Welcome to the Teaching & Learning Guide for Moving Your Face-to-Face Course Online! 

This guide includes articles, step-by-step roadmaps, links, and resources designed to help you: 

• Determine your first steps based on your course type;

• Follow the first steps to move your course online;

• Request a Canvas Sandbox (if applicable);

• Find Canvas guides with screenshots and step-by-step instructions;

• Move content into your Canvas course;

• Request support from your Instructional Design Partner and the Technology Service Desk.

Think about your course as a series of modules rather than one large course. Focus on moving one small section or module online at a time. Once you have learned the process for adding your course content into Canvas, you will be ready to move more content into Canvas as needed.

The process you will follow to move your course online will vary depending on the type of course you teach.

To determine what type of course you have, take your syllabus and highlight all activities students will be required to complete for the next two weeks.

• Are the activities mostly readings, class discussions, and writing assignments? Your course is likely a seminar/discussion-based course.

• If the activities are primarily lectures and knowledge checks (quizzes on lecture content), then your course is likely a lecture/large course.

Once you have determined your course type, access the step-by-step "First Steps" guide below that best matches your course. If you are not sure which guide to choose, you can contact your Instructional Design Partner for one-on-one support.

A Sandbox is a Canvas course that only you can access. Students are never enrolled in a Sandbox, so you can add, modify, and delete content and explore Canvas features without concern that students may see something you do not want them to see. You can copy content from your Sandbox to your course once it is ready for students to view.

You may request a Canvas Sandbox for every course you teach. You can request one or more sandboxes by submitting a ticket to the Technology Service Desk. Please include the course numbers (e.g., ENG 1013, NURS 4612). 

Once you are ready to move your course content online, download the document below, and follow the steps. The links will take you to Canvas documentation that includes screenshots and step-by-step directions to using Canvas features. 

Remember that your Instructional Design Partner can meet with you to provide one-on-one assistance with your Canvas course.

During this time of transition, students will look to you for guidance. Communicate with your students as soon as possible! 

By attending a professional development workshop and working with your Instructional Design Partner, you will be equipped to communicate with your students in Canvas and help them succeed in the online learning environment.

Your hard work and dedication helps Texas Woman’s University fulfill its mission to inspire excellence and a pioneering spirit, and the Center for Development, Design, & Delivery is proud and grateful to support you.

Instructional Design Partners

Instructional Design Partners in the Center for Development, Design, & Delivery design and present learning solutions to continually enhance institutional and instructor performance. We collaborate closely with instructors to translate course objectives into meaningful, customized courses tailored to each instructor’s specific needs, leveraging an aptitude for design and development, along with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. 

Our technical expertise encompasses a range of programs and best practices, including Canvas, Quality Assurance, Universal Design, and more. Instructional Designers partner with academic components to answer questions about teaching and learning in one-on-one consultations, small group work, symposia, and workshops.

Technical Support

To request technical support, submit a Technology Service Desk email to start a ticket.