eHelp Canvas - Syllabus

Canvas has a Syllabus link on the Course Navigation. This is where the course syllabus will be placed for students to easily find and review. We at LTU have prebuilt Canvas Syllabus Template(s) which contains common syllabus language and LTU policies. You'll have to update your specific course information, but the rest of the information will be preloaded.

On the right is an example of the syllabus template. It contains tabs such as: Course Overview, Course Outcomes, Course Schedule, Student Assessment, Assignment Descriptions, University Policies, and Academic Integrity.

Design Tools Template

Gif that shows how to find the Canvas syllabus template

  • Select Syllabus, and on the  Course Syllabus page, select Edit
  • In edit mode, select Design Tools ('rocket ship ' at top right) and select Create/Edit Syllabus Content
  • Scroll down, click Copy Existing Content to expand; select Institution Template Pages
  • Highlight and select the appropriate college syllabus template. The template will load in edit mode to be updated. When finished editing make sure to select Update Syllabus

Gif that shows how to load and edit the Syllabus Template (specific to college) in Canvas

While in Edit mode for the Syllabus and Design Tools open you can add in your instructor and or TA information into the provided box.

  1. Place your cursor into the box under Instructor title by clicking in it. You'll notice the cursor blinking.
  2. In Design Tools click Add Advanced Elements
  3. Within the accordion click Teacher & TA Details

Syllabus location within canvas


This will give you a listing of all the instructors and tas that are listed in the course.

Click on the desired teacher or ta to expand the accordion.

  1. Fill out any missing information that you want your students to know
    Note: The image will be loaded based on the photo taken at the One Stop Center
  2. Click Insert Details at Cursor

Where to view teachers and other details within canvas

Once you click Insert Details at Cursor the information will be placed where you had placed/clicked you cursor at the beginning. It will look something like the below image.

Instructor information within canvas

Changing text within the syllabus template is quite easy. All you need to do is place your course by the text you want to change, highlight and delete or start backspacing and then proceed to type the new text.

this image shows the text editor within canvas

To replace the default schedule you can either begin from scratch and type in the information or you can copy from a pre-existing Google Doc or Word Doc.

To copy from a pre-existing doc you must first open the document.

  • Scroll to where the schedule begins.
  • Place cursor at the beginning row Ex. Dates
  • Click and hold Shift on the keyboard.
  • While holding Shift scroll to the bottom of the table to the furthest column and click at the end of the last word. The entire table should now be highlighted
  • Command  or CRTL + C to copy or right click and select Copy from the menu

canvasScheduleFromGoogle


Go to Canvas and the course the schedule belongs in

  • Click Edit
  • Scroll until you see the schedule
  • Place cursor at the beginning row Ex. Dates
  • Click and hold Shift on the keyboard.
  • While holding Shift scroll to the bottom of the table to the furthest column and click at the end of the last word. The entire table should now be highlighted
  • Command  or CRTL + V to paste or right click and select Paste from the menu

canvasScheduleIntoCanvas


Adding borders to your schedule

Click anywhere on the schedule

A rectangular box at the bottom or the top of the table

You will select the first icon

canvasSyllabusTableBorder

A pop-up window will appear

Click Advanced on the side

Select the dropdown menu below Border Style and choose the style you want. Solid is the most commonly used

Click Save

canvasSyllabusTableBorderStyle

Once you have finished all updates be sure to click Update Syllabus!

  • To edit the Tab Headings position cursor within any of the Tab Headings
  • Select Add Advanced Elements.

Select Accordion and Tabs to expand and see all the “blocks” available in the template

  • To reposition – click to drag/drop
  • To delete – click on the X to the right of the tab name
  • To rename - click inside the box, highlight text and rename

Adding New Tab or Accordion Panel
From Design Tools (Rocket Ship)

  1. Click Add Advanced Elements
  2. Click on Accordions | Tabs
  3. Click in any of the preexisting blue tab panels
  4. Click +Add Panel

Choose which type you want (Accordion or Tab). Rename Panel Heading to desired title

Adding a new tab within canvas


Changing Tab Panel Color
Click inside the new panel box, from Design Tools (Rocket Ship)

tab Panel Color

  1. Click Customize the Style
  2. Click Current Element Style
  3. Click Color
  4. Click the grey color box under Background Color
  5. Choose the top first Blue color