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Canvas Non-Instructional Uses

Canvas shells are automatically created for instructors teaching courses at LPC.  Occasionally, employees use Canvas for other types of collaborations using Non-instructional course shells and Canvas Commons Groups.

Definitions

Non-instructional course shell: a course shell to post information and, possibly, for users to communicate. This is not an official LPC course. Typical uses include work within committees, task forces, departments, and clubs.

Canvas Commons Group: a group that allows easy sharing of instructional materials. Typical uses include academic departments that want to share assignments, quizzes, and documents with all instructors in their department. A Canvas Commons Group will not populate a shell on your Canvas Dashboard.

Considerations

If you request a non-instructional Canvas course shell or Commons Group, you are responsible for:

  • Ensuring all online content meets web accessibility standards. 
  • Managing and regularly monitoring enrollment to adhere to FERPA.
    • For those manually adding users:
      • You may add Faculty and Classified Professionals as "Student" or "Teacher," based on your needs.
      • Only add students with the "Student" role.
        • Those using shells for clubs may add one student with the "Student Club Lead" role. This role allows the student to post announcements, create pages, and create discussions. You are still responsible for ensuring all content your Student Club Lead posts meets web accessibility standards.
      • You must manually remove users who are no longer employees or students, or who no longer want to be included in the course. Examples:
        • If you use Canvas for department communication, you will need to regularly monitor your People list to remove instructors no longer working in your area. 
        • If you use Canvas for a club, you will need to regularly monitor your People list to remove students no longer active in your club.
    • For those setting up a course with self-enrollment links:
      • Only share the link directly with your intended users. Do not post your self-enroll link on any web site or public space. This can jeopardize the security of Canvas. 
      • You must still regularly monitor your People list and remove users who are no longer LPC employees or students, or who no longer wish to participate in the course.

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