.edu | College of Liberal Arts |
| Michelle Conceison In Person (Bragg RIM Office, 251) Tuesdays: 10 am – 12 pm Zoom: Fridays: 11 am – 1 pm Schedule an appointment in advance | michelle.conceison@mtsu.edu | Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment |
| Ronda Henderson In-Person (BAS N446) or Zoom: Mondays: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Wednesdays: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | ronda.henderson@mtsu.edu | Jennings A. Jones College of Business |
| Holly Zolt In Person: Thursdays: 1:30 – 2:30 pm Fridays: 9:30 – 10:30 am | holly.zolt@mtsu.edu | University College |
| Denise Quintel Zoom: Tuesdays 3 – 4 pm Thursdays 9:30 – 10:30 am Other times by appointment. | denise.quintel@mtsu.edu | Walker Library |
Contact Us
Center for Teaching and Mentoring
LIB 348
615-904-8499
ctm@mtsu.edu
Book a mentoring appointment with one of our directors:
Jennifer Vannatta-Hall or Robyn Ridgley