Canvas Course Checklist

Here’s a handy checklist of what you can do to make your best online course with Canvas.

Click here for printable version.

Several Weeks Before Course Begins

• Review Best Practices and Expectations
• Merge Course Sections (if applicable)
  • Merge Request Form
  • How-To Guide: Request a Source Course/Merged Course
• Import content into Canvas
  • How-To Guide: Move a Class from a Previous Semester or Migrated Course
  • Importing a Canvas course export package
• Review and update the following in Canvas:
  • Syllabus
    • How do I use the Syllabus as an instructor?
    • How do I edit the Syllabus description in a course?
  • Course Settings
    • How do I use Course Settings?
    • How do I provide Read Only Access to courses?
  • Navigation Structure
    • How do I manage Course Navigation Links?
  • Calendar
    • How do I use the Calendar as an instructor?
    • How do I add an event to my course calendar?
    • How can I create appointments for my students?
  • Modules
    • How do I use the Modules page?
    • How do I add a Module?
    • How do I add prerequisites to a module?
    • How do I add requirements to a module?
    • How do I add assignment types, pages, and files as module items?
  • Assignments
    • How do I create an assignment?
    • What is the difference between assignment due dates and availability dates?
    • How do I add an assignment group in a course?
    • How do I weight the final course grade based on assignment groups?
    • How-To Guide: TurnItIn
    • How-To Guide: Adding Library Resources to Canvas
  • Gradebook
    • How do I use the Gradebook?
    • How do I view assignments or students individually in the Gradebook?
    • How do I use the icons and colors in the Gradebook?
    • How do I use Posting Policies in a Course Gradebook?
    • How do I sort columns in the Gradebook?
  • Personal Notifications
    • How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as an instructor?
    • How do I add an additional email address as a contact method in Canvas as an instructor?
  • Zoom Connections
    • How do I use Zoom with my Canvas Course – FAQ?
  • YuJa Recording
    • How do I use YuJa in my Canvas Course – FAQ?
  • Online Proctoring Options
    • How do I use JCCC supported Digital Proctoring Solutions?
• Hide select class materials from student view in Canvas (optional)
• Review and revise online course materials

One Week Before Course Begins

• Publish course (All courses will automatically become published on the first day of classes)
  • How do I publish a course?
• Publish orientation materials
• Send “Welcome” Announcement
  • How do I email my students in the class?
  • How do I add an announcement in a course?

First Week

• Post “personal introduction”
• Review class introductions
• Summarize students’ postings
• Contact students who haven’t accessed the course
  • How-to Guide: Viewing Student Activity in a Course
• Submit to My JCCC Student Attendance

Daily

• Monitor class discussions
  • How do I view and sort discussion replies as an instructor?
• Monitor JCCC email and Canvas Inbox

Weekly

• Post weekly announcement
  • How do I add an announcement in a course?
• Grade assignments
  • How do I use SpeedGrader?
  • How do I get to SpeedGrader from an assignment, quiz, or graded discussion?
  • How do I enable anonymous grading to hide student names in SpeedGrader?
  • How do I hide or post an assignment grade in SpeedGrader?
  • How do I add annotated comments in student submissions using DocViewer in SpeedGrader?
  • How do I enter and edit grades in SpeedGrader?
  • How do I use a rubric to grade submissions in SpeedGrader?
  • How do I grade quiz questions in SpeedGrader?
  • How do I grade a graded discussion in SpeedGrader?
• Summarize Discussions
• Hold Office Hours (optional)
  • How do I create a conference in a course?
  • How do I add a Scheduler appointment group in a course calendar?
• Update class calendar as necessary
  • How do I edit an event or assignment in the Calendar?

Two Weeks Before Course Ends

• Encourage students to participate in JCCC Course Evaluations

Last Day of Course

• Post end-of-class announcement
• Remind students to download/print any work they’d like to keep
  • How do I download assignment submissions from all my courses?
  • How do I download a single file as a student?
• Post final grades in My JCCC or use “Submit Grades to Banner” in Canvas
• Review and revise course materials for future offerings