What is the new Elementary Dashboard?

The Canvas for Elementary Dashboard creates an online classroom that reflects the physical classroom experience for elementary students. This change allows teachers to enable a homeroom course and a course for each subject to organize and focus student course participation. Under Canvas for Elementary, Dashboard navigation and interface become updated in order to simplify the look of the class - content and course items functionality remain unchanged.

Are there any prerequisites or criteria for using the Dashboard?

Teachers must use the established course subject structure by maintaining content in separate course shells for every subject taught, including Homeroom. Teachers cannot solely work from the Homeroom course as cross-listing cannot be used across primary subject courses. In order to use the Dashboard, all grade-level subject courses must be published. Subject content must be added and published accordingly in Modules and students will access content items embedded in Modules, as typically done in Canvas.


Are there any important considerations to follow?

• Homeroom must be enabled as the Homeroom course. The Homeroom course controls announcements displayed under “Home”. Announcements display for teachers in order to reflect the announcement being viewed by students. A course can be designated as a homeroom course with the Enable as Homeroom Course checkbox. 
• The Course Navigation list in a course disappears under the Canvas for Elementary Dashboard. LTI or External Tools linked in the Navigation list appear on the “Resources” tab (this tab name is not related to Resource as a class).
• Teachers must not start new subjects as this is already done by the current course shell structure and automated Synergy SIS sync. 
• By default, published and unpublished subjects display in the Homeroom tab. If a teacher has favorited courses, only favorited will display

How do I prepare my courses for the Canvas for Elementary Dashboard?

Complete all steps below to properly prepare courses for use under the Canvas for Elementary Dashboard.

1. Check populated course(s) for pre-loaded template. Review the "Teacher Module". 
2. Enable the Homeroom course as "Homeroom".
3. Save image files from the Teacher Module. Change Course Card image for English, Science, Social Studies, and Math course shells. The Homeroom course card does not display.
4. Personalize each course Homepage. Set the corresponding Subject Home page as the Subject Home (formerly "Front Page") for each subject course.
5. Import or create content or learning activities in each subject-level course.
6. Publish each subject course.

How do I designate my Homeroom course as “Homeroom”?

The Homeroom course must be enabled as homeroom under Settings. View how to enable the course as homeroom here.

How can I change the Dashboard View between Classic and Homeroom?

Admins and teachers can switch between the Homeroom View Dashboard and the Classic View Dashboard (Card View). Under Homeroom, simply click the three-vertical dots Options icon and select the view to display. To return to the Homeroom View from Classic, click the Options icon and choose the “Homeroom View” option.




Do I have to link subject buttons to subject courses as done in years past?

No, linking subject button icons or images is not required under the Canvas for Elementary Dashboard.


How are important dates determined?

Instructors can use the Mark as important date and show on homeroom sidebar checkbox to designate an assignment, graded discussion, quiz, and subject event as an important date. Important date items display in the Homeroom sidebar. Differentiated assignments marked with an important date display the due date assigned to the student in the Homeroom sidebar.

Can students view Resource or manually-created courses under the Home Dashboard?

Yes, if the course has been published and the student is enrolled in the course, it will show under the Home/Homeroom Dashboard for student access.

Can I still use content and course items in the same way? Including prerequisites and requirements for a Canvas for Elementary subject?

Yes, content and course items remain unchanged. All prerequisites, requirements, and availability dates will be honored if set.

My course Settings link and navigation list disappeared, how can I see this link or access Settings?

The Course Navigation list in a course disappears under the Canvas for Elementary Dashboard. However, teachers can access this list and course Settings by selecting Manage Subject from the Subject Home page.
 
Once enabled as Homeroom, the Homeroom course's Settings must be accessed by selecting the section link under "Home". 

Can I hide the Grades tab in a subject or Homeroom course?

Yes, teachers can hide a subject's Grades tab using "Manage Subject" to access the course navigation settings. Grades are automatically hidden in the Elementary Template. When the Grades tab is hidden, grades for that subject do not display on the Homeroom's "Grades" tab - however, the "Grades" tab may appear due to other non-subject-level courses enrolled. The "Hide totals in student grades summary" setting is also automatically enabled in the Elementary Template. 

Can I add a "friendly" name to my course?

Yes, teachers can change the course name to a "Friendly Name" for easier subject identification and navigation. If provided, this name will be used in preference to the course's actual name on the dashboard and in notifications.

How are items completed in the schedule?

Online assignments are checked off as soon as the assignment is submitted. On paper and no submission assignments must be manually checked off in the schedule by the student.

How are subject cards created under the Home Dashboard?

Subject cards are automatically created for subject sections in which a student is enrolled. However, teachers must publish their assigned courses for student access. Teachers should not create any subjects/courses on their own but use courses provisioned to them.

Who is affected by the Elementary Dashboard change?

Under Canvas for Elementary, the following user groups are affected: Students, Teachers, and Observers (Parents/Guardians). The updated Dashboard navigation helps these user groups better navigate class announcements, subjects, coursework, and resources. 

Are Resource classes also affected by the Elementary Dashboard change?

Yes, the Canvas for Elementary Dashboard will be enabled for ALL elementary courses including Resource (Art, Music, and PE). However, general education classroom teachers assigned to a Homeroom AND subject-level sections are the only teachers required to enable a Homeroom and set Subject Home pages. Resource class usage of Canvas may vary by department and instructional guidance.