As the fall semester winds down, it’s time to wrap up your online courses with care and attention to detail. A smooth course conclusion not only ensures a positive experience for your students but also sets you up for future teaching success. Whether you’re finalizing grades or gathering student feedback, here’s a practical checklist to guide you through this important process.
1. Ensure All Grades Are Accurate and Up-to-Date
Before submitting final grades, double-check your Canvas gradebook for:
- Missing Assignments: Ensure all submissions have been graded and recorded.
- Correct Weighting: Verify that assignment categories reflect your syllabus’ grading scheme.
- Extra Credit: If applicable, ensure extra credit is applied appropriately.
Pro Tip: Use the Canvas “Gradebook History” to track any changes you’ve made to grades for transparency and accuracy.
2. Communicate with Students
Students often have questions as the semester ends. Proactively address common concerns by:
- Sending a wrap-up announcement summarizing key dates (e.g., when grades will be posted).
- Clarifying policies on late work or final assignment deadlines.
- Offering office hours (virtual or in-person) for last-minute questions.
3. Back Up Your Course Content
Preserve your hard work by exporting your course materials:
- Download a copy of your Canvas course using the Export Course Content feature.
- Save any important documents, discussion posts, or assignments to a secure location for future reference.
4. Reflect on What Worked—and What Didn’t
Take time to evaluate your course’s performance:
- Review Student Analytics: Canvas provides insights into student participation, engagement, and performance.
- Take Notes: Jot down what worked well and areas that may need adjustment for future iterations of the course.
Pro Tip: Use these insights to plan updates to assignments, discussions, or resources for next semester.
5. Gather Student Feedback
Understanding your students’ experiences can help improve your course. Consider:
- Enabling an anonymous survey in Canvas to collect feedback on course content, structure, and delivery.
- Asking targeted questions like, “Which resource or activity was most helpful to your learning?”
6. Archive and Clean Up Your Course
Keep your Canvas course organized:
- Unpublish old announcements or modules no longer relevant.
- Archive discussion boards and other materials to streamline navigation for any post-semester access.
7. Celebrate and Recharge
Once your course is complete, take a moment to recognize your hard work. Online teaching demands creativity, flexibility, and dedication—qualities you’ve undoubtedly demonstrated this semester!
Wrapping Up with Clemson Online
Need help with any part of your end-of-semester tasks? Clemson Online is here to support you. Whether it’s assistance with gradebook features, exporting course content, or designing future courses, our team is ready to help.
Reach out to us via our website or schedule a consultation to prepare for your next teaching adventure.
Finish strong this semester and set your stage for success in the spring!
Upcoming Events
Quick Hits: New Quizzes in Canvas – What’s Changing?
Thursday, December 5, 3:30-4pm
New Quizzes are coming to Canvas! Join this training to learn about the differences between current Canvas Quizzes and New Quizzes and how to get started using New Quizzes in your Canvas course. This training will also cover how to build out questions, use item banks, and learn how to navigate New Quizzes. When registering, choose whether to have a specific topic covered, enter your question, or both.
Facilitated by Gray Jackson, Sr. Learning Tech Specialist.
Registration: Quick Hits: New Quizzes in Canvas – What’s Changing?
Decreasing Cognitive Load Through Canvas Course Design
Wednesday, December 11, 1:30-2:30pm
Join this training to learn more about how to decrease your students’ cognitive load through your Canvas course design! These organization techniques will help your learners focus on retaining course content, rather than course navigation. If you have a specific question you want covered during this training, please enter it when you register.
Facilitated by Millie Tullis, Digital Learning Strategist.
Registration: Decreasing Cognitive Load Through Canvas Course Design
Clemson Online Fall 2024 Events Calendar
Review our Fall 2024 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
