Course Design

1. Check with your department/colleagues to see if they use a syllabus template
2. If not, fill in this accessible syllabus template (Google Doc).
3. Add personal touches to your syllabus to engage students.
4. Consider how the tone of the syllabus can affect students.

Sample syllabi(opens in new window)

How to create an engaging syllabus (Google Slide)

1. Make sure you have access to your course(s) in Canvas.
2. Customize the Chico State Canvas  template in a way that fits your course’s needs (unless your department has chosen a consistent template for all courses in that program).
3. Design the course welcome page, include the course name and description, the instructor’s contact information, and any useful information about requirements for your course.
4. Consider adding a welcome/navigation video to help students access your course easily.

Training (this link will enroll you in the course): Getting Started with Canvas(opens in new window)

Canvas Knowledge Base

Canvas Instructor Guides & Videos

Technology & Learning Program (for support with Canvas) 

Sample welcome video script (Google Doc)

1. Check with your department to see if your course has established learning outcomes (including GE requirements).
2. If not, establish learning outcomes appropriate for your course level (introductory: 100-200 courses, or more advanced: 300-400 and graduate courses).
3. Write learning outcomes that can be measured and align them with methods to assess student learning.
4. Align the course learning outcomes with program learning outcomes.

Developing Student Learning Outcomes 

Teaching Guide: Purposeful Planning

1. Explore examples of course design.
2. Organize the course materials by weeks or learning modules, each identified by a specific topic and learning goals.
3. Organize each learning module in a consistent way, to help students navigate your course

Teaching Guide: Course Mapping

Organize Content by Using Modules | Stanford's Teaching with Canvas Course(opens in new window)

1. Include information about any technical support needed for your course.
2. Include information about student accommodations and the accessible resource center (ARC).
3. Find a Resource or Service and identify specific resources that can help students in your course (writing support, basic needs, etc.).

EDI Resources for Students

Student Resources and Services

Learning Technologies