Educational Technology at Brevard College: Blog

Setting up your courses in Canvas

Copying an Old Course

If you've taught the course before in Canvas, you'll probably want to copy content over from an old course.  This video guide will walk you through the steps.

Setting Up a New Course

If you're teaching a course that you haven't taught in Canvas before, you'll be starting from scratch. I strongly recommend that you start by using the "Brevard Class Template - Slim".  Watch this video guide on importing the slim template. This template gives you the basics without filling your class site with too much stuff.  You'll gain a syllabus template, course home page, and a few other items.

Here are a few other refresher tutorials that you might find helpful:

• Adding weighted gradebook categories
• Creating Modules
• Assignments Overview
• Quizzes Overview
• Using the Canvas chat support
• Sharing a Google Drive document
• Using Zoom within Canvas
• Creating a recurring Zoom link for students in quarantine

4 things every Canvas class needs

• Attendance:  Attendance is taken for each day of class.  Remember, if a student is absent because of Covid, they’ll be marked as present.
• Syllabus: Post the course syllabus within the Canvas syllabus description area.  Enter the same information outlined in Brevard's syllabus guide.  Create a PDF version of the Canvas syllabus by clicking Ctrl + P (⌘ + P).  Submit that file to your administrative assistant by email by the end of the first week of the class.
• Gradebook: Enter student grades within the Canvas Grades section.  Keep the gradebook within Canvas up to date.
• Assignments: Prior to being due, enter all classroom assignments within Canvas, where appropriate.  This includes homework, projects, tests, quizzes, etc.  By adding assignments to Canvas, students will be able to fully utilize the calendar & ‘To Do’ listing.  There are exceptions.  For example, a pop quiz or in class handout that’s completed in class wouldn’t need to be entered ahead of time.

Of course, if you end up with any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to me!