Start of Semester Checklist

As you work your way through the checklist, please be aware of the Canvas training and support options available to you. Visit the Canvas Training and Support page to find information about upcoming Canvas trainings and additional resources. Always feel free to contact your Instructional Design Liaison for individual support.

1. Import Course Materials into Your Canvas Course Shell (Course Copy)

The Import Existing Content button allows faculty to copy course materials from a previously taught course to a new course as a course copy. For example, you may have created documents in a fall course that you want to add to your spring course. You must be an Instructor in both courses to course copy. For more information about this process, view Copy and Import Course Content.

Note, unlike Blackboard, this procedure is initiated from your new course shell.

2. Use Modules and Add Content to Build Course Flow

Modules in Canvas function like folders – they provide you with a space to organize your course materials allowing for a cohesive experience for your students. You can use modules to divide and organize your course by week, unit, or topic, so your students can find and access their course materials easily. Once you have created a module title, you can add content including pages and assignments. For more information about working with modules, view Creating Modules in Canvas

3. Post and Organize your Course Content in Canvas

Whether you’ve copied your materials from a previous course, or are starting from scratch, you’ll want to be sure you’re taking advantage of the tools to post and organize your course materials in Canvas. There are several ways you can post and organize your content. You can upload files, such as Word files, PPTs, or PDFs. You can also add pages to display your text, images, Word docs, videos, PPTs, etc. For more information about posting and organizing your content, view Organizing your Canvas Course Content.

4. Locate Settings for Modules, Pages, and Assignments

Canvas uses an Options Menu with three vertical dots. When you are editing pages and assignments, you can scroll down the page to see additional options. If you still cannot find what you are looking for, try the options menu.

5. Update Deadlines, Dates, and Materials

Be sure that your deadlines, dates, and materials reflect the current semester. Consider adding due dates to Canvas Assignments. Due dates will appear in the Syllabus tool in Canvas, as well as in student calendars, and serve as a reminder to students to complete their work.

6. Post Your Syllabus Using the Syllabus Tool

Canvas has its very own syllabus tool, which allows you to post both a static and interactive syllabus. An interactive syllabus creates links to your assignments, discussions, and assessments in the Course Summary once they’ve been posted in Canvas. For more information about posting your syllabus and using this fantastic tool, view Edit Your Syllabus in Canvas.

7. Welcome Your Students Using the Course Homepage

It is recommended that you download Seton Hall Homepage Template from Canvas Commons. Commons is a repository in Canvas that faculty and other Canvas users can access to share assignments and other resources created in Canvas. The Seton Hall Homepage template found in Commons contains a Seton Hall themed header and footer, and once downloaded, will become the default home page for your course. Once you set your template, you’ll want to edit your homepage, to include a welcome message.

In Canvas, students will land on a homepage of your choosing. On your homepage, consider including a brief introduction to your course, including course navigation instructions, any prerequisite knowledge, and other information relevant to the course. You may also use this space to provide your contact information and any words of advice.

To edit your Course Homepage:

1. Click the Edit button at the top right corner of the homepage.

2. Type or copy your information into the content editor.

3. Click the Save button at the bottom right corner of the page.

8. Create a Faculty Information Module and Add Your Contact Information

Create a “Faculty Information” Module and add a page that includes your email, office location, and office hours. You may also add notes and upload a picture. For information about adding content to a module, view Add Content to a Module.

9. Add Student Resources to Your Canvas Course from Canvas Commons

The TLTC has created Seton Hall specific Resources Modules in Canvas Commons for you to include in your Canvas courses. These shared modules contain pages with important information for students about how to access both academic and technology resources (including Canvas how-to articles). For more information on adding the Resources module to your course(s), visit Add Course Content from Canvas Commons.

10. Decide Which Items in the Course Navigation Menu To Show Students

You won’t be able to add or delete items in the Course Navigation Menu in Canvas; however, you can decide which of those items you would like your students to see. It is recommended that, at a minimum, you show students the Announcements, Syllabus, Modules, and Grades items.  View the step-by-step instructions to show or hide items on the students' Course Navigation Menu.

11. Validate Course Links

Before you make a course visible to students, verify links to course content throughout your course to ensure they are valid. You can check these links using the course link validator, which searches through course content and returns invalid or unresponsive course content links in both published and unpublished content. However, please note that some links flagged as unresponsive are inaccessible by Canvas servers but will still work for students. Learn how to use the Course Link Validator.

12. Communicate with Your Students

Announcements and Inbox are Canvas’s two communication tools. Announcements facilitates communicating with everyone in the course, while Inbox provides a direct email-like messaging system that is secure and easily sortable. Class members are notified via email when they are included in a message using either tool. Learn how to communicate with students via Canvas.

13. Preview Course as Student

The "Student View" feature allows you to determine what your course looks like from the students' perspective. You can access the Student View button from multiple places within your course to test content. Learn how to enable student view.  

14. Publish Your Course Content 

Publishing your course in Canvas does not automatically publish all the content. Published content in Canvas will have a green check on the right side of the item. If an item has grey circle with a line though it, it is unpublished. Students will only be able to view published materials. Learn how to publish your course content and course.

Note: You can unpublish items/modules in Canvas by reversing the process. However, assignments, quizzes, and other items to be submitted in Canvas can only be unpublished if a student has not attempted it. Once an assignment or quiz has been attempted, you will no longer be able to unpublish it.