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A behind-the-scenes look at how the Canvas Clinic empowers University of Minnesota Instructors

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 Navigating the digital landscape of higher education can be both exciting and daunting. Recognizing this challenge, staff from University Libraries and academic technology departments across the University of Minnesota system provide knowledge about start-of-semester tasks and course planning assistance to incoming and returning instructors and TAs through the Canvas Clinic.

The Canvas Clinic is held at the start of each semester and provides one-on-one personalized assistance for instructors and TAs. Topics include setting up course sites, creating activities and assessments, and integrating media or other course resources into Canvas. Participation at the Canvas Clinic is typically higher during the fall semester. The chart below depicts the number of participants over the past five academic years.

Key Features

  • One-on-One Support: Instructors talk through their questions individually with knowledgeable staff. 
  • Technical Troubleshooting: Recognizing that technology can disrupt the teaching process, instructors can walk through assignments and projects with an academic technologist to identify potential technical issues before they occur with students.
  • Virtual Attendance: To serve the greatest number of instructors, the Canvas Clinic is offered via Zoom. Each consultation takes place within a breakout room in the clinic’s Zoom meeting space.
  • Accessible Course Design: A key focus of the Canvas Clinic is promoting accessible course design. Instructors can receive guidance on creating courses and materials that are inclusive and accessible to all students.

Connect with consultants

Did you miss the Canvas Clinic? Do you have questions about structuring your course, developing multi-step projects, setting up group work, or other teaching topics? Course design consultations are available year-round. Send a request to Teaching Support to connect with an instructional designer to work one-on-one with you.

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