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ITS integrates OneDrive with Canvas

 

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ITS has integrated OneDrive with Canvas.

By rolling out Microsoft OneDrive and Collaborations in Canvas, the integration provides a seamless experience for users, enabling them to access, share and collaborate on files stored in OneDrive directly within the Canvas platform.

“By bridging these two powerful tools, we aim to enhance productivity and streamline workflows, making it easier than ever for users to manage and share their digital content,” said Abi Winegarden, Tech Support Specialist with ITS Educational Technologies.

“These additions are part of our ongoing commitment to enhance user experience and promote efficient, effective digital learning and collaboration,” said Morgon Haskell, Tech Support Specialist, also with Educational Technologies. “We believe these tools will significantly contribute to a more integrated and interactive learning environment.”

Students sit at a tables configured into a square while they listen to their professor. Each student has an open laptop in front of them.
Students can leverage the OneDrive and Collaborations integration in the classroom or while learning remotely

ITS launched the integration on March 14. Teams from Educational Technologies and ITS Systems Administration started working on the effort in September 2023. They tested the integration for six months before rolling it out to campus.

Integration benefits and uses

The benefits of using the OneDrive integration include:

  • Seamless access: Students and educators can access, share and collaborate on files stored in OneDrive directly from the Canvas interface, eliminating the need to switch between platforms.
  • Real-time collaboration: Users can collaborate in real-time on documents, spreadsheets and presentations, fostering a more interactive and engaging learning environment.
  • Streamlined workflow: The integration streamlines the workflow for assignment submissions and grading. Educators can directly access student-submitted files on OneDrive from the Canvas gradebook.
  • Enhanced security: The integration leverages OneDrive’s robust security features, ensuring that sensitive educational data is stored and shared securely.
What are some good uses of integration? You can use this new functionality to:

  • Copy and paste notes that everyone can access.
  • Share bullet-point lists or agendas for upcoming synchronous class or group meetings.
  • Create a text-based whiteboard that everyone in the classroom can see and refer to later.
  • Assign student groups a collaborative assignment as a graded assignment. 

Getting started

Files stored in OneDrive can be accessed via the Microsoft OneDrive tool in Canvas. The files in Microsoft OneDrive are private to you, unless you choose to share them through different means like linking them in a Canvas announcement, module or assignment. To start using the integration, you must first connect your University OneDrive account to your course. Only Onyen users may access and use the OneDrive and Collaborations integration.

Visit Educational Technologies’ blog post about the integration for a step-by-step guide for getting started.

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