8.8 Review And Update Syllabus

Note: Feel free to skip this page if you have already added the correct syllabus to your official Canvas course shell. If this is your first time posting your syllabus, please review the following guide for instructions on how to setup the Syllabus section within Canvas.

Setting up the syllabus section within a Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) for a new course involves several steps to ensure that the syllabus is accessible, comprehensive, and well-organized. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Steps to Set Up the Syllabus in Canvas

Navigate to the Syllabus: In your Canvas course, click on the "Syllabus" link in the left-hand navigation menu.

You have two main options for adding your syllabus content: directly typing or pasting it into Canvas, or uploading a file.

• Edit Syllabus Description: Click the "Edit" button in the right-hand sidebar to open the Rich Content Editor.
• Copy and Paste: You can copy the content from an existing document (e.g., Word doc) and paste it into the Rich Content Editor. You may need to reformat the text to ensure it looks correct.
• Create Original Content: Alternatively, you can type the syllabus content directly into the Rich Content Editor. This can include course descriptions, guidelines, weekly reminders, and other important information.
• Refer to the syllabus section within the SDCCD DE Toolkit for a syllabus that you can use

• Upload a File: In the Rich Content Editor, click on the "Files" tab, then "Upload a new file," and browse for your syllabus file (preferably a Word Doc for a cleaner look).
• Link the File: Once uploaded, a link to the syllabus file will appear in the Rich Content Editor. Click "Update Syllabus" to save the changes.
• Establish context: When uploading a syllabus to your course, ensure you provide context. Don’t simply post a link; highlight the importance of the syllabus and explain how students can download it. Clarify the course summary on the syllabus page, emphasizing the assignments and due dates so students understand their significance. Conclude with the instructor's communication policy. This approach ensures your syllabus is presented with clear and helpful context.

• Automatic Course Summary: Canvas automatically generates a Course Summary based on the assignments and calendar events you add to your course. This summary is displayed at the bottom of the syllabus page and helps students keep track of important dates.
• Disable Course Summary: If you prefer not to use the Course Summary, you can disable it by unchecking the "Show Course Summary" checkbox in the syllabus settings.

Make the Syllabus Public: You can choose to make your syllabus public so that people who aren't enrolled in your course can view it. This can be done by setting the syllabus to be the course home page or by sharing a link.

• Use Modules: Organize your course materials and activities in Canvas. Ensure this organization aligns with your syllabus and assignment schedule to help students navigate the course more easily.
• Regular Updates: Keep the syllabus updated with any changes to the course schedule or policies. This ensures that students always have the most current information

By following these steps, you can effectively set up the syllabus section in Canvas, providing students with a clear and accessible overview of the course requirements and schedule.

• How Do I Use The Syllabus As An Instructor? Links to an external site.
• How Do I Edit The Syllabus In a Course? Links to an external site.
• How Do I Upload a File to My Course? Links to an external site.