{"id":2870,"date":"2026-10-21T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T14:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/?page_id=2870"},"modified":"2026-10-21T10:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T14:42:58","slug":"preparing-for-a-new-term","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/preparing-for-a-new-term\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for a New Term"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use this checklist to get your Canvas courses ready before your course begins. It works for full-semester courses and for courses in the first or second 8-week terms. CEITL is happy to help with any step. Just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/contact-us\/\">contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Canvas courses go live automatically at 12:00 a.m. on the first day of the course\u2019s term<\/strong>, and students can see them at that time. Start dates differ for full-semester courses, 8-week terms, and some partner programs, so check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/registrar\/academic-calendar\/\">academic calendar<\/a> for your course. Make sure your content is in place before your course goes live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-copy-content-into-your-new-course\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Copy Content into Your New Course<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">CEITL can copy content from a previous course into your new course shell for you. Submit your request as early as possible, especially before busy start dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To request a copy, email <a href=\"mailto:CEITL@citadel.edu\">CEITL@citadel.edu<\/a> with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Source course:<\/strong> course name and number, section number, and CRN if known<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Destination course:<\/strong> course name and number, section number, and CRN if known<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Content to copy:<\/strong> for example, the entire course or specific modules<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Copying from another instructor\u2019s course?<\/strong> Get their written permission and forward it to us by email. We can\u2019t share content without the original owner\u2019s consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prefer to copy content yourself? See <a href=\"https:\/\/community.instructure.com\/en\/kb\/articles\/660727-how-do-i-copy-content-from-another-canvas-course-using-the-course-import-tool\">How do I copy content from another Canvas course using the Course Import tool?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-post-your-syllabus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post Your Syllabus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Post your syllabus on the Syllabus page in Canvas. Use the accessible syllabus template in your course shell, since syllabi from earlier terms may not meet current accessibility standards. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/syllabus-design\/\">Syllabus Design<\/a> for step-by-step guidance, or <a href=\"https:\/\/community.instructure.com\/en\/kb\/articles\/662922-how-do-i-upload-a-document-in-the-rich-content-editor\">How do I upload a document in the Rich Content Editor?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-personalize-your-generative-ai-statement\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personalize Your Generative AI Statement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personalize the generative AI statement in both your syllabus and the Generative AI Statement page in your course\u2019s Start Here module, and make sure they match. Whether you prohibit, limit, or integrate AI, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/teaching-in-the-age-of-ai\/\">Teaching in the Age of AI<\/a> for help deciding and explaining your approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-set-up-your-gradebook\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Set Up Your Gradebook<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-match-your-syllabus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Match Your Syllabus<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure your grading scale and assignment weights in Canvas match your syllabus. See <a href=\"https:\/\/community.instructure.com\/en\/kb\/articles\/660669-how-do-i-weight-the-final-course-grade-based-on-assignment-groups\">How do I weight the final course grade based on assignment groups?<\/a> CEITL is happy to double-check your setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"h-save-time-with-gradebook-settings\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Save Time with Gradebook Settings<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"h-move-total-grades-next-to-student-names\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Move total grades next to student names<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <strong>Grades<\/strong> in your course menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scroll to the far right to find the <strong>Total<\/strong> column.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the three vertical dots on the Total column header.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select <strong>Move to Front<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"h-sort-assignments-by-due-date\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sort assignments by due date<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click the <strong>Settings<\/strong> (gear) icon in the top right corner of the Gradebook.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the <strong>View Options<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under <strong>Arrange By<\/strong>, choose <strong>Due Date &#8211; Oldest to Newest<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Apply Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"h-hide-unpublished-assignments\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hide unpublished assignments<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click the <strong>Settings<\/strong> (gear) icon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the <strong>View Options<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uncheck <strong>Unpublished Assignments<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Apply Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h5 id=\"h-automatically-enter-zeros-for-missing-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Automatically enter zeros for missing work<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click the <strong>Settings<\/strong> (gear) icon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the <strong>Late Policies<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check <strong>Automatically apply grade for missing submissions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the grade to <strong>0%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Apply Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Canvas enters a zero once the due date passes. If a student submits late, Canvas replaces the zero with the new grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-organize-your-canvas-dashboard\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Organize Your Canvas Dashboard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nickname your courses<\/strong> so they\u2019re easier to find. Only you see nicknames. See <a href=\"https:\/\/community.instructure.com\/en\/kb\/articles\/662815-how-do-i-view-my-courses-in-the-card-view-dashboard\">How do I view my courses in the Card View Dashboard?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Favorite your current courses<\/strong> so only they appear on your Dashboard. Older courses are still under <strong>All Courses<\/strong>. See <a href=\"https:\/\/community.instructure.com\/en\/kb\/articles\/662810-how-do-i-customize-my-courses-list\">How do I customize my Courses list?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-check-your-course-before-it-goes-live\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check Your Course Before It Goes Live<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Publish what students need.<\/strong> Check that modules, pages, and assignments for the first weeks are published.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check due dates.<\/strong> Update dates copied from a previous term. If you\u2019re moving a course between a full semester and an 8-week term, adjust the pacing and workload too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Attach rubrics.<\/strong> Make sure each graded assignment has a rubric or clear grading criteria. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/assessment-grading-and-rubrics\/\">Assessment, Grading, and Rubrics<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Set up LockDown Browser.<\/strong> Turn it on for any online quiz or exam where AI and other resources aren\u2019t allowed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check accessibility.<\/strong> Run UDOIT to find and fix accessibility issues. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/accessible-canvas-content\/\">Accessible Canvas Content<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test links.<\/strong> Make sure links to outside resources and videos still work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use Student View.<\/strong> Preview your course the way students will see it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-plan-your-first-week\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan Your First Week<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first week sets the tone for the whole course, and in an 8-week term, it\u2019s an even bigger share of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Welcome students.<\/strong> Post a welcome announcement and an introduction to yourself in Canvas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Explain how the course works.<\/strong> Walk through the syllabus, the Canvas layout, and how students will be graded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Set expectations for AI.<\/strong> Explain your generative AI expectations and why they matter for learning in your course.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get students talking.<\/strong> Use a short activity so students start interacting with you, with each other, and with the content. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/active-learning-techniques-2\/\">Active Learning Techniques<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Find out what students know.<\/strong> A short, ungraded background knowledge check helps you plan. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/evidence-based-teaching-practices\/\">Evidence-Based Teaching Practices<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-help-students-find-your-course\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Help Students Find Your Course<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students can\u2019t see a course until 12:00 a.m. on the first day of its term. After that, students who can\u2019t find a course can check <strong>Courses<\/strong>, then <strong>All Courses<\/strong>, in Canvas. Point students to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/canvas-for-students\/\">Student Help<\/a> for step-by-step directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have a question? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/contact-us\/\">Contact CEITL<\/a> by phone, email, or in person in Bond Hall, Room 363.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Use this checklist to get your Canvas courses ready before your course begins. It works for full-semester courses and for courses in the first or second 8-week terms. CEITL is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2870","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Preparing for a New Term - Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and Learning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.citadel.edu\/ceitl\/preparing-for-a-new-term\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Preparing for a New Term\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Use this checklist to get your Canvas courses ready before your course begins. 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