Start of Course
Set-Up
Start-of-Course Checklist
This page takes you through everything you need to do to set up your courses for a new semester or school-year.
Combine Sections | Cross-listing
What is Combining Sections, anyway?
Combining Sections (otherwise known as cross-listing) allows you to combine Canvas courses for classes where you teach the same thing during multiple class periods. Once you have combined your courses, you can create an assignment once for multiple class periods, rather than having to repeat your work. This should save you a bunch of time and effort.
Cross-listing allows you flexibility! You can also assign content to just one class or even a group of students. You don't have to assign to everyone, just because the courses are combined. You can even create a single assignment, but add multiple due dates.
Choose your learning style. Instructions for how to combine sections are available as a doc, slides, or video. Pick what works best for you.
Doc Instructions
Gradebook suggestions
student names
Last Name, First Name
Grade Totals
Move to Front
Section Toggle
View One Section at a Time
(for combined courses - a "section" is a class period)
Click Apply Filters
Click Sections
Select a Section
Saved Filter Presets
Define frequently used filters to save time
Click Apply Filters
Click Create & Manage Filter Presets
In the sidebar, click the down arrow next to "Create Filter Preset"
Name your filter preset (ex: 1st period)
Set up your preset options
Click Save Filter Preset
New Course Updates
New Gradebook Updates
Key Gradebook Features
Do you have too many columns in your gradebook that makes it overwhelming? Turn on "filters" to limit what shows up in your gradebook:
Sections (show one period at a time or all)
Assignment Groups (show just one category at a time)
Modules (if you have modules set up, show just one module at a time)
Gradebook Statuses
With the new gradebook, you have the option to assign the following statuses to student assignment submissions:
Late
Missing
Excused
If your assignment is set up to accept online submissions, Late and Missing will be applied automatically. If your assignment is not set up for online submissions, you can manually add these statuses to your students' scores.
Add a weekly agenda
Your course includes a table in which you can add weekly assignments, but you'll need to update this each week.
If you like the "this week at a glance," but prefer to work from a Google Doc to make updating easier, try embedding this Google Doc of "this week at a glance" in place of the table at the bottom of the course page (click "Use Template" to make a copy of the doc for yourself).
You can also embed your own weekly agenda, in place of the "week at a glance" table. Be sure to make slide 1 the current week's slide so it shows for your students.
Sample slides agenda (click "Use Template" to make a copy for yourself)
Link to slides: Embed Google Files (in Canvas)
Customize your homepage
Your Canvas courses come with a default site homepage that needs to be updated before you start your course.
Please be sure to replace the words "Course Name" with the actual name of the course and the words "Teacher Name" with your name.
Please remove the image telling you to click edit and publish, along with the steps and reminders.
Reassign your homepage, if necessary.
Update the "About Your Teacher" page with information about you. It is especially important in distance learning to let your students know a little bit about you.
Import content from previous courses
Settings
Modules
Syllabus
Wiki Pages
Assignments
Files
