What is Canvas

Overview

Canvas is a cloud-based Learning Management System (LMS) by Instructure that the Dante Alighieri Society of Washington uses to support the teaching and learning of the Italian language. Canvas allows instructors to upload syllabus and course content to a virtual classroom. Lessons are organized into modules with directions on how to use them in class and after class.

Canvas also allows instructors to facilitate instruction through a variety of tools that encourage student-to-student, student-to-instructor, and student-to-content interactions. Canvas will allow students to complete a large variety of activities from home and on their own time. Examples include:

  • Listening comprehension,
  • Watching videos and films and submiting after-viewing exercises,
  • Engaging in discussions,
  • Navigating maps and reporting findings,
  • Conducting guided web searches,
  • Completing grammar worksheets,
  • Looking at and commenting on art and images,
  • Listening to dramatic readings,
  • Recording dramatic readings,
  • Reading and reporting on articles and passages in Italian,
  • Listening to songs,
  • Practicing pronunciation, and
  • Submitting individual or group writing.

Why Canvas?

The tools that Canvas offers, which are applicable to any discipline, work very well for language learners. For example, pages can be linked to selected pedagogical material and resources provided by leading Italian publishers specialized in Italian for foreigners, such as Alma, Bonacci, Loescher, Mondadori and Zanichelli in a secure environment to be used in class or self-paced. This allows us to create assignments designed to improve the four language skills: writing, listening, reading and speaking while building cultural competency.  For example, within one single page students can view (motion or still picture), listen to, read and even record themselves! Canvas allows instructors to create pages for a variety of learning styles: visual, aural, verbal, solitary, social …

Canvas Courses

Canvas courses are created each quarter. Once you are enrolled in the class you will be able to log in into Canvas with your credentials during the quarter.

To access Canvas visit: https://danteseattle.instructure.com/