Preparing Course Sites

Preparing Course Sites in Canvas

Once you have access to a new Canvas course site, you can start building from scratch or use prior content that is already existing in Canvas.

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Access your new course site in Canvas. Note that all new course sites are empty/blank to start - you can either reuse content or start fresh. Also note that new course sites names start with term information first while migrated content sites start with course code.

2. OPTIONAL - reuse content from a prior semester (skip to step #3 to start fresh)

   • • Select 'Import Existing Content' (far right side of Home page) and use the drop-down to choose 'Copy a Canvas Course' 

     • On the import content page, search for the course that has the content you want to reuse 

     • Select 'all content' and check 'adjust events and due dates' and 'remove dates' (recommended options)

NOTE:

2. • • • • Once the process completes, be sure to review/update the links on the menu. Clean up of content will be needed and some items may not have copied correctly and will need to be cleaned up or recreated.

         • Any textbook integrations or other external tools used in Blackboard need to be reconfigured in the Canvas course in order for that content to be accessible in the new course site.

         • See also Canvas Course Import Tool and Importing Content from Blackboard for details if needed.

3. Start with Modules page to start organizing your materials and building the course layout. This is the main section students will access. Students cannot access Files or Pages directly - they must be added to Modules.

   • To create a module, click on +Module (far right side) and label it the name of your topic/unit/week/type of material/etc. 

   • Add content to your module by clicking on the plus sign and selecting options from the drop-down presented. You can upload a file, link to a website or external tool (textbook material, Zoom etc) or create a 'Page' which provides access to a standard rich content editor (open textbox) to create or embed custom content.

4. Set up the Assignments page (this is where you set up the Gradebook).

   • Create assignments for everything you grade a student on during the semester. If you wish to capture a grade for something, it must have an assignment associated with it.

   • Set up grading criteria by adding items or using the three dots on the right side to modify each. If you weight by category, you must organize assignments into Groups (click +Group towards top) and then specify the percentage for each grouping.

5. Publish. Last step is making your content accessible to your students. You’ll need to publish your course and the items within your modules. You need to do both. Publishing the course gives students access to the course on their dashboard. Publishing the modules lets students see the content inside of the course. Look for Publish button and check mark icons that can be clicked on/off. When clicked 'on', they are published and available. When clicked 'off', the check mark icons are grayed out indicating not available to students.

Note regarding Syllabus Page in Canvas

The syllabus page shows a table-oriented view of the course schedule. You can add comments, notes, or thoughts you have about the course structure, course policies, textbook information, or anything else. 

• You can also link to a hard-copy file (PDF preferred) of your course syllabus. Learn More: Canvas Resources for Instructors - Rich Content Editor.

• If you will not be utilizing the Course Syllabus page (or other menu options), you can hide it from the menu. Learn More: Canvas Resources for Instructors - Course Navigation.

Start of Semester Items of Importance

• Be sure to publish your course site and content. Course sites no longer become automatically available to students. You must publish BOTH the content and the course.

• Up to 20 courses appear on your dashboard (default landing page upon login). To see all courses and customize which appear on your dashboard, click on Courses (book icon on global menu) then select All Courses. Star those you want to ensure appear on your dashboard.

• Note that notifications from Canvas are sent (or not) according to personal preference. Notification preferences can be customized under the Profile page. 

• Links to resources and available assistance - for you and students - are always accessible under Help (question mark icon on the global menu). See Canvas Resources (main), Preparing Course Sites, Features at a Glance, Full Reference, Recording of Live Training or enroll into a self-paced Online Canvas Orientation for Faculty. 

Adjusting Availability (Student Access)

Published course sites become available to students up to a week prior to their term start date and close to student access 14 days after the term end date. 

You can adjust access for all or in the case of an incomplete, you can contact us to create you a separate section within the course site to extend access for specific student(s).

See Adjusting Availability for step-by-step directions.

NOTE that the course needs to be published for students to be able to view it.  NEVER click to 'Conclude Course'. Courses conclude automatically after the end date is reached.