Course Support

Canvas Course Support


canvas support image

Individual Course Support from DFI

If you would like assistance setting up your Canvas course fill out our Canvas course support form and one of our Instructional Support Associates (ISAs) will contact you to assist. 

 

We can assist with:

  • Importing content from last fall
  • Utilizing one of the TC templates
  • Answering any questions you might have about adding content to your Canvas course
  • Enable/Integrate additional tool

Fill out our Canvas course support form

canvas support faculty image

Do-It-Yourself

This simple 10-step Canvas Quickstart guide is a great resource for faculty who would like to set up Canvas courses on their own. ​​​​​​ 

Faculty Canvas Quickstart Guide

ABOUT OUR TEMPLATES

At DFI we have several Canvas course templates to choose from. Take a look at our template examples below to learn more.


Level 1: Universal template

This easy-to-use version of the template provides a TC-branded look and feel for your course homepage and includes a Tech Orientation module to help familiarize students with the learning platform and resources supporting their learning. Starting from Fall 2022, all TC courses are pre-populated with the Universal Template. Follow this instruction to enable the template in your course site.

Demo  

Templates Features:

Syllabus

  • Embed Syllabus
  • Upload pdf

Course Content

  • Import content from existing courses
  • Add new materials to modules (pages, files, assignments, quizzes, discussion forums) 
  • Upload course files
  • Add course readings
Communications
  • Send announcements
  • Set-up Zoom meetings within Canvas
Grading
  • Access gradebook
  • Weight grades

Development timeline:

Schedule / request time Any time
Support needed OYO
Est. Time to build new courses, upgrade to a more advanced template, or make major content revisions 2 hours OYO
Step Description

1

Find your Canvas course site

2

Add your Syllabus (pick one of two ways):

3

Add course content

4

Check course navigation links

Note: Select only those items that you are using

5

Set up Zoom meetings within Canvas

6

Set up calendar and office hours

7

Add reading materials for your course

8

Publish course site

9

Add an announcement for your students

10

Open a Media Services Request to request Media Service assistance for your first class

Do a little more...

Step  Description

11

Add an image for the course card

12

Organize your assignments with Assignment Groups

13

Set personal notification preferences

14

Weight final grade by assignment type and create grade posting policies.

15

Access the Gradebook to ensure all required assignments and point values are listed.

16

Test out course site on the Canvas mobile app

 

Level 2: Entry level

This version is similar to Level 1 with the addition of a placeholder for the instructor's contact information, module thumbnails, and useful links to get support. To enable the template in your course site, contact DFI and we can assist you.

Demo  

Templates Features:

Syllabus

  • Embed Syllabus
  • Upload pdf

Front Page (Static Image Home Page)

  • Course image
  • Faculty contact information
  • Module thumbnails

Course Content

  • Import content from existing courses
  • Add new materials to modules (pages, files, assignments, quizzes, discussion forums) 
  • Upload course files
  • Add course readings
Communications
  • Send announcements
  • Set-up Zoom meetings within Canvas
Grading
  • Access gradebook
  • Weight grades

Development timeline:

Schedule / request time 2 weeks before the semester starts

Support needed

OYO
Est. Time to build new courses, upgrade to a more advanced template, or make major content revisions 5 hours OYO

 

Step Description

1

Find your Canvas course site

2

Add your Syllabus (pick one of two ways):

3

Populate home page

3

Add course content

4

Check course navigation links

Note: Select only those items that you are using

5

Set up Zoom meetingswithin Canvas

6

Set up calendar and office hours

7

Add reading materials for your course

8

Publish course site

9

Add an announcementfor your students

10

Open a Media Services Request to request Media Service assistance for your first class

Do a little more...

Step  Description

11

Add an image for the course card

12

Organize your assignments with Assignment Groups

13

Set personal notification preferences

14

Weight final grade by assignment type and create grade posting policies.

15

Access the Gradebook to ensure all required assignments and point values are listed.

16

Test out course site on the Canvas mobile app

Level 3: Intermediate level

Level 3 includes all features of Level 2 yet the TC static banner is replaced with the Welcome presentation/sliding banner at the top and a navigation bar is added at the bottom to provide quick access to modules. To enable the template in your course site, contact DFI and we can assist you.

Demo  

Templates Features:

Syllabus

  • Embed Syllabus
  • Upload pdf

Front Page (Interactive Banner Home Page)

  • Course image
  • Course video
  • Faculty bio
  • Faculty contact information
  • Course schedule
  • Class location and meeting time
  • Getting started section
  • Module thumbnails

Course Content

  • Import content from existing courses
  • Add new materials to modules (pages, files, assignments, quizzes, discussion forums) 
  • Upload course files
  • Add course readings
Communications
  • Send announcements
  • Set-up Zoom meetings within Canvas
Grading
  • Access gradebook
  • Weight grades

Development timeline:

Schedule / request time

  • 3 weeks before the start of the semester

Support needed

  • DFI consultation / collaboration required
Est. Time to build new courses, upgrade to a more advanced template, or make major content revisions
  • 15-20 hours
  • 10 hours DFI building shell and brainstorming
  • 10 hours OYO populating course
Step Description

1

Request template

2

Find your Canvas course site

3

Add your Syllabus (pick one of two ways):

4

Populate home page:

5

Add course content:

6

Check course navigation links

Note: Select only those items that you are using

7

Set up Zoom meetings within Canvas

8

Set up calendar and office hours

9

Add reading materials for your course

10

Publish course site

11

Add an announcement for your students

12

Open a Media Services Request to request Media Service assistance for your first class

Do a little more...

Step  Description

13

Add an image for the course card

14

Organize your assignments with Assignment Groups

15

Set personal notification preferences

16

Weight final grade by assignment type and create grade posting policies.

17

Access the Gradebook to ensure all required assignments and point values are listed.

18

Test out course site on the Canvas mobile app

 

Level 4: Online Course Template

This template is used for online course sites.

This is the most advanced level which has all features of Level 3 yet the module thumbnails open a module overview page laying out all learning activities and materials. To enable the template in your course site, contact DFI and we can assist you.

Demo  

Templates Features:

Syllabus

  • Embed Syllabus
  • Upload pdf

Front Page (Interactive Banner Home Page)

  • Course image
  • Course video
  • Faculty bio
  • Faculty contact information
  • Course schedule
  • Class location and meeting time
  • Getting started section
  • Module thumbnails

Course Content

  • Import content from existing courses
  • Add new materials to modules (pages, files, assignments, quizzes, discussion forums) 
  • Upload course files
  • Add course readings
  • Overview pages
Communications
  • Send announcements
  • Set-up Zoom meetings within Canvas
Grading
  • Access gradebook
  • Weight grades

 

Development timeline:

Schedule / request time

  • This requires consultation with DFI to determine how long it will take to build.

Support needed

  • DFI consultation / collaboration required
Est. Time to build new courses, upgrade to a more advanced template, or make major content revisions
  • 30-40 hours
  • 20 hours DFI building shell and brainstorming
  • 20 hours OYO populating course

Step Description

1

Request template

2

Find your Canvas course site

3

Add your Syllabus (pick one of two ways):

4

Populate home page:

5

Add course content:

6

Check course navigation links

Note: Select only those items that you are using

7

Set up Zoom meetings within Canvas

8

Set up calendar and office hours

9

Add reading materials for your course

10

Publish course site

11

Add an announcement for your students

12

Open a Media Services Request to request Media Service assistance for your first class

Do a little more...

Step  Description

13

Add an image for the course card

14

Organize your assignments with Assignment Groups

15

Set personal notification preferences

16

Weight final grade by assignment type and create grade posting policies.

17

Access the Gradebook to ensure all required assignments and point values are listed.

18

Test out course site on the Canvas mobile app

 

Instructional Support of TC Staff Development


DFI offers instructional support for administrative offices and departments looking to create effective and engaging training programs and courses for members of the TC community. Our team can assist with all aspects of course development, including project planning, course design, content development, and technology integration, ensuring that your programs align with TC standards and are inclusive, effective, and engaging. To inquire about our support and services, please follow the guidelines below to submit your request.

While we are committed to providing the highest level of assistance possible, the specific scope of our involvement will depend on various factors such as ongoing projects, team capacity, and existing commitments. We strive to accommodate all inquiries to the best of our ability, and our team will work closely with you to discuss and tailor our support to align with your needs and objectives within the constraints of our available resources.

Services


Course Design

Our instructional designers can assist at any stage of the development process. Whether you're just starting out and need help brainstorming ideas, refining your vision, and creating a course outline, or if you're further along in the process and require assistance with project planning and course development, we can help.

Content Development

Our instructional designers can consult and support with making your instructional content more visually appealing, interactive, and engaging for your audience. In the initial consultation, we can share examples with the required time and effort to inform your decisions about how you want to proceed.

Technology Integration

Our team can provide consulting and assistance with integrating innovative and effective technology tools that are available at TC, to enhance the delivery and learning experience of your program. If a new tool is necessary, we'll liaise with TCIT, OASID, and OGC to vet the tool, ensuring that it meets TC's high standards for data security, privacy, and accessibility.

Mara Danoff operating a camera with teleprompter in Macy Studio A

Media Production

Our Media Team is equipped to support you to create high-quality audio and video assets for your program.

Course Highlights


Process


The process begins with a request for support on the DFI website. Please choose General Inquiry to include a brief description of the project, the intended audience, and what you are looking to get help with.

Once the request is received, our team should reach out to you to schedule an initial consultation within 2 business days to discuss the scope of the project, the intended audience, the desired outcomes, and the project timeline. During this consultation, our team will also assess if the project aligns with DFI's mission and the resources available to determine to what extent we can support the project.

After the initial consultation, our team will develop a project proposal that outlines the scope of the project, the timeline, the resources required, and what we can support.

The project proposal will be reviewed and discussed by the relevant stakeholders, such as the Office of the Provost, the department chair, or the program director. Once the proposal is approved, the instructional design team should proceed to the design and development phase.

During the design and development phase, the instructional design team should work closely with the project stakeholders to create the learning objectives, the content outline, the instructional materials, and the assessment tools. The team should also incorporate any feedback from the stakeholders and conduct formative evaluations to ensure the effectiveness of the design.

After the design and development phase, the instructional design team should assist with the implementation of the training program or course. The team should also conduct summative evaluations to measure the effectiveness of the design and identify areas for improvement.

Submit a request to get started. Please choose General Inquiry category and include a brief description of the project, the intended audience, and what you are looking to get help with.

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