Steps to Preparing Your Canvas Course (with a sprinkle of fun!)
As educators, we know that a well-constructed Canvas course can set the tone for an engaging and productive semester. Whether you're a veteran instructor or prepping for your first class, this guide will help you craft an accessible and polished course in no time. And because faculty meetings and syllabi can sometimes feel... less than thrilling, we've added a touch of levity to the course-building process!
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1. Copy & Build: Make Life Easier!
Pro Tip: Work smarter, not harder.
Why reinvent the wheel when you can copy content from a master or previous semester course? Check out the Import Content Knowledge Article to get started. Who knows, the 20 minutes you save could be your ticket to a second cup of coffee—or finally tackling that pesky Rubik’s cube that’s on your desk.
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2. Revise Your Syllabus: The Backbone of Your Course
Pro Tip: The syllabus is your contract and a student guide to learning.
Grab the latest syllabus template from the course's Syllabus page, fill it out, and upload it. Want to keep it interesting? Add a personal touch, like your favorite book recommendation or a fun fact about yourself. For example, "Your instructor speaks 3 languages!”
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3. Adjust Due Dates: Keep It Current
Pro Tip: Avoid the “Oops! That was last year’s date” email.
Use the Update Due Dates Knowledge Article to align all assignments and exams with the current semester calendar. Students appreciate a syllabus that doesn’t require detective work.
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4. Update the Instructor Info Page: Include Your Smiling Face
Pro Tip: Students love knowing who is on the other side of the computer.
Head to the Instructor Page of your course and add your contact info, office hours, a photo and maybe even a quirky hobby. "I’m a social studies teacher who has traveled to 48 of the 50 states!”
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5. Validate Links: Save Your Sanity
Pro Tip: Broken links = frustration for everyone.
Use the Link Validator on the course’s Settings page to ensure that all the embedded links work properly. One click now can save you from a flood of emails later!
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6. Assess Accessibility: Learning for Everyone
Pro Tip: Small tweaks, big impact.
Use the Ally Course Accessibility Report to identify areas where accessibility improvements are needed. A little extra effort here ensures that all students, regardless of ability, can succeed in your course. Bonus points if you discover an easy way to improve document readability with a new font or format!
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7. Configure Zoom & Panopto: Tech-Savvy Made Easy
Pro Tip: A tech mishap is one "Can you hear me now?" away.
Hybrid and remote instructors, make sure Zoom and Panopto are ready to go. Schedule lectures and create a home for recordings in advance—your future self (and your students) will thank you. Review the Schedule Zoom Knowledge Article for a walkthrough.
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8. Review Canvas Notification Settings: Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Pro Tip: Stay connected without feeling overwhelmed.
Take a moment to adjust your notification preferences in Canvas. Keep the important stuff at the forefront. This way you are notified when your students need you.
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9. Publish Courses On-time: 4 is the Magic Number
Pro Tip: Unpublished courses are like locked doors.
Imagine this: Your students log in to Canvas, excited to see what the course has in store, only to find... nothing. Don’t leave them hanging! Publish your course on time. All Canvas courses must be published for student access no later than 4 calendar days prior to the course’s advertised start date.
Now that your Canvas course is ready, take a step back and give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve not only prepared a functional course but also created an environment that invites curiosity, clarity, and connection. Let the semester begin!
Do you need help or have questions? Reach out to eLearning at elearning@pgcc.edu to schedule an appointment or use the Drop-In Support dates available in December and January.
