Pre-semester Online Checklist

Are you ready to teach online?

Make sure you can check off each item in the list below before you teach your first class.

  • Course Introduction: Write a course introduction that explains how Canvas will be used to facilitate learning.
  • Syllabus: Provide a syllabus that is up to date and reflects the current semester.
  • Navigation: Customize the course navigation Open External Link to ensure it is easy to follow.
  • Organization: Organize the course content in a logical way and make sure learning resources are easy to find. For best results, use a template.
  • Links: Check to make sure the course contains no broken links Open External Link .
  • Objectives: Provide course-level Open External Link  and module-level Open External Link  objectives.
  • Content: Develop and curate content that is sufficient for students to achieve the learning objectives.
  • Assignments/Assessments: Ensure that each week contains at least one learning activity or assessment with detailed instructions on requirements and expectations.
  • Communication: Develop a plan for communicating regularly with your students per the federal guidelines.

Confirm Course Details

All online courses are approved by department heads each term through Service-Now. Automated emails are sent weekly to request approvals. Once a course has been fully approved, the section in Banner will be updated to “pending” and the bookstore will send a request for materials. Course sections will not be opened for registration until materials have been submitted Open External Link . If there are no required materials, this must be noted. Each term you should verify the section information in banner, related to your teaching assignment, before registration begins.

Course Delivery Method

The course delivery method cannot be changed after registration has begun without Provost approval. If the delivery method is changed, all enrolled students must be notified of the change. Student will then be dropped as the section is updated. Students can re-register after the delivery method has been updated.

Course Enrollment Capacity

Capacities are set by departments but may be changed as needed to meet demand. Most Online course sections will have a specific number of seats reserved for different campus locations. The default is to reserve 50% of the total course capacity for students outside of Logan. Reserved seating numbers are adjusted throughout the registration period to ensure statewide campus students and out-of-state students have an opportunity to register. Enrollment capacities can be verified in Banner. Changes to enrollment capacities should be sent to the Scheduling team.

Student Resources

Students are expected to participate from a distance and will provide their own computer and network access. A webcam and microphone may be needed for virtually proctored exams and/or video-based assignments. Student tutorials on use and instructions for online course participation are available at https://www.usu.edu/academic-support/technology/.

Download Checklist