Start of Term Reminders

Below is a list of essential reminders for faculty for the start-of-term. For a more detailed checklist, see Canvas Start-of-Term Checklists

Import existing content or course template

Prior to the start of term, instructors can either import existing content from a past course or import a course template from Commons. Either method will dramatically speed up the course development process. If you'd like ITT to import your course(s), please use this import request form.

  1. Import Existing Content: Instructors can copy a past course into a new course shell with the options to choose exactly what existing content to bring over. See instructions on how to copy a Canvas course into a new course shell.

  2. Import Course Template: Instructors can import one of APU's course templates from Canvas Commons. These templates give instructors an organizational structure to work with as they build their course. See instructions on how to import course templates.

Enable Grading Scheme

A grading scheme defines a set of criteria that measures varying levels of achievement in a course (e.g., what percentage is an A, what constitutes passing, etc.). Instructors need to enable a grading scheme for their course so that their Gradebook is accurate. Moreover, if instructors don't enable their grading scheme, they will not be able to sync their grades to PeopleSoft at the end of the term. To enable a grading scheme, go to Settings and then Course Details. See instructions on how to enable a grading scheme for your course.

Publish Your Course

By default, Canvas courses are not automatically published at the beginning of the term. This feature gives instructors the opportunity to fine-tune their courses before making them available to students. Instructors must publish their courses before students can access them. The course status can be found on the right sidebar of the home screen (see below). Courses can be published and unpublished using the "Publish" button. See instructions on how to publish a course.

Merge/cross-list sections

Merging/cross-listing allows instructors to move section enrollments from individual courses and combine them into one course. This feature is helpful for instructors who teach several sections of the same course and only want to manage course data in one location. If you'd like ITT to merge two or more sections of a courses, please use this merge request form.