Using Tasks for Canvas to Support Student Organization ✏️

Organization plays a huge role in student success in both online and hybrid learning environments. Many students struggle not because they lack ability, but they might miss deadlines or have information scattered across their different courses, and they might not know where to start. Canvas provides some built in tools, like the calendar view or to-do list feature. This was okay, but I wanted something a little better. I liked on Moodle, another school platform similar to Canvas, how you could track the percentage of work you have done in the class. It would show your progress nicely, along with due dates, and you could check assignments off as you go.   

In my screencast, I show how the Tasks for Canvas feature works for me. This Google extension allows students to quickly see upcoming assignments across all courses and tracks weekly progress. By organizing deadlines in one place, week by week, it can reduce that overwhelming feeling and help students prioritize their school work effectively. Before I would manually right assignment lists down and check them off as I went. This extension does that for me, although I do still like to write out a list as well just so it motivates me! For adult learners and graduate students, this system can improve time management and reduce stress as well. 

From a learning and performance perspective, a tool like this can also support self-regulated learning. Students are able to clearly see expectations and timelines, so they are more likely to plan ahead and keep up on engagement each week. Screenpal helped me show this process, which could help other students or even instructors install it or learn something new about it. This will reduce confusion and help with independent problem solving. Simple tools, when clearly explained and demonstrated, can make a big difference in learning outcomes.