We have created an updated checklist to help ensure your Canvas course is ready to go at the beginning of the term. It includes brief instructions for importing and organizing content and links out to helpful guides for more detail. 

• Find your courses. To access your courses, please visit Canvas Login or Canvas Login – secondary to login. The Dashboard should display your current courses. Clicking on the Courses button in the purple Global Navigation Menu will show you all current published and unpublished courses you are associated with. Clicking on the “all courses” link will show you all your Clemson courses, past and present.

• Combine your sections. Each course section has an individual site in Canvas. If you wish to combine, or crosslist, your sections, you may do so using the CrossList Assistant. Refer to the crosslisting guide for full details.
• Copy previous course content. You can import all or some of the content from another Canvas course. For instructions, see the Canvas course import guide.
• Easily update Assignment due dates. Go to Assignments, then click on the 3 dot “snowman” button in the upper right. Select “Edit Assignment Dates” from the menu, and you can edit all of your Assignment due dates on one page. See Bulk Update Due Dates for more information.

• Organize your content. Check your course to make sure your content is where you want it to be. Some general tips:
  • Simple Syllabus: Post your syllabus to Clemson’s new Syllabus repository.
  • Modules: Add your instructional materials here, organized by week, unit topic, chapter, etc.
• Create a home page. Make sure the first thing your learners see is welcoming and informative. We strongly encourage creating a custom page, but you can set your Syllabus or Modules as the Home Page, as well. Visit the Canvas Guide to Home Pages for more information.
• Customize your course navigation. Go to Settings and under the Navigation tab choose which menu items you want students to have access to. We recommended hiding “Files” and “Assignments.” Visit the Canvas Guide to Course Navigation for more information.
• Publish individual content. All content can be published or unpublished. If you are ready for students to view material, make sure they display the green published icon. If you are still working on content, you can leave it unpublished until ready. See the Canvas Guide on Draft & Published States for more information.
• Publish the entire course. On the course home, click the “Publish” button. Your course is now visible by your students. Note that you cannot unpublish a course once it contains a graded student submission.
• Create an announcement. Now that your course is published, it is a good time to let students know the course is available. For more information, visit the Canvas Guide to Announcements.

For a downloadable version of this checklist, self-enroll in the Faculty Resource Center and find it in the Help for Teaching with Canvas module.

If you would like some support getting ready, book a consultation with one of our Digital Learning Strategists. We love to see what you are working on!

Creative Inquiry Course – Vibe Coding for Education

‘Dara Abimbade and Hansen Wetsel of Clemson Online are leading a new Creative Inquiry course this spring with the guiding question, “How can we use vibe coding to create educational tools that reflect the emotional and pedagogical values we want in the classroom?” It starts January 7, 2026. Here are the details!

Upcoming Events 

Canvas Jumpstart Series

Monday and Tuesday, January 5-6th

Want to get ready for the Spring semester in a snap? Join us for our annual Canvas Jumpstart Series! We offer virtual workshop sessions covering how to build content, use grading rubrics, create a welcoming digital environment, and more!

See times and session titles at our registration link.

Quick Hits: Introduction to Simple Syllabus

Thursday, January 8th, 3-4 PM

Join this session to learn about utilizing Simple Syllabus! This training will demonstrate how to use the Simple Syllabus tool to build and publish an effective syllabus for your course. The training will also cover integrating Simple Syllabus with Canvas and the benefits of using this tool in your course. When registering, please include any questions you have about this training topic.

Click here to register!

Facilitated by Gray Jackson, Sr. Learning Tech Specialist.

Clemson Online Spring 2026 Events Calendar

Review our Spring 2026 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!

We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!

All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.

Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.

Clemson Online – Where Tech and Teaching Meet