Monitor and Engage: Strategic Outreach Utilizing People & Course Analytics in Canvas

When a new term begins, knowing who is in your course and is actively participating is important. Canvas offers two tools: People and Course Analytics. By using these embedded features starting in Week 1, you can identify students who need support by reaching out to them proactively. This sets them up for success before small gaps in learning or accessing course materials become big challenges.

Step 1: Check Enrollment with the People Page

The link to the People page is found in the Course Navigation Menu. This page provides a quick snapshot of enrollment information including Names, Email Addresses, Roles, Last Activity and Total Activity. This is also where you can access Groups if used for your course. Click on a student’s name to reveal a side panel with additional information. Here, you can send a message via the Canvas Inbox to the student as well as find a link to grading information and Course Analytics.

Why start here?
The People page is the fastest way to confirm enrollment and identify students who have not logged in yet. If a student shows no login activity, that’s your cue to send a message, no need to investigate further. Once you’ve addressed those cases, move to Course Analytics to uncover engagement patterns, allowing you to take proactive steps with students who may need additional support.

Step 2: Move to Course Analytics for Engagement Insights

Switch to Course Analytics for a more detailed view of student activity. One way to access this section is to go to your Course Navigation menu and select Course Analytics. At the top of the page, you’ll find several tabs that let you view key information about your students and course activity. These include:

  • Needs Attention: Shows students who may require extra support based on their engagement or performance.
  • Course Grade: Displays grading information for all students with filters to dig deeper into grading data
  • Weekly Online Activity: Tracks students’ participation and activity in the course and provides data about resources in the course
  • Students: Lists all enrolled students and lets you access individual details, including page views and participation information.
  • Reports: Provides downloadable summaries of student activity and performance for further analysis, including missing assignments, course activity, and more.

These options help you easily monitor student progress, identify those who may need assistance, and keep track of overall course engagement.

Step 3: Apply Filters and Reach Out

To make the most of this area, you will need to choose specific filters to help you target students who need support. Common criteria:

  • No Page Views or Participations in the first specified number of days
  • Fewer discussion posts compared to class average
  • Course Score

Messaging Ideas

Choose the appropriate filters for activity or participation and then save your selection. This action will generate a list of students who meet the specified criteria. From the Needs Attention tab, you can message students individually through the Canvas Inbox, even if you are sending the same message to multiple students. When students satisfy your chosen standards in Course Analytics, use these messages to either recognize achievement or provide necessary support.

Student Outreach Using the Needs Attention Tab

From the Needs Attention tab, you can message students individually through the Canvas Inbox, even if you are sending the same message to multiple students. This targeted outreach is especially useful for responding to students who meet specific criteria you have chosen to analyze. These messages can be used to acknowledge achievements or offer necessary assistance so that all students receive timely feedback and support tailored to their needs.

  • Positive Outreach
    • High Performance – “Great job on your early work! Your strong start sets the tone for success!”
    • Active Participation – “Your contributions in discussions are making a real impact. Thank you for engaging so thoughtfully!”
    • Encourage Leadership – “Your engagement is outstanding! Would you consider sharing a quick tip for success with your classmates?”
  • Supportive Outreach
    • Inactivity Detected – “I noticed you haven’t been active recently. Do you need help accessing materials or getting started?”
    • Missing or Late Submissions – “Several assignments appear missing. Let’s work together on a plan to get back on track.”
    • Low Engagement Compared to Class Average – “Your voice matters; jump into the discussion and share your perspective!”
    • Early Warning for Low Scores – “Your current score suggests you might need extra support. Here are some resources to help you succeed.”

Keep Engagement Going

To maximize student engagement and success, it is important to incorporate regular outreach into your course management, starting in week one and continuing throughout the course. This involves using tools such as People and Course Analytics and continuously refining your filters and messages as the term progresses. Consistent outreach not only helps you recognize achievements and provide support where needed but also maintains ongoing communication with your students.