ECU Canvas Semester Essentials

This guide was created by Training Services Department at Instructure and has been modified by the ECU Canvas support team.

Start of Semester

Cross-list Courses – Cross-listing allows you to merge & teach sections of the same course from one site.
Course Modules – Modules are the best way to organize/present content.
Add Content to Modules – Adding files, pages, assignments, discussions, & quizzes to modules.
Add Syllabus – Add the syllabus to your course.
- Tip: Add it to the Course Syllabus tool, as a File link, on a Course Page, etc.
Customize Course Detail Settings – Be aware of options in Course Details.
- Tip: Add it to the Course Syllabus tool, as a File link, on a Course Page, etc.
Simplify Course Navigation – Hide unused course navigation links.
- Tip: Fewer links is better.
Publish Course and Content – Check visibility of files, pages and modules.
- Tip: Unpublish content you don’t want students to view. Use Student View to verify content visibility
Choose Home Page – Select a Home Page that fits your course. The Home Page can be changed at any time.
- Tip: Use visuals to engage students & incorporate important information.
Notification Preferences – To ensure you receive communication, set your Notification Preferences and contact method.
- Tip: Remind & show students how to set their preferences.
Enable Course Materials – To ensure students can access course textbooks, ensure “Course Materials” is enabled on the Course Navigation Menu.

Verify Grades (If Applicable) – Verify grades if Canvas is the gradebook of record. Changes will affect final grades.
- Tip: Verify that the Gradebook matches the grading policy.
- Tip: Turn missing entries to zeros through the late policy options.
- Tip: Check out more about Assignment Groups if using weighted grading categories.

Learning Technologies Implementation & Support
Updated: 8/20/2021