大发

password iconPASSWORD
MANAGEMENT
Your  Account:
password iconPASSWORD
MANAGEMENT
Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS)

Getting Started Guide

3 Steps to Getting Started

NOTE: This guide is for instructors.

  1. Login and set-up your Cougar Courses (CC) account
    Login to CC at .

    Once in CC, select Account from the global navigation menu on the left and select each of the options to set up your account:
      • (add image and biography)
      • (check out the )
      • (set your notification preferences)

  2. Customize the course list on your Dashboard
    You might not see a particular course on your Dashboard, but don't worry, that doesn't mean it is gone! To see all your courses, select Courses from the left global navigation menu and then All Courses at the top.

    To that display in your Dashboard, select the star next to each course name that you鈥檇 like to display. Unselect the star to remove a course from your Dashboard. We recommend using to identify your courses, e.g., COMM 100 TR 9am. Nicknames are only visible to you. FYI students can do this, too!

    If you have multiple sections of the same course, you can cross-list your courses, which combines the enrollments into one course shell. One course shell means only needing to manage content in one place. But don't worry, you can easily assign different due dates and materials to your different sections. The only caveat is that cross-listing needs to be done before you add content and publish your sections. .

  3. Only if needed: create a development course
    If you do not have access to your upcoming courses yet (remember, be sure to check your All Courses page first!) you can create development courses to begin adding content and designing your courses. You can create as many development courses as you would like. To create, on your Dashboard click on the "Start a New Course" button on the right hand side. Give your development course a name and click "Create." Then proceed with the steps below.

    Don't forget, once you have access to your official courses you can easily into the official course.
Feeling overwhelmed?
Check out our Simple Quick Start Guide first.

10 Steps to Getting your Course Ready

  1. Make a decision about how you will build your course:
    1. Design your course using one of the 大发 templates
      This option helps to facilitate building and designing modules and lessons quickly. This can be done in addition to reusing past content or building from scratch. Check out the help guide on the templates for more information about them and how to bring them into your course. Once done, return here.
    2. Reuse content from a past course
      This allows you to utilize content and activities you have already created. This can be done in addition to using one of the templates above. Once you have decided which course content to reuse, into your new course container.
    3. Design your CC course from scratch
      This provides the opportunity to reflect on your course materials and design modules with learning activities that meet outcomes and promote collaboration, discovery, discussion, reflection, and problem solving utilizing the built-in tools. Of course this option is the most time intensive.

  2. Upload your Syllabus
    We recommend that you add your syllabus by going to on the course navigation menu. Click the Edit button in the upper right and paste the contents of your syllabus in the edit window. It鈥檚 also best practice to upload an accessible, printable version of your syllabus by adding the Word or PDF file to this resource.

  3. Add Assignments, Quizzes, and Discussions
    Click on Assignments on the course navigation to access the where you can update, manage, and and (gradebook categories). Click on to update, manage, and add classic quizzes, practice quizzes, surveys, and new quizzes. Click on to update, manage, and . 

  4. Add files
    to your course in order to link to them within Modules, Pages, Assignments, Quizzes, etc. Keep in mind there is a 1 GB maximum storage limit per course. Due to that, do not upload video files to your CC course. Instead upload them to Microsoft Stream/OneDrive, Youtube, Vimeo, etc. and link to them. To keep your Files tidy you can and .

  5. Organize content:
    1. If you are using a template: If you have not already done so, update the template provided pages and module items (use the checklist in the first module in the template). you are not using. Then, organize your content into your modules. If the items are already on the Modules page, you can . If they are not on the modules page yet, you can easily .
    2. If you are not using a template: Content can be organized by using or a combination of both. are recommended if you wish to structure (and/or control access) to your course materials by weeks, units, or topics in a guided learning experience. allow you to use images and links to resources within one area. In most cases, we see an effective combination of both where Modules create structure and Pages provide rich content linked within Modules. More on . Don't forget about the activities created in Step 3 and content added in Step 4! You will either or depending on how you have chosen to design your course.

  6. Create a Home Page
    1. If you are using a template: We have already created and set the front page for you! If you haven't yet done so, be sure to edit the front page to update with course-specific details.
    2. If you are not using a template: The default Home Page of your course displays the Recent Activity Dashboard. You can ; have the Syllabus be the Home Page; use Modules as the Home Page; or have the Assignments index be the Homepage. Whichever you choose, you must .

  7. Hide unused course navigation items
    Evaluate your and remove/hide items that are not in use or are accessed in other areas. We highly recommend hiding Files and Pages from students. Not only will this help keep the students' course navigation streamlined, it will ensure students view files/pages in the proper context and desired order.

  8. Only if needed: Import content into your official course container
    If you were working in a development course, before moving on to step 9 you must manually into your actual course container. If you were already working in your official course, you can skip this step.

  9. View course as a student
    When reviewing your course, be sure to . Then, use to experience your course as a student.

  10. Publish your course
    When you are ready for students to access the course, be sure to (keep in mind a course cannot be unpublished once students begin participating). It is also best practice to send out a welcome (and video!) inviting your students to the course. Keep in mind any announcements you post will not be sent out unless the course is published first.

Explore Further

Get the Canvas App

For Instructors

allows teachers to facilitate their courses on the go, both inside and outside the classroom. This app provides quick access to grading, communicating, and updating鈥攖hree of the most frequent course facilitation tasks for teachers through Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, and Quizzes.

Canvas Teacher is available for both and .

For Students

allows students to access their courses and groups using a mobile device. Students can submit assignments, participate in discussions, view grades and course materials. The app also provides access to course calendars, To Do items, notifications, and Conversations messages.

Canvas Student is available for both and .