Beginning-of-Course Checklist
This Beginning-of-Course Checklist is a starting point for ensuring your course is ready to go for student access at the start of a new course term.
Click here to download a printable PDF version of this checklist. Download Click here to download a printable PDF version of this checklist.
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Set Up Account NotificationsTo ensure you receive email notifications for important course activities and Canvas Inbox messages, set up your Notification Preferences in your Account. Learn how to set up your Notification Preferences here! Links to an external site. |
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Customize Course Detail SettingsIt is important to be aware of the many different options residing under Course Details in Course Settings. Selecting More Options will open up a menu of extra features to turn on and off, such as allowing students to post their own discussion threads. Learn more about your Course Detail Settings here! Links to an external site. |
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Clean Up Migrated Content (If Applicable)If migrating content from Blackboard or another course, you should review individual items, check course settings, organize content, and remove unneeded content before publishing your course. Review the Files, Modules, Pages, Quizzes, Assignments, and Discussions index pages.
Learn more about migrating content from Blackboard! If you require assistance from one of our technologists, please visit pi.tt/canvascontact Links to an external site.. |
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Simplify Course NavigationFor the best course experience, ensure that you have hidden unnecessary course navigation links and made necessary links available to students. |
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Choose Home PageThe Home Page is the first impression of a course. Select the Home Page option that best fits the needs of your course. |
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Publish Course and ContentCheck visibility of individual items and Modules as a whole, and don’t forget to publish your course . |
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Review Course in Student ViewReview your course content from Student View to experience your course from a student perspective.
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Best Practices |
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Select Favorite CoursesCustomize which course cards are displayed on the Dashboard by “ Favoriting ” courses based on preference, current term, quarter, semester, etc. Learn how to "Favorite" your courses so they show up on your Dashboard here! |
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Set Up GradesVerify the Gradebook is arranged according to your grading policy and syllabus. |
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Set Up Assignment Groups (If Applicable)If you use weighted grading categories for your final grade calculations, you will want to add Assignment Groups to the Assignments Index Page and assign weights to each Group. Learn how to add Assignment Groups and assign weighted grades to each Group here! |
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Verify CalendarCheck the Calendar tool to verify Assignment due dates and Events scheduled for your course.
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Set a Profile PictureSet a profile picture that represents yourself in your Canvas Account. Students will be able to see the image displayed in the Inbox, Announcements, Discussions, and People tab. |