New semester Canvas setup

The following information includes tips to help you get started with Canvas during a new semester. It is not required to follow all of the steps in every guide; you can use them to determine how you want to organize and run your course. If you need assistance, please submit a ticket for Canvas Assistance using the links on this IT Support site.

Have you taught this course at NELB before?

Start by importing the content from your previous course
Delete old announcements
Run the link validator to check for any content that may have broken during the import
Review the other guides below for more tips on using Canvas before you publish your course

Guidance within Canvas

Canvas has a tutorial available for guidance as you navigate the pages of your Canvas course. The tutorial is on by default for new users and can be re-enabled from your user settings if you've previously finished it. When it's active, you'll see an explanation of the page you're on and any related documentation links on the right side of your screen.

How do I use the Canvas course setup tutorial?

Customize the look and navigation of your course

Change your course home page - includes guidance for using an NELB branded template home page
Customize your Course Navigation
(Optional) Add an image to your course card in the Dashboard

Add / update course syllabus

How do I use the Syllabus as an instructor?
How do I upload a document in the Rich Content Editor?
Link to a OneDrive document in Canvas content

Set up your gradebook

The columns in the Canvas gradebook correspond with the graded items within your Canvas course, including assignments, quizzes, and discussion board topics. Each graded item will also be listed in the Assignments page of your course. See Understanding the Assignments Index page for more information.

Organize your content with modules

Modules provide a structured way to organize different types of course content for your students to find what they need easier. Some examples of ways to use modules are to organize content by week, by topic, or to ensure that students work through online content in a specific order.

If a file, assignment, or other content item is published, but is organized into a module that is unpublished, students will not be able to interact with that item until the module is published. If you're using modules, but students are unable to see what you expect them to see, confirm that you've published the modules with the content you want students to see.

Online courses and Zoom class sessions

For online courses that require scheduled synchronous class sessions, Zoom is integrated with Canvas courses to make scheduling with your students easier.

Note: If Zoom has an outage and you need an alternative, you can use Microsoft Teams instead for your online class session.

Check for errors

Run the link validator to check for broken links or content that students don't have the right access to view
How do I view a course as a test student using Student View?
How do I use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor?