Canvas Practices Interactive Checklist

These checklists group essential Canvas practices into four areas: communication, organization, assessment, and engagement.

They’re intended as a quick reference as you design, review, or improve your course.

Interactive Checklist

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Overall Progress

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▶ Communication Journey Checklist

Create a communication plan that incorporates Canvas announcements, messages, and notifications. Check each box as you complete these essential preparations:

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Email — Verify my Canvas profile has the correct email address where I want to receive notifications.

Timezone — Update my Canvas timezone settings to match my actual location (no more lost-in-translation timestamp confusion).

Notification cadence — Customize my alert preferences for announcements, inbox messages, discussion threads, etc.

Course site — Publish the course site so students can access materials and receive communications.

Welcome message — Share an engaging welcome announcement introducing yourself and the course, recommending students update their notifications in Canvas, and pointing them to Student Support Tips.

▶ Organization Blueprint

Create a clear course structure that helps students know where to go, what to do, and how materials fit together.

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Audit your current course organization and identify areas for improvement.

Review your assigned readings and check for accessible versions through the Harvard Library, prioritizing any outdated or hard-to-read scanned copies.

Create a consistent folder structure in Canvas Files that mirrors your course organization.

Create navigation breadcrumbs using consistent naming and logical sequencing.

Implement the "evergreen content" strategy by removing hard-coded dates from your materials.

Establish a predictable course pattern with consistent placement of readings, assignments, and resources that students can rely on throughout the course.

▶ Assessment Mastery Action Plan

Turn assessment management from overwhelming to effortless with these targeted actions. Each step moves you closer to streamlined grading and more meaningful student feedback.

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Convert one traditional assignment to use Canvas submission features with file type restrictions.

Set up a Canvas quiz with appropriate question types and access controls.

Test the student submission process by submitting sample work to understand their experience.

Explore SpeedGrader's commenting and annotation tools for efficient feedback delivery.

Implement the "evergreen content" strategy by removing hard-coded dates from your materials.

Configure assignment weights and explore the Gradebook messaging features for targeted student communication.

▶ Connection Cultivation Strategy

Foster genuine connections and collaborative learning with these community-building actions. These steps will help you create an engaging environment where students support each other's success.

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Explore community-building activities using Canvas groups, Canvas discussions, or other discussion tools.

Design icebreaker activities that help students connect early in the course.

Design a discussion prompt that encourages peer interaction and idea sharing.

Set up peer review opportunities that build community while enhancing learning.

Implement the "evergreen content" strategy by removing hard-coded dates from your materials.

Schedule a consultation with ITG to explore collaboration tools that match your course goals.

Canvas Success Checklist: Key Areas that Matter

Overall Progress