Please follow along with this guide:

A. Navigation & Course Setup

1. Syllabus Management with Simple Syllabus

1.1 Using Simple Syllabus in Canvas

Why use it: Ensures consistent formatting, compliance with institutional requirements, and centralized access for students.

Click Simple Syllabus in your Canvas course navigation.
Complete editable sections (Instructor Info, Schedule, Policies, etc.).
Institutional sections are preloaded and locked.
Add textbook info, assignments, and grading structure.
Click Publish.

1.2 Simple Syllabus Overview

Dynamic, centralized syllabus management
Searchable for departments and accreditors
Integrates required college policies (Title IX, ADA, Academic Integrity, etc.)

1.3 Enable Simple Syllabus

Go to Settings → Navigation.
Drag Simple Syllabus into active navigation.
Click Save.

2. Hosting Live Class Sessions with TechConnect Zoom

2.1 Overview

Why use it: Seamless synchronous sessions with recordings and attendance integrated in Canvas.

2.2 Enable TechConnect Zoom

Go to Settings → Navigation.
Drag TechConnect Zoom into active menu.
Click Save.

2.3 Schedule Sessions

Click TechConnect Zoom.
Select Schedule a New Meeting.
Enter topic, date/time, recurrence.
Enable auto-record (optional).
Click Save.

2.4 Recordings

Cloud recordings appear automatically
Students access through Canvas
Faculty can hide, rename, or delete

3. Course Content Reuse

3.1 Canvas Commons

Why use it: Access ready-made modules and resources.

Click Commons.
Search and preview content.
Click Import/Download.
Select course → Import.

3.2 Import/Export Course Content

Export:

Settings → Export Course Content
Choose Course → Create Export

Import:

Settings → Import Course Content
Select Canvas Course Export Package
Upload file and import

B. Communication & Regular Substantive Interaction (RSI)

4. Federal Standards

RSI requires:

Instructor-initiated interactions
Academic focus
Regular, predictable engagement

4.2 Canvas Tools for RSI

Announcements with multimedia
Instructor feedback in SpeedGrader
Discussion board participation
Message Students Who… tool
New Analytics follow-up
Studio video comments & questions
Office hours via Zoom/Inbox

5. Communication Tools

5.1 Message Students Based on Performance

Go to Grades
Click three-dot menu in column
Select Message Students Who…

5.2 Canvas Studio

Auto-captions
Embedded quizzes
Time-stamped comments
Analytics

C. Assessment & Gradebook

6. Weighted Assignment Groups

Assignments → + Group
Assignment Groups Weight
Enter percentages

6.2 Gradebook Features

Filters
Sorting options
Posting policies

6.3 Advanced Functions

Late policies
Treat ungraded as 0
CSV import/export

7. Question Banks

Quizzes → Manage Question Banks
Create bank
Use Find Questions

8. Additional Tools

8.1 Adjust All Dates

Edit all due dates from one screen.

8.2 Submit Grades

Submit final grades to SIS after confirming grading scheme.

D. Accessibility & Inclusive Design

9. Accessibility Tools

9.1 Accessibility Checker

Use the Rich Content Editor checker to fix issues.

9.2 Captioning Video

Canvas Studio auto-captions
Adobe Premiere Pro captions
Transcript cleanup support

9.3 Best Practices

Use descriptive links
Add alt text
Use heading structure (H2/H3)
Maintain clear layout

9.5 Accessibility Checklist

Headings structured properly
Descriptive links
Alt text for images
Good color contrast
Captioned videos
Accessible file types
Consistent navigation

Questions?

Have a question? Please email the campus Instructional Designer, Steven Gonzales sgonzales@compton.edu for more support. If you'd like to schedule a one-on-one Zoom appointment, please see my availability and schedule an appointment at this page: Instructional Design Consultation Availability.