Canvas - 10-Step Semester Start Checklist for Instructors

This article is a checklist of critical items to ensure your course is ready for student access at the start of a new term at the University of Oklahoma. Select the links for helpful Canvas articles for instructors containing the most recent documentation which include detailed instructions, annotated images, and guiding videos.

To get started, log into Canvas at canvas.ou.edu with your OU credentials.  If you need help at any time with Canvas, click the HELP button on the left-side global navigation menu inside Canvas and utilize one of the support options available such as signing up for a one-on-one consultation with the Learning Spaces team.

10-Step Semester Start Checklist for Instructors

1. If applicable, import from other Canvas courses: You may need to use the Course Import Tool to copy content from another Canvas course, such as a previous semester or a sandbox course.

2. Adjust Course Navigation: It is best to adjust the course navigation to something simpler by removing tools that the students will not use or should not access to such as Files and Pages.

   • Suggested navigation items and order: home, announcements, modules, assignments, LockDown browser (if applicable), grades, and people.

   • NOTE: Health Campus should ensure the Simple Syllabus tool is added to course navigation.

3. Add your Course Syllabus to Modules: Create modules to add a logical structure to your course then add the updated syllabus to Modules in an accessible PDF or Word format. This enables students to easily view and download the syllabus. 

   • Make sure the document includes headings, alt text for images, and a logical reading order for screen readers. For more information about accessibility, read about best practices for making Word documents accessible or read about how to create and verify PDF accessibility.

   • NOTE: Health Campus courses will utilize Simple Syllabus and not manually upload a syllabus file.

4. Create/Update Assignments: Creating assignments, creating discussions, and creating quizzes builds the gradebook in your Canvas course. Once the Assignments are built, link them in Modules.

   • If you use weighted grading categories for your final grade calculations, you will want to add Assignment Groups to the Assignments Index Page and assign weights to each Assignment Group.

   • If you imported content from a previous semester, you can bulk update due dates and availability dates.

5. Set up Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB): If you are using LDB on quizzes to reinforce academic integrity, you will need to add the LockDown Browser tool to your course navigation then enable LDB on each quiz. For more information, visit the LockDown Browser knowledge base article.

   • Before every LDB–enabled exam, it’s best practice for instructors to encourage students to update and test their device using an LDB-enabled practice quiz with unlimited attempts, and to review the LockDown Browser dashboard to confirm settings are correct and there are no “Fix It” errors.

6. Review Grades Set Up: Check if all students (rows) and graded assignments (column) appear on the Gradebook, arrange assignment columns, set up a grade posting policy to automatically or manually release grades.

   • To import final grades from Canvas, enable a grading scheme under the course Settings.

   • For easier management, filter Gradebook rows and columns.

7. Adjust Course Settings: Visit the course Settings to set a course image, change participation dates, show recent announcements on the home page, validate course links, and more.

8. Review Course in Student View: Use student view to experience your course from a student perspective to test content visibility and assignments.

9. Publish Course and Content: First, check if the modules and content are published. When your course is ready, publish your course.

   • If a Module is not published but items inside it are, students will not be able to see them.

   • If you want students to access your course before the official first day of a semester, publish your course and update the course start date.

10. Add a Welcome Announcement: After your course is published, post an announcement that welcomes students, outlines clear first steps, and shares essential resources such as the syllabus and where to find help. This starts the semester on a positive tone, sets expectation, and orients your students about your course before the first day of class.

    • Insert course links to guide students to key parts of your course.

    • It is recommended to remind students to update their Canvas email notifications, so they do not miss out on announcements or inbox (conversation) messages.