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Getting Started

In this section we answer questions you may have about getting started with your Canvas course design for the new term.��

• What are the minimum expectations for all DU Canvas courses?

  Check out our OTL blog ��that highlights the ways in which faculty could approach the minimum requirements for a Canvas container.��

• How do I import content from a previous Canvas course to a new course container?

  Visit timestamp 1:11 in to see just how easy it can be to import existing course content.

  This provides step-by-step instructions.

• How can I use a template to set up my Canvas course?

  The OTL has two official templates you can use to design your Canvas courses: The OTL Advanced Canvas Template and the OTL Basic Canvas Template. You can download either template from the .

  The can be customized for either face-to-face (F2F) or online (synchronous and asynchronous) delivery, and contains templates for the:

  • Syllabus
  • Home page
  • Weekly modules
  • Assignments
  • Discussions
  • And more!

  The also contains templates for the syllabus and home page but is more streamlined, focusing on essential course elements, such as assignments and instructional materials.

  The blog post offers a comparison chart that explains in more detail the differences of both.

• How do I set up my syllabus?

  Visit the Canvas Community Guide to learn more about the functions and capability of Canvas’s syllabus tool.��

  If you use one of the OTL’s Canvas Templates, you can move the content of your syllabus to the syllabus template pages.

  Whether or not you use an OTL Template, using the Canvas syllabus tool ensures your syllabi are accessible to screen readers. If you still prefer uploading your syllabus to Canvas as a file (Word, PDF, Pages, etc.), to screen readers.

• Does the OTL have syllabus statements I can use or adapt?

  Yes! On the OTL’s page, we have compiled a variety of sample syllabus statements that address issues such as:

  • Audiovisual recordings
  • Canvas use
  • Students with medical issues and/or disabilities
  • Inclusive learning environments
• When should I publish my Canvas course for students?

  While there is no university-wide deadline for publishing your Canvas course, students appreciate being able to access course material in advance, especially the syllabus. Consider publishing your Canvas course 5-7 days before the start of the quarter.

  Bear in mind that once you publish a course, you can keep individual pages, assignments, discussions, media, and even whole modules unpublished if you want to continue working on them before releasing them to students.

Canvas Design and Functionality

Explore the functionality of course design options in Canvas through our commonly asked questions below.��

• What are some of the ways I can share learning materials?

  Both OTL Canvas Templates include a “Readings and Instructional Materials” template page. These template pages can be used to compile lists and links to all the required and relevant course materials.

  You can also share files with your students using Canvas’s Files function, which you can learn more about .

  The Microsoft Office suite, specifically OneDrive and Teams, also have robust file sharing capabilities. Log in with your DU credentials to with more information about file sharing via Office 365.

• How do I set up assignments?

  If you’ve never created an assignment in Canvas before, it’s a good idea to visit the Canvas’s Instructor Guide section on , which addresses everything from assignment types, grouping, points, and more.

  Many assignments benefit from using rubrics. A well-designed rubric clearly spells out expectations for students, and streamlines the grading process for instructors. You can visit the OTL’s page for further information and best practices.

  Assignments can also be created and administered through Kaltura, DU’s video management system. offers examples of video assignments that instructors have created using Kaltura.

• How do I administer exams or quizzes?

  There are a variety of ways to administer and facilitate exams through Canvas. Currently, you can create exams using either Classic Quizzes or New Quizzes. compares the features of Classic and New Quizzes.

  gives an overview of the pedagogical uses of New Quizzes.

  If you need to administer exams and want to reduce the opportunities for cheating, you might consider using , a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas. Respondus Monitor is a related feature that builds upon the LockDown Browser integration, and uses a student’s webcam and video analytics to hinder cheating during non-proctored exams. Before using Respondus Monitor, though, you should familiarize yourself with its drawbacks, some of which are outlined in the OTL’s blog post .

  You can also administer quizzes through Kaltura, DU’s video management system. Visit for instructions about creating Kaltura video quizzes.

• How do I facilitate a discussion on Canvas?

  You can facilitate discussion forums among an entire class, or within smaller groups, using .

  Asynchronous online courses can use discussions to facilitate class discussions, group work, and more.

  Face-to-face (F2F) courses can be use also discussions. For example, an F2F course could create discussion forums where students either prep for or debrief in-class activities. In-class group activities can also continue online using Canvas’s feature.

  In order to be effective, discussions should feature clear prompts that pose a few specific questions that ask students to analyze, interpret, reflect on, and/or synthesize the subject matter of the course. Requiring students to respond to each other’s posts also ensures that discussions are productive and interactive. Instructors can facilitate productive discussions by chiming into the discussion board as well.

  Canvas allows users to respond within discussions using media, such as images, gifs, and audio and video recordings.

  If you’re interested in platforms outside of Canvas to facilitate online discussions, consider or .

• How does grading work in Canvas?

  ��The Canvas gradebook will automatically sync with any assignments in your course; this includes discussions, quizzes, and general assignments. When creating any of these in your course, be sure to carefully read the settings in the setup menu, as there are many options available.

  You will need to choose due dates, submission formats, points, or complete/incomplete, and number of allowed attempts. For more advanced Canvas users, you can also choose to embed a TurnItIn review, designate individual or group work, or implement peer reviews. To set up weighted grading in Canvas, utilize the steps in .

  Consult our blog post for more information about weighting assignments, co-constructing grades, portfolios, and other grading approaches.

Accessibility

The following information addresses common questions with accessibility and educational technology.��

• What do I need to know about supporting students with DSP accommodations?

  While the Disability Services Program (DSP) evaluates and determines reasonable accommodations associated with student disabilities and health conditions, faculty members are legally responsible for administering most of these accommodations within the classroom and beyond. Fortunately, the DSP office is here to support and facilitate this process. Call (303.871.3241), email (dsp@du.edu), or schedule to�� for DSP support.

  Here are additional asynchronous resources to learn more about supporting students with DSP accommodations:
• Which platform should I use to include close captioning in my videos?

  All video and audio files uploaded to Kaltura My Media within Canvas or DU MediaSpace will have an auto-generated closed caption file. As the video owner or editor, you can edit the auto-generated closed captions to improve accuracy. Captions should be 95% accurate to meet ADA accessibility standards.

  describes how to edit captions.

Pedagogical Questions

Here are a few commonly asked questions that may require some additional pedagogical decision making.��

• How should I navigate student absences?

  The use of Canvas helps facilitate increased access to materials for all students, but also is particularly helpful in combatting the effects of unplanned absences.��Check out our blog to learn more about your options for getting students caught up with course content after being absent.

• How do I communicate with my students?

  Whether you are teaching online or face-to-face, communicating with students is very important and should be done early and frequently. Be sure to set up structures that allow for easy updates and communicate expectations. Let students know how you plan to communicate with them. Will you be using traditional email or Canvas announcements? How will you let them know if due dates or activities have changed?

  Here are a few options for communicating with your students through Canvas:

  • ��
    • Canvas Email
    • Canvas Announcements
• How do I design a survey to collect mid-quarter/semester feedback?

  Check out our OTL blog post�� to learn more about the feedback cycle and how to design a helpful feedback survey in Canvas.��

• How do I pivot if I need to facilitate a class session from a distance?

  If you need to hold a lecture from a distance, there are synchronous (live/interactive) and asynchronous (pre-recorded) options for doing so. Both options allow you to show your screen or lecture slides.

  • Kaltura (asynchronous)
  • Zoom (synchronous)
  • Canvas (asynchronous)

Additional Resources

Additional commonly asked questions about resources across campus.��

• How do I make sure my textbooks and course materials are available at the bookstore?

  To request textbooks and course materials, visit the website.

  As with publishing your Canvas course, there is no university-wide deadline for when you need to submit your textbook orders. However, for reasons of accessibility, equity, and fairness, we recommend you submit your orders to the bookstore as soon as possible.

• How do I make sure all my Kaltura media transfers to a new Canvas container?

  We recommend using the built-in Kaltura Embed tools, which you can read about in . These tools help avoid the risk of videos not having the right permissions once they are copied from one course container to another.

  If you’re looking to move a set of playlists from one Canvas Media Gallery to another, check-out .

  As of March 23, 2022, all future Zoom Cloud video recordings will be transferred automatically to the Zoom host’s DU MediaSpace and DU Canvas My Media. Read to learn more about this integration.

• I used to share and store media through CourseMedia. What programs can I use now that CourseMedia has been retired?

  For images: the database provides access to 1.6 million images, and includes a variety of pedagogically engaging features. Check out the following resources to learn more about how (and why) to use ArtSTOR:

  • OTL Blog:
  • OTL Knowledge Base:

  For other media: DU’s library has access to dozens of streaming media databases, including 45 databases for streaming video alone. Check out the following resources to learn more about how (and why) to use these databases:

  • OTL Blog:
• What are some of the library resources that are available?

  DU’s library offers a rich collection of books, journals, primary and secondary sources, and media. The following are a few of the resources the library provides faculty.��

  • Catalog and Databases

  Over five million items are available through the library’s main collections. You can search these collections through the library’s . The library also subscribes to across a variety of disciplines.

  • Reserves

  Email reserve@du.edu for either new reserves or reactivating previous reserves.

  If you are reactivating previous reserves, please include the course number, code, and quarter in which your reserves were last used, as well as the course number, code, and quarter for which you wish them to be reactivated.

  Reserves can take up to three weeks to process, so get your requests in as soon as possible.

  • Research Guides

  DU’s librarians have put together across dozens of disciplines. If you are interested in creating a research guide for one of your courses, reach out to your liaison librarian.

  • Liaison librarians

  Liaison librarians, also known as subject matter librarians, specialize in specific subjects and can assist you with locating resources for your courses, developing research guides, workshops for your students, and more. Click to learn more about the liaison librarian for your department.

• Additional DU Resources
  • need to go through IT
    • link to
    • IT phone number – 303-871-4700
  • Canvas 24/7 Support for Faculty – 833-291-3240
  • Visit our��for all Zoom questions

Need more assistance? Our Instructional Designers are ready to help, please feel free to��

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• Check out our����for in-depth information about��Canvas,��Planning,��Development��and��Delivery Methods��for your course.