Conferences in Canvas

PLEASE NOTE: Due to regular errors with Canvas Conference recordings, we strongly recommend not using this tool for any sessions that need to be recorded. If you need to record a live session, the best tool to use is Microsoft Teams.

Canvas Conferences, also known as "BigBlueButton," is a tool enabling remote, synchronous meetings with real-time sharing of audio, video, slides, chat, and screen. While Canvas Conferences is not visible by default to students, it is available for all instructors to utilize and can be set up in just a few steps, which are listed below.

For brief videos detailing the steps below, please use the following links:

To enable conference in a Canvas course
(note that if conferences (Big Blue Button) are part of a course master this step will already be done in the course):

  1. In the course click settings, then click the navigation tab
     
     
  2. Find Big Blue Button, click the gear icon, and then click "Enable" to move it to the active section. If desired, you can also drag and drop the Conferences choice to the exact position you would like.

     
  3. Click "Save" at the bottom of the page
     

To set up conferences

  1. In the course go to the Conferences (now called Big Blue Button) section in the course

     
  2. Click "+Conference"

     
  3. Now you will set up your Conference with the details
    1. Give the conference a name (it is recommended that you include the date and time that the conference is to take place in the name)
    2. Set the duration of the conference (check "No time limit (for long-running conferences)" if you do not want a set duration)
    3. If you wish to record the conference check "Enable recording for this conference"  (RECOMMENDED)
    4. If desired add a description to the conference 
    5. You can uncheck the "Invite All Course Members" box if the conference is between you and one student or a small group of students. Once you uncheck the box, it will let you individually select student names to invite to the conference. If you set your conference up in advance, you need to ensure that you make sure all the students are invited before you start the conference. If a student enrolls in your class after you set up the conference, they will not be invited unless you go back in and invite them.


    6.  
  4.  Once you are satisfied with the settings for the conference click "Update". 
    1. If you wish to set up multiple conferences at a time, repeat steps 1-4 until all conference required for the course are set up. Instruct the students to, at the time of the conference, go to the conference section of the course and click "Join" for the applicable conference.
       

 To run a conference

  • In the course go to the conferences section in the course

     
  • Click "Start" for the applicable conference. If you set your conference up in advance, you need to ensure that you make sure all the students are invited before you start the conference. If a student enrolls in your class after you set up the conference, they will not be invited unless you go back in and invite them.
     
  • Follow the onscreen prompts and use the buttons in the top toolbar to control what you are sharing (students will have the same buttons for webcam and microphone)



     
  •  Once the conference is over click End meeting (from the more options buttons at the top right)



     
  • Finally, in the conference section of the course, click "End" for the applicable conference


     
  • If the conference was recorded the recording will be available in the conference section of the course after a while (this can vary depending on how long the conference was and how busy the servers are). Recordings are available for 14 days after the end of the conference.

To Access a Recorded Canvas Conference

  • From the "Conferences" page, click the name of the conference listed under "Concluded Conferences," then click "Presentation." 
    • Do note that Canvas Conferences are only stored for 14 days, after which point they are automatically deleted.

For more help with BigBlueButton

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