In preparation for the new year, please have a look through this checklist to confirm that your courses are ready for January.
Pre-course setup
- Check to see if you have a Canvas site set up for each of your courses:
- When you log into canvas.ubc.ca, your course(s) should display as Course Card(s) on your Dashboard or in the “All Courses” list in the Courses tab.
- Merge courses and copy course content as needed:
- Contact us for assistance with cross-listing/merging courses, or to copy over content from a previous course.
- Prepare your course readings:
- It is best to merge Canvas courses before setting up Library Online Course Reserves (LOCR). If LOCR has already been requested for the original courses, resubmit your LOCR request with the newly merged course(s). For assistance, visit the Using Course Reserves page.
- Prepare for your course delivery:
- As UBC provides an expanded range of course delivery modes, prepare for your course delivery by reading our course delivery modes resources. If you need more help, please contact us.
Preparing to teach
- Check that your TA(s) have been added:
- Once your department timetable representative (T-Rep) has entered your TA(s) into the SIS system, they will automatically have access by January 2, 2024. (Note: TA(s) cannot be added to courses before their appointment start date.)
- Go to the People tab in your Course Navigation menu within Canvas. If you do not see your TA(s) listed after January 2, 2024, please contact your T-Rep.
- To help your TAs get ready to support your classes, encourage them to self-enrol on the Arts Teaching Assistant Training site in Canvas or attend a TA-focused workshop that is listed in our events page.
- If you are teaching hybrid, multi-access, or online courses:
- We recommend having a UBC registered Zoom account. This request may be made by contacting av.helpdesk@ubc.ca. Visit our Zoom page for more information and best practices for online classrooms.
- Set up Recording and Streaming in the Classroom if needed:
- In order to assist instructors with recording and sharing their lectures online, Arts ISIT offers support for classrooms with built-in lecture capture equipment, as well as portable AV equipment for classrooms that do not have recording and streaming equipment. Learn more or make a media capture request on our video recording page.
- If you would like to book a computer lab:
- Arts ISIT has Windows and Mac computer labs available which can be booked for instructor use. This includes one-off reservations to host digital assessments. For more information or to reserve a lab, visit our computer labs page.
Important details
- Ensure your course is ready for the term with this course checklist:
- Assignments, Quizzes and Discussions have the correct availability and due dates.
- Modules and content pages have been published (made visible to students).
- By default, grades are released automatically. You may want to set the Grade Posting Policy to Manually Post Grades to ensure grading activity is hidden from students.
- Publish your Canvas course so that students can access it on Monday, January 8.
- For additional support with teaching and learning technologies:
- Visit our tool directory to access our technology guides
- Visit our teaching and learning strategies
We are available to assist you with copying content from previous courses, merging courses, or managing Canvas course content and settings. Get in touch through virtual drop-ins, email, phone, or in-person at Buchanan C105A.
January Workshops
- Getting Started with Canvas for Arts Teaching Assistants | January 4
- Getting Started with Canvas for Arts Instructors | January 11
- Grading with Canvas | January 16
- Increase Student Participation & Track Attendance with iClicker Cloud | January 18
- Teaching with Zoom | January 25
