While useful, emails can be overwhelming to students when they receive too many. Faculty should: 

• keep messages short, 
• use the subject line to get the students’ attention, 
• send emails on a regular schedule so that students know when to expect them, and 
• consider a variety of media for the message (video, audio, and text). 

To reach students efficiently, use Canvas's email system or Qwickly to broadcast emails to multiple courses simultaneously. This ensures students receive your messages in both their UTSA and Canvas inboxes, making it easier for them to stay informed. Remind students to check both inboxes regularly

Just like emails, Canvas Announcements are saved for easy access and can be sent to students through various platforms. To keep students informed, it's helpful to send announcements regularly. Using different types of media (like text, audio, or video) can make announcements more engaging and inclusive. To send announcements to multiple classes at once, consider using Qwickly.

Providing students with a location inside the course to ask anonymous questions provides a safe space for them to request information without embarrassment. A Canvas discussion board or Padlet can be set up for this function. Be sure to check the board regularly to answer any questions that come up.  

Synchronous office hours or Q&A sessions offer valuable opportunities for individual or small-group interaction, addressing specific student concerns. These sessions can be held in person or online. 

Online grading using Canvas SpeedGrader gives instructors an opportunity to provide constructive to students. Instructors can use text, audio, or video to highlight students' strengths, areas for improvement, and overall progress in the course. The most effective feedback is consistent and timely.