The Start-of-Semester Checklist includes required and optional items to accomplish before the start of the semester. Depending on your course format (online or in person), you may not need some items detailed below.
Want a printable version of this checklist? Download our Get Started with Canvas .pdf and check off tasks as you go!
Create your course
Most courses are automatically created in Canvas. To view your courses, log in to https://canvas.colorado.edu. To combine or modify Canvas courses, follow the Canvas - Request Course Changes tutorial to submit your request.
Learn Canvas basics
Visit the OIT Academic Technology Training page for live and on-demand trainings. OIT offers live trainings at the start and end of each semester; on-demand trainings are available year-round.
New to Canvas? Try the Teaching with Canvas on-demand training for basic Canvas information. Tutorials for Assignments and Grading and Administering Quizzes and Exams are also helpful.
Explore sample CU Boulder Canvas courses that effectively use Canvas and Cidi Labs Design Tools. Users will need to log in to Canvas to access the sample courses.
Consult the Digital Accessibility Office resource page to make sure your course is designed accessibly.
Add content to Canvas
Upload or import content into a Canvas course:
- Use the Files link on the course navigation menu to upload documents to your Canvas course.
- On the homepage, select Import Existing Content to copy content from a CU Boulder course, or import an external Canvas course.
- You can add content at any time before or during the semester.
Use Modules to organize your course content. Create multiple modules to organize content items by week (the most popular student request) or content type.
Choose a Home Page where students will land when they access your course. By default, your home page is set to Modules, but you can change it to a custom page, your syllabus, the assignments list, or the course activity stream by navigating to your Home Page and then selecting Choose Home Page.
Add your syllabus. Select Syllabus from the course navigation menu, then click the Edit button. Next, paste or upload the document into the Rich Content Editor and save by selecting Update Syllabus. See additional information on the Syllabus tool.
Create or check graded items (e.g., assignments, quizzes, graded discussions) and ensure the due dates and points possible are correct. Review the Recommendations for Student-Centered Grading in Canvas.
Organize graded items into Assignment Groups. If you use final grade weighting, check that your assignment group weights match your syllabus.
Publish your Canvas course
Validate course links to confirm all internal and external links are functional.
Preview the course with Student View to verify content is available or restricted appropriately.
Publish the Canvas course and check the start date to give students access. The Canvas course must be published and the start date must pass before students can access the course.
After publishing, let students know. Use announcements or the inbox to communicate with students enrolled in your course.
