Canvas Insider Starter Pack #1
As we greet a new academic year, I wanted to share a couple of helpful items that my clients have really enjoyed from past consults.
One-click Canvas Course Access
You might save some mouseclicks by adding a bookmark of your course(s) homepage to your web browser’s bookmark bar:
If you have multiple courses in an academic term, you can create a bookmark folder and drag your course homepage bookmark(s) into it:
Prettify Canvas Dashboard Course Cards
In some cases, a color filter may be preventing your course card images from “popping,” as the kids say. In your Canvas Dashboard, click on the three vertical dots and confirm that Color Overlay is unchecked to make course cards more vivid:
Eliminate Web Browsing Distractions, Pop-ups, and Annoyances
For almost a decade I have the uBlock Origin extension installed on any web browser I use. Immediately after installation, right out of the box, it blocks annoying ads on webpages and so much more. It is free, open source, and available for most web browsers. Highly recommended for a more enjoyable web browsing experience.
Please note: Make sure you are installing uBlock Origin and not an unreasonable facsimile. Some extensions may look familiar to uBlock Origin, they are not recommended for installation:
Sneaky Phone Number Tips
1 - Next time you are at the gas station, and have the option to enter a phone number for fuel discounts, try entering this: (your local area code)-867-5309. Someone might have already set up a member reward account with this phone number popularized by this 80s pop song. As always, your mileage may vary, pun intended. I have observed some gas stations have started blocking this number. If this is the case, try (your local area code)-111-1111.
2 - Chances are this valid phone number has not been used where you live, should you want to sign up for a member rewards card: 248-434-5508.
Same goes for this phone number: 212-255-2748.
You won’t be able to receive text messages to verify blah-de-blah about your account, but they are valid phone numbers. Plus, if you are a single person, and are flirted with by a cringy individual, giving them one of these numbers might give them what they want without revealing your personal phone number.
Thank you for your time and attention! If you found value with this tip, shoot me an email to let me know. If you prefer I stick to just talking Canvas tips, shoot me an email to let me know. I appreciate your feedback…
-Chris