Wiki Page, Welcome to Canvas 101: Tips for Developing a Syllabus for an Online Course

Wiki Page
2016-04-25T09:32:42-06:00

The syllabus does not have to be limited to a document format. It could be a webpage with multimedia and links. In addition to the usual items found in a course syllabus, the syllabus for an online course should include:

Communication Procedures: Explain how to contact the facilitator; how to contact the other learners; use of announcements to post that week’s learning plan and reminders; using email for private matters; using the help forum for other questions; how quickly they can expect a response;

Assignments: process for submitting work/files, accepted file formats, the instructor’s role in the discussions (when you will comment) when you will read, where, how quickly and how often they can expect feedback; makeup work procedures;

Assessments: describe the assessment for the course, if there will be any face-to-face proctored tests, how many “tests” can be expected, etc

Troubleshooting: Forgotten passwords, course unavailable, other technical issues

Required Apps: Software needed; apps that they need accounts for;

Schedule: Pace of course is defined (self-paced or set pace), can they work ahead; routine is established, estimated learner work load (6 hours per week); dates of any face-to-face meetings or online synchronous meetings;

Policies: Define and explain consequences for plagiarism, not following the code of conduct/net etiquette, assignments not turned in, lack of participation/attendance, etc.

Tips for Success: These might include: schedule a time every week day to visit the course and complete work, check email every day, use a calendar to schedule reminders, keep a copy of everything submitted, communicate with the instructor and ask questions.