Task

Notes

Check Canvas for your current semester Course shell(s)

Course(s) should appear in the Unpublished section of your Dashboard

Request Cross-Listing (Merging Courses)

If teaching multiple sections that you would like combined into a single Canvas shell, ask an instructional technologist to merge your courses.

Verify Enrollment Roster Is Correct in WebSMART

Please note that any waitlisted students will NOT have access to your Canvas course until they use their add code and officially enroll. Add codes are not active until the first day of class, and this means that at the earliest, a student on your waiting list will not be able to access your Canvas course until the second day of class. Plan accordingly and provide those students who you want to add your course with any information they may need, including relevant zoom links or critical course information.  It typically takes about 24 hours after enrollment for a student to appear in your Canvas shell.

Contact Students

Communication with Online/Hybrid students should begin before the first class meeting. Faculty members are encouraged to develop an informational email, also known as a welcome letter, to be sent to enrolled students at least a week prior to the course start date. WebSMART Links to an external site.

 lists your current roster and waiting list. Under the Faculty Services section, select the link for Send Email To Your Class. This first email must include detailed information for how students log in to Canvas on the first day of instruction.

A welcome letter is an introduction of both the instructor and course, as well as information about the Online/Hybrid course experience and links to the Learning Readiness Module(s) from the OEI. It is recommended that the welcome letter also includes the following information and/or links:

• Instructions for how to access the course learning management system (currently Canvas)
• Course syllabus
• Guidelines for communication and contact
• Books, materials & technology requirements to take the course
• Course exam expectations

Copy Content From A Development Shell or a Previous Semester

Set “Delay Delivery” Dates For Imported Announcements

Set/Customize your Course Home Page

Review And Update Syllabus

Creating a digital syllabus has many benefits including being easier to make accessible, saving time from semester-to-semester, and meeting Title V requirements in outlining what and how students should interact with you, other students, and content within the course.

In addition to the required syllabus elements as outlined in the faculty handbook, the online syllabus should include three main elements: the contract, schedule, and map.

• Course Contract
• The course contract is the core of the online syllabus, providing students with information about academic policies and expectations. In short, everything they need to know so that they can access the course content, understand course policies, and complete assignments. Be sure to consult the Faculty Handbook to verify all required information that must be included in the syllabus.
• Course Schedule
• The course schedule in an online syllabus is similar to a face-to-face syllabus. It includes a description of weekly lessons, readings, activities, discussions, projects and assessments. Online  course syllabi can be lengthy, so it is helpful to call special attention to important dates in the semester - whether that is withdrawal deadlines or timing for exams. It is also useful to give students a general weekly timeline for when new course modules and content are released, and when activities, discussions, and assessments are due.
• Course Map
• The course map helps students understand site navigation. In many online syllabi, this is often embedded within the text of the contract components. For example: “You can respond to the Discussion Board by selecting the Discussions link on the Course Menu.” It is also possible to include a separate section in the syllabus with a guide to important links.
• Canvas Syllabus Template

• CSM: How to Import the Accessible Syllabus Template from Canvas Commons

• CSM Syllabus Template

• CSM Faculty Handbook
• CSM Faculty Handbook located on the VPI Faculty Resources page Links to an external site.
•  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Task

Notes

Send An Announcement To Welcome Your Students

After you have published your Canvas course and it is open for students to participate, then you can contact registered students with the Canvas Announcements Links to an external site. tool. Please be advised that both students and faculty have control over their Notifications Links to an external site. in their Account menu. You may need to tell students to allow notifications from you so that they do not miss important announcements.

Double Check and Remove Unnecessary Links From Course Navigation Menu

Check Course Details Settings

Verify Assignment Groups Are Correct For Weighted Totals

Validate Links

Add Requirements and/or Opening Dates To Module Items

Verify Course Content Is Accessible using Canvas Accessibility Checker

Publish Your Course

Task

Publish/Unpublish Course Materials/Modules as Needed

Check Assignment Due Dates