Course Setup

Effective Online Teaching Begins with Creating a Structured and Organized Classroom

Like a brick-and-mortar course, there are specific actions online instructors should perform at different intervals throughout a class. Due to the unique nature of online learning, such as the teacher-to-student separation by geography, time, and senses, intentional pre-planning is essential. As an online teacher, you must establish a presence early in the course and model the level of engagement you expect from students.

Investing time on the front end to create a classroom environment with structure and systems will reduce learner confusion and anxiety and save time on the backend. Anticipate common questions and points of confusion and provide answers/solutions proactively within your course setup and communication. This will maximize your time to focus on instructional planning, student feedback, and data-informed adjustments to help students meet learning targets.

Essential Tasks and Items for Course Setup

Successful Couse Setup.pdf

Course Setup Checklist 2022-2023

Review Teacher Expectations and Bookmark Key Information

Important Links

https://ivsa.maestrosis.com/MyHomePage.aspx

2. Thoroughly Review the Canvas LMS Training Videos

Review the Canvas LMS portal page

3. Review the Student Canvas Overview Video

Review the Canvas Overview for Students video to familiarize yourself with the student-facing version of the platform.

4. Review the Curriculum and Associated Resources

5. Create Course Pacing Chart and Assign Due Dates in Canvas

Many courses have an included pacing chart/map you can use or modify.
Ensure your course is sequenced logically based on prerequisite standards and skills needed to master the lessons.
The pacing chart should be manageable for students and ensure students can complete all course requirements within the term end date.

PACING CHART TEMPLATE BY COHORT START DATE

Once you have mapped out the pacing of your course, you will need to assign due dates in Canvas manually. This step is crucial to ensure
- - students have clear expectations,
  - set a schedule to meet course expectations, and
  - allow for you to enable automatic placeholder grades for missing assignments

6. Create your Course Homepage

Create your course Home Page using one of the available templates in the Resources module of your course.

Creating Homepage Video Link

Include a brief welcome message
Provide contact information and daily office hours times
Outline concise student expectations
Provide student resources- Technology Help Desk, Online Student Resource Videos
Link your syllabus for easy reference

7. Adjust the Navigation Pane Apps for Student View

Some apps on the navigation pane are not applicable to students. Be sure to hide those to make a concise and organized view for your students. How to Adjust Applications from Student View

8. Map Your Time Management Routine

As a virtual teacher, it is essential to be organized and allocate the proper amount of time to tasks. Below are some guiding questions to help in mapping out your days/weeks.

Scheduled Management Video Resource
What will you do for each course daily?
What will you do for each course weekly?
What student data will you look at daily or weekly?
What student outreach will you do daily or weekly?
How will you use Canvas reports and dashboards to monitor student progress and inform outreach?

9. Configure your Canvas Course Notification Settings

There are notification settings for your general account and assigned courses. It is important to figure out for what and when you want to be notified to ensure strong course management. Here is a quick how-to for editing your notification settings with additional information here.

10. Publish Your Course for Student Accessibility

Once your course homepage is set up, you must Publish your course for students to be able to access it. After you publish your course, the course tile(s) will appear at the top of your dashboard. For courses assigned to you where zero students are enrolled, should remain UNpublished.

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