This guide supports developers using the CS Ecampus Canvas Template to create and structure courses. Always use the latest CS Course Template in Canvas (check with your Ecampus Instructional Designer for access). Maintain uniformity to help students focus on learning rather than navigating course structure. Refer to the tips section for best practices.
You should also create a Canvas Sandbox site for creating unpublished course content.
The checklists in this guide align with the required EECS Canvas Template
Canvas Module(s)
Start Here Module
Overview Page
Syllabus Link and Tabs
College of Engineering courses have public syllabus pages linked to Canvas.
Do not include information such as private contact, TA contact, or any personal information that you would not want accessed outside of your course roster.
Private information should be linked from the general syllabus page to the "Start Here - Instructor Information Á Communication Policy" page in the Start Here module.
Optional: Assessing Prerequisite Skills or Creating a Mastery Path Module
Providing additional reference materials for pre-requsite skills
Setting up Canvas Mastery Paths: Mastery Paths allows you to customize learning experiences for students based on performance. You can enable Mastery Paths to automatically assign coursework based on the score achieved for a previous assignment. This provides multiple opportunities to show and achieve mastery in a course.
This module should be located inbetween the Start Here module and (First Tasks if used or) Module/Week 1.
Additional Tips when Structuring your Canvas course
Use one module per week with a plan for adjusting to an 8 week summer term, if applicable.
Encourage social interaction (e.g., Teams, Ed, Discussions). Be sure the tools you require are FERPA compliant (eg. Discord is not, while Slack can be, and MS Teams is.). Check with your CDM for any questions on FERPA friendly tools.
Map content and assessments to learning objectives. (There is a mapping document in the Instructor Resource Module in the Canvas Template)
Use detailed grading rubrics.
Establish clear course policies:
Late policies. (eg. grace periods, exceptions, late deductions, etc.)
Academic integrity (See the sample Academic Integrity Policy content for direct use in the course template).
Attendance/participation (If applicable).
Communication policy (eg. Office hours, prefered method of communication, response time expectations, etc).
AI usage policy (See the sample AI usage policy sample for direct use in the course template).