

What is Module Ø?
Module Ø is a module created for your students to access before or shortly after the start of the course.
Why should you include a Module Ø?
Ideally, it makes sure your students are familiar with elements that are exclusive to your specific course. It also addresses the assumption that your students are innately tech-savvy or their know their way around the Canvas LMS. It provides the instructor with an opportunity to address factors that lie outside instructional concerns that may be challenging to new students. You may be familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in which basic needs such as food, rest, and health precludes those needed to be successful in a classroom, Module Ø gives you a chance to address those basic needs.
How will we implement Module Ø?
When designing this workshop, it became clear that there were two sets of needs that needed to be met: instructors' needs and students' needs. For that reason, the workshop is divided into two parts: "For the instructor", where you will find a curated set of resources aiming to prepare and make sure you and your course are ready to go. The second half - "For the Students", consists of a series of resources intended to help your students be as prepared as possible to succeed. You will be able to access the "For the Students" section so you can simply import it into your course.
What's next? Browse the For Instructors section Do you feel like you need a refresher? Are you unsure how to create Pages or Modules? Your course notifications are wonky? We got you covered! Is your syllabus set up? Does your syllabus contain all the information required by the Office of the Provost? Are there parts of your syllabus you want to make sure your students understand? Did you choose due dates that are in conflict with the campus calendar and/or observed religious holidays? Do you want to allow your students to participate in choosing aspects of your course such as when to hold office hours? Have you considered setting up a Q&A for your course where students can post and reply to each other questions and people can upvote the best answer? Set up a quiz to address those pesky details that make your semester more difficult than it needs to be. Do you have specific technological needs for you and/or for your students? Browse the For Students section Are all your students tech-savvy? You have uploaded all readings and materials to Canvas, but do students know how to find them? Do they know that by checking the course calendar they'll get a pretty good idea what's due when? Are the students required to post comments and submits documents? A common misconception is that all students are adept at using Canvas. These resources help them make sure they are! Are your students familiar with policies about late work and attendance? Are there any specifics to your course that's imperative they understand? Taking a proactive approach to your syllabus may save headaches for everyone later on. Do you want to make sure your students perform at their best? Then make sure they have access to all the resources the university offers them. Is Module Ø right for you? Visit the import/export section and learn how to add it to your own Canvas course. *New!* You can import Module Ø directly from CanvasCommons! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Erwin Lares is LSS' Learning Technology Graduate Assistant. This content was initially created for a set Workshops serving the TA and Instructors within the College of Letters and Science. He can be reached at lares@wisc.edu for comments and consults. This content is licensed under CC BY-NC_SA. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon your work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge you and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.