Desire 2 Learn (D2L) -vs- Canvas
Desire 2 Learn- Activating and Deactivating Tools
Desire 2 Learn allows you to choose which tools you want to use and have displayed on the course homepage. In order to activate/deactivate you click on Course Admin > Tools > and toggle which tools you want to turn on or off on the "Tool Status" page.
To deactivate the course and eliminate access to students once it has ended, click Course Admin > Course Offering Information > Uncheck "Course is active" > Save.
Canvas- Activating and Deactivating Tools
Canvas makes concluding the course an easy process. To conclude the course click on "Settings" from the course menu to the left, click on the "Course Details" tab, and click on "Conclude this Course." You can also permanently delete the course from the system by clicking on "Permanently Delete this Course. A pop-up confirmation screen will appear and you click on.
Canvas makes concluding the course an easy process. To conclude the course click on "Settings" from the course menu to the left, click on the "Course Details" tab, and click on "Conclude this Course." You can also permanently delete the course from the system by clicking on "Permanently Delete this Course. A pop-up confirmation screen will appear and you click on.
Desire 2 Learn- Viewing Content Statistics
Another handy tool offered in D2L allows you to take a look at how many students are viewing the content in your course and the average amount of time they spent viewing each item. To use this tool, click on Content > "Table of Contents" on the top left side menu > Click "Related Tools" > "View Reports." You can click on the "Users" tab to choose a specific user.
Another handy tool offered in D2L allows you to take a look at how many students are viewing the content in your course and the average amount of time they spent viewing each item. To use this tool, click on Content > "Table of Contents" on the top left side menu > Click "Related Tools" > "View Reports." You can click on the "Users" tab to choose a specific user.
Canvas- Viewing Content/Class Statistics
Canvas also allows you to view course statistics with an easy to read color-coded report that includes grades, assignment submissions, and activity. This report also allows you to view the statistics by student. To access the course analytics, click on "View Course Analytics" located on the right in the main course menu.
Canvas also allows you to view course statistics with an easy to read color-coded report that includes grades, assignment submissions, and activity. This report also allows you to view the statistics by student. To access the course analytics, click on "View Course Analytics" located on the right in the main course menu.
Desire 2 Learn- Viewing Classlist and User Progress
D2L offers a Classlist tool to view who is enrolled in your course, check users' online statuses, send email, etc. To use this tool click on Classlist > View Progress > choose your specific progress indicator > click the indicator from the "Reports List" area.
D2L offers a Classlist tool to view who is enrolled in your course, check users' online statuses, send email, etc. To use this tool click on Classlist > View Progress > choose your specific progress indicator > click the indicator from the "Reports List" area.
To change a specific student's role in cases where they are unable to complete the course work and need to be granted an incomplete, you can change their status by clicking Classlist > select student by clicking the box next to their name > click Enrollment > click on the arrow and select the role of "Student Incomplete" > Save. Once the student has completed his/her work you can follow the same procedure and change the role back.
Checking on student enrollment statistics is very easy in D2L. All you have to do is click on Classlist > Enrollment Statistics. This report will also include withdrawals.
Desire 2 Learn- Copying Components From D2L Courses
Both D2L and Canvas allows you to copy the components from other courses or a course offering's parent template. Having this ability saves you significant time and work and keeps you from recreating resources from scratch. To copy/import/export components, click on Course Admin > Import/Export/Copy Components > select "Copy Components from Another Org. Unit" > Search for Offering" to find a course to copy. Select the components to copy and click "Continue."
Both D2L and Canvas allows you to copy the components from other courses or a course offering's parent template. Having this ability saves you significant time and work and keeps you from recreating resources from scratch. To copy/import/export components, click on Course Admin > Import/Export/Copy Components > select "Copy Components from Another Org. Unit" > Search for Offering" to find a course to copy. Select the components to copy and click "Continue."
Canvas- Copying/Importing/Exporting Course Content
Canvas has a tool similar to D2L where you can copy/import/export components from your course. To use this tool, click on "Settings" from the menu on the left > select the "Course Details" tab > and choose the action you want to perform from the menu on the right.
Canvas has a tool similar to D2L where you can copy/import/export components from your course. To use this tool, click on "Settings" from the menu on the left > select the "Course Details" tab > and choose the action you want to perform from the menu on the right.
Desire 2 Learn- Grade Schemes and Final Grades
Although D2L and Canvas both have settings you can change when it comes to displaying grades, D2L offers more features to let you control how the grades are displayed. A grade scheme in D2L enables you to organize users' performances on grade items into levels of achievement. You can change the grade schemes by clicking on "Grades" at the top, then click "Schemes," and then click "New Scheme" and give it a name. You can also choose more specific grade settings from this page and be sure to click "Save and Close" when finished.
Although D2L and Canvas both have settings you can change when it comes to displaying grades, D2L offers more features to let you control how the grades are displayed. A grade scheme in D2L enables you to organize users' performances on grade items into levels of achievement. You can change the grade schemes by clicking on "Grades" at the top, then click "Schemes," and then click "New Scheme" and give it a name. You can also choose more specific grade settings from this page and be sure to click "Save and Close" when finished.
Submitting final grades in D2L is a bit more tedious because of the multiple steps. First, click on Grades > Settings > Calculation Options. Under "Final Grade Released" section, select "Adjusted Final Grade" and click "Save."
Next, click on Grades > click on Enter Grades > click the down arrow next to "Final Adjusted Grade" column > select "Grade All," In the "Final Adjusted Grade column, click on Recalculate All. In the popup window, select the items you want calculated in the final grade, click on "Calculate" and confirm.
To release the grades, click on the box to select all students, and then click "Release/Unrelease." There will be a column labeled "Release Final Adjusted Grade" that will have checks in the column, click "Save" and "Yes" and there should be icon next to each grade indicating the grade has been released. Next, you need to select all students again and click the down arrow to the right of "Final Grades" at the top and select "Transfer All" to move the grades to the Final Adjusted column. Review grades and make any changes as necessary.
Finally, you need to export the grades to Banner. Click on Grades > Enter Grades > Export Grades to Banner. A progress bar will appear and when the grades are finished processing you will see a message box telling you if the submission was successful.
Canvas- Grade Schemes and Final Grades
Canvas does not offer grade schemes that you can change, but it does have features for grade books that you can turn on or off. As for releasing final grades, it appears that Canvas has a specific Student Information System it refers to called PowerSchool. Due to the limited access I have, I cannot do much with final grades. But I did find instructions on posting grades to PowerSchool in the user guide.
Canvas does not offer grade schemes that you can change, but it does have features for grade books that you can turn on or off. As for releasing final grades, it appears that Canvas has a specific Student Information System it refers to called PowerSchool. Due to the limited access I have, I cannot do much with final grades. But I did find instructions on posting grades to PowerSchool in the user guide.
Recommendation
The final tools being compared this week are activating/deactivating the class, viewing statistics, user and class progress, copying course components, and grades. As with other tools, Canvas fell a bit short with options when compared to D2L. The biggest difference between the two is the grades. D2L allows you to change schemes and assign a color to each grade value, change symbols, descriptions, etc. There are also more steps in D2L when submitting and releasing final grades because you have to calculate, transfer, and export. As for which one I would recommend, it depends if you want simplicity or the ability to make changes. Personally, I would recommend D2L because I prefer to have control over what I can adjust and the specific statistics I want to view.