• Change the course title/name on the banner
• Add your course information in each section.
• Modify the Grading Scheme example (Canvas-default) as appropriate. Remember to update the grading scheme Links to an external site. in the Canvas course Settings to ensure grades are calculated correctly in your Gradebook.
• Find course policy examples in the CELT Syllabus Checklist with Required, Recommended, and Additional Statements Links to an external site..
• To add more columns/rows to a table in the "Grading" section, click on a row or column for a Table Context Menu. Select options on the menu to add or remove a column/row. Watch a tutorial on how to add a column/row to a table Links to an external site.(length: 0:42).

 Use Headings (Text Style) in the Canvas Rich Content Editor Links to an external site. for content organization and improved readability. In the Syllabus template page, section titles use "Heading 3" (e.g., Instructor Information, Course Materials) and "Heading 4" for sub-titles (e.g., Grade Distribution, a particular course policy)

• The Required and Recommended ISU Syllabus Statements are available for students via the "ISU Syllabus Statements" link on the course navigation menu.
• If the link is not displayed on your course navigation menu, you can enable it by managing the course navigation links Links to an external site..

• The syllabus can be saved as a PDF document and printed.
• Printing instructions are available for you and your students at the top of the Course Syllabus page.

• The navigation icon   is enabled on the right-hand side of the Syllabus page to help students quickly locate the syllabus content.
• Do not delete the placeholder at the bottom (shown as [Syllabus Navigation]) unless you want to disable this feature.

• The ISU Course Template uses a content page to present your course syllabus. It's highly recommended you use a content page because it has a page history feature Links to an external site..
• Another option is to use the "Syllabus" tool on the Canvas course navigation menu.
  
  • This option has a Course Summary Links to an external site. feed at the bottom.
  • The syllabus does not include a page history feature Links to an external site., so you cannot restore a previous version if you make a mistake.
  • You can enable/disable the Canvas Syllabus by managing the course navigation links Links to an external site..

• Option 1 (beginner-friendly): Use the Example Content Page.
  • Find the page in the Example Module of the course template.
  • Duplicate the page. Links to an external site.
  • Edit the duplicated page and use the Headings in the Canvas Rich Content Editor Links to an external site. to organize your content.
• Option 2: Style a blank Canvas page.
  • Add a new Canvas page Links to an external site. to a desired module.
  • Use the DesignPLUS tool to apply a theme to the blank page. Watch a tutorial on How to apply the templated look to a page Links to an external site. (length: 2:36).
  • Discover more ISU-branded themes in DesignPLUS tools.
    

1. Import course content from an existing Canvas course. Links to an external site.You can choose to copy All Content or specific content.
2. Use the DesignPLUS tool to style any page with existing content. Watch a tutorial on How to apply the templated look to a page Links to an external site.(length: 2:36).

• Consider using the PowerPoint Slides template and Video Thumbnail (cover card) template included in the "ISU-Branded Templates" folder in your course's Files.
• These templates will help your presentations and videos match the look and feel of your course.
• Check out the Canvas guide on how to replace a Canvas Studio video thumbnail. Links to an external site.

• Create an accessible course schedule with the formatted table to document all important dates in your course.
• Watch a tutorial on how to add a column/row to a course schedule's table Links to an external site.(length: 0:42).

• List instructors and TAs' contact information and student (office) hours
• Click on the image and use the Image icon on the Rich Content Editor to upload photos Links to an external site..
• Add a written, audio, or video self-introduction 
  • Consider using Canvas Studio Links to an external site. to record and embed a short (1-2 minute) introduction.
• Delete the Teaching Assistant section if appropriate.

  Describe images in alternative text or mark as decorative Links to an external site. to make them accessible for all learners.

  Provide closed captions and/or transcripts for self-introduction videos to ensure accessibility for all viewers. Canvas Studio produces auto-generated captions Links to an external site. for review and publishing.

• This page combines institutional requirements, support, and resources into an expandable accordion with many resources to help your students succeed in your course.
• Add other resources you want to provide your students or remove any items not applicable to your course:
  1. To add or remove content, call on the DesignPlus tools.
  2. Place your cursor anywhere in the accordion.
  3. In the DesignPlus dashboard to your right, click the Target   tab and select the Accordion section.
  4. In the Content panel, adjust the number of panels and enter their titles.
  5. Enter the content for each panel on the Canvas page.

  DesignPlus Tools

  • For advanced customization, access DesignPlus tools when editing a page by pressing the following keys on your keyboard: Alt+Shift+D (Windows) or Option+Shift+D (Mac).
  • The DesignPlus dashboard opens to your right. 
  • Book an appointment Links to an external site. with CELT for one-on-one advanced customization assistance.

Consider adding the following items to the Start Here module:

• A short Syllabus video to introduce and review your syllabus.
• A Syllabus Quiz. Refer to sample syllabus quiz questions (PDF) Links to an external site..
• Student self-introduction discussion forum to build a community.
• Tips on how to succeed in your course.
• If you use any teaching approach unfamiliar to students (e.g., team-based learning, gamification, project-based learning, etc.), explain the purpose/structure and your expectations. Optionally, provide a low-stake activity for students to practice.

• Use the template Module Overview page to:
  
  • Introduce module topics
  • Add module/unit learning objectives (describe what learners can do upon completing a module)
  • List what learners need to read, watch, and/or complete within the module
• Delete or add sections if appropriate
• The course learning objectives should point to higher-level thinking skills. The module learning objectives should break down new knowledge and skills into specific, discrete skills and knowledge. 
• Examples: 
  • Course-Level: Upon completion of the course, students will be able to Analyze American sentiment toward World War II using seminal primary and secondary sources.
  • Module-level: Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:
    • Identify seminal primary and secondary sources, such as interviews, opinion pieces, academic books, and journal articles representing American sentiment during World War II.
    • Dissect major themes and patterns in seminal primary and secondary sources.
    • Discuss cultural and socio-economic contexts surrounding the creation of seminal primary and secondary sources.
    • Analyze biases, beliefs, values, attitudes, emotions, and other factors impacting descriptions of American sentiment toward World War II in seminal primary and secondary source materials.

• Duplicate the Example Content Page when adding new content.
  
  • Check the directions on how to duplicate a page in a course. Links to an external sit
    
  • Use the heading hierarchy (Paragraph/Text Style) in the Rich Content Editor Links to an external site. to apply the ISU template "look" to headings.
    

• Course cards on the Canvas Dashboard show an overview of course information. Edit the course name and code Links to an external site. if needed.
• Pick a unique course card image, allowing students to recognize your course on the Dashboard easily. You can add or change an image to a course card. Links to an external site.
  • To create a course card matching this template's look, use the file "Course and Video Cover Card. pptx" in the "ISU-Branded Templates" folder in the course's Files to create an image (guidance is provided within the file).

• You can control which links appear in Course Navigation/Menu Links to an external site.for students.

• • Hide unused links from students. The Visibility icon   indicates a hidden link.
  • Consider hiding Pages and Files links as they're repositories of course materials. If visible, students can see all published pages and files in your course.

• Canvas Gradebook assigns letter grades based on the course Grading Scheme.
• Ensure your course's Grading Scheme Links to an external site. aligns with your grading policy in your syllabus.

• View and modify other course settings Links to an external site. if necessary, including:
  • associated course sections
  • course status (published or not)
  • course availability dates.