Welcome back! A new semester is just around the corner, and now is the perfect time to set up your Canvas course for success. Whether you’re teaching one section or several, these tips will help you start strong and keep everything organized.
Combine Courses or Sections
Teaching multiple sections? Save time by merging them into one Canvas shell. Learn how by viewing the Combine Courses knowledge article.
Communicate Early
Early communication is vital. To communicate with students prior to the start of the term you will need to adjust both the start and end date for your course.
Pre-Course Surveys or Assignments
In order to have students complete a pre-course survey or participate in an assignment prior to the regular term start – you will need to adjust both the start and end date for your course. We suggest 12 days after the end of the term for the end date, afterward, the course will become read-only.
Use Draft State
If you would like to work on your course Assignments, Discussions, Modules, Pages, and Quizzes before allowing students access to the materials, you can save contenta s a “draft” (unpublished state). Please see the Canvas Guides below for additional information.
Manage Files
If you are allowing access to Files in the Course Navigation, the default setting in Canvas allows students access to the items that you upload into your Course Files, except for files uploaded directly into assignments, quizzes, and discussions. Please check to make sure the files you wish to share with or hide from students are marked as published or unpublished, respectively.
Course Design Support
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers assistance with designing and developing a new course, or re-designing an existing course by incorporating technologies to improve learning outcomes in various learning environments. Visit CTL’s Contact Us page and request a consultation.
Publish Your Course
Remember to publish your course in advance of the course start date.
Getting Help
Contact Instructure for 24x7x365 support (View Help on the global navigation menu in Canvas).
Faculty Hotline: 1-833-476-1172
Additional Resources
- Beginning of Semester Canvas Checklist
- Instructional Roles in Canvas
- How do I copy content from another Canvas course?
- How do I manage course navigation?
- How do I combine sections?
- How do I restrict files and folders to students in Canvas?
- Canvas Course Availability, Term dates, and Official Shell Access Dates
- Request an LTI
- Accessible Canvas Course Checklist
- Resources to Support Accessibility in Canvas
These new semester tips are also available on the Prepare for a New Semester knowledge article!