How-to
The syllabus tool in Canvas is meant to mimic paper syllabi that you would hand out in your course.
Updating the Syllabus Page
The syllabus tool in Canvas will provide a breakdown of assignments as well as a list of any activities you have created for the course along with their corresponding due dates. We recommend that you do not use a PDF copy of your syllabus in case anything has to change. To build an online syllabus:
- Navigate to your course site
- Click the Syllabus link on the left navigation menu
- Click the Edit button
- Make changes
- Click Update Syllabus
Best Practices
The quality of a syllabus is a fairly reliable indicator of the quality of teaching and learning that will take place in a course. The results of that effort can benefit the instructor as well as students. Creating or updating a syllabus for your course requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Learning Objectives: Make sure that the course includes both program objectives and course objectives. Course objectives should be clear and concise. What is it that you want students to know and be able to do by the end of the course? Make sure the course objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
- Course Overview: Provide an overview of the course, including its purpose, structure, and any prerequisites. This gives students a clear understanding of what to expect and helps them gauge their readiness for the course.
- Detailed Schedule: Create a schedule outlining assignments and due dates. Be realistic about the time needed for each topic and allocate sufficient time for student activities and assessments. This happens automatically in Canvas when you add due dates to activities and pages.
- Assessment Methods: Clearly outline how students will be assessed, including types of assessments (e.g., exams, papers, projects, etc.) and weightings. Ensure that assessments align with the course objectives and provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in various ways.
- Policies and Expectations: Clearly communicate course policies and expectations regarding attendance, participation, late assignments, academic integrity, and any other relevant matters. Make sure students understand what is expected of them and the consequences of not meeting expectations.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Be flexible and willing to adapt the syllabus as needed based on student feedback, changes in course content or objectives, or unforeseen circumstances. Communicate any changes clearly and in a timely manner to students. Please notify EDI if you make syllabus adjustments in your live course so that we can ensure they make it into courses in future terms.