Sonoma State's LMS Admin discusses how the university is piloting Canvas New Analytics to develop an early alert system aimed at improving student retention. Faculty members participating in the pilot are asked to modify their courses to incorporate early assessments and graded activities to ensure there is sufficient data for analysis in the first few weeks of the semester.
The presentation demonstrates how to access and use Canvas New Analytics, explaining key features such as tracking course grades, student participation, and sending targeted messages to students. The speaker highlights the importance of keeping gradebooks up to date and using the tool to identify and reach out to students who may be struggling or disengaged.
The video also addresses potential challenges, such as ensuring faculty buy-in, privacy concerns, and the need for thoughtful communication when reaching out to students flagged by the system. The session concludes with a discussion on scaling the pilot, faculty engagement, and the importance of departmental and institutional support for the initiative.
