Creating a Canvas Course Announcement

Canvas Guides "How do I make an Announcement in my course?"

Announcement Do's and Don'ts

Announcements can be useful for several different purposes. One of the primary uses of an announcement is to engage participants at the beginning of each unit (week). This regularly scheduled announcement helps participants to stay connected and recognize that you are a human with a personality and not just a computer. It helps define your "presence" in an online course.

Scheduled announcements generally include two or more of the following items:

Introduction to the main idea for the week – short, one sentence, to provide motivation and encourage engagement in the topic of the week.
Any scheduling information such as days the teacher will not be available, a changed due date, holiday, etc.
Summary response to previous week’s discussion (or assignment submission). Provide positive feedback and whenever possible mention student names and take quotes directly from their postings. This should be only a paragraph and highlight only one or two especially good comments. (This provides recognition and motivation as well as demonstrating that you did read the discussions and were attentive and interested.)

Other tips:

It is critical that your tone be unfailingly positive and enthusiastic, and it is helpful if you can include a little personal detail or use your own unique “voice” – something to convey your personality.
It is important that you always begin with the most important facts or information and then progress through less important details. Most people will read only the first sentence or two unless they see a need to keep going.
Because of the reluctance to read, try to keep announcements short!
Some people advocate longer, chatty personal announcements including comments on the weather, recreational activities, family news to help build community and make connections. Instructors here at UEN agreed unanimously that, as students, we hated that!