Beginning of Semester Reminders and Tips

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Welcome to the start of a new semester! Today we’re going be chatting about some tips and reminders to make the first week (and the rest of the semester) easier. We know there’s a big chunk of time between semester starts, so it’s easy for some of these things to slip your memory.   

Combining Canvas sections  

You may be teaching multiple sections of the same course but want to combine all your students into one section so you have a single place to work on the course. Canvas makes it simple to combine those multiple sections into one. A brief note: you’ll need to combine them before students submit any work. Check out this Knowledge Base article to get started.   

Using the autosyllabus 

Cedarville uses an “autosyllabus” – a syllabus template that’s pre-loaded into each of your sections. This syllabus has some sections pre-filled, but there are others where you’ll need to add  the necessary information. If you’ve overridden the autosyllabus, it’s easy to get it reinstated in your course. Delete all the content from the syllabus page in your course, then email techhelp@cedarville.edu and request the autosyllabus be re-added (remember to include the course, section, and semester in your email).  

Check out “How Do I Transfer my Course with the Canvas Syllabus Template?” for all the information you need to bring over your course content and preserve the autosyllabus.  

Easy-to-access resources – Teaching at CU Course  

The Teaching at CU course makes it easy to find the info you’re looking for. Check out the course for tips and strategies for using Canvas features (such as announcements), Microsoft Teams and Kaltura, and other technology (such as the various pieces of tech in the classrooms) in your course.   

Getting help when you need it  

We have a lot of ways for you to get the support you need.   

• You have access to 24/7 Canvas support (check out the “Help” menu in Canvas for text chat; call x7905 option 1 for phone support).  
• IT can help if you run into log-in issues or problems with technology (techhelp@cedarville.edu; x7905).  
• And we in the CTL are happy to help, especially with any questions about course strategy and effectively using technology (ctl@cedarville.edu).   

For more reminders and tips, check out other posts in our “beginning of semester” tag. If you have any questions, suggestions for topics to be covered, or experiences you’d like to share, leave a comment below or email us at ctl@cedarville.edu. We’d love to hear from you!   

Editor’s Note: last published August 16, 2024.