The syllabus provides students with essential information about the course, including its primary goals and the skills and knowledge they will acquire upon completion. Acting as a compass, it guides students through the course, helping them navigate what lies ahead, understand the course structure, and locate important content. It’s crucial that the syllabus not only contains essential information but is also clear and easy for students to understand.
As one of the fundamental pillars of a course, the syllabus already has a dedicated link and a special area for syllabus content in the main menu of the Canvas course website. Though syllabus placement might seem minor, proper placement improves accessibility, promotes transparency, and saves teachers time.
Easy Access for Students
Adding the syllabus content directly into the Canvas editor ensures better accessibility on phones and other smart devices, as the text automatically adjusts to fit the user’s screen size. This is especially important for students with disabilities who rely on screen readers or other assistive tools to navigate the web. However, this approach also improves the overall user experience for all students.
Efficient Workflow for Teacher
Updating syllabus content is quicker when entered directly into the Canvas editor. For example, if a date or typo needs correction, you simply need to edit and save it within Canvas. By contrast, sharing the syllabus as a Word or PDF document involves a more time-consuming process: locating and opening the document in the appropriate program (e.g., Word), editing, saving, re-uploading to Canvas, and, in some cases, updating the link.
Consistency Across Courses
Students have often voiced concerns about the inconsistency between course websites, making it difficult to find important information or course materials. Placing the syllabus in the same location across all courses creates a more consistent experience for students, reducing the time they spend searching for essential information.
Instructions and Resources for the Syllabus
The syllabus template in the Canvas Teacher’s Guide includes helpful information on syllabus content, along with pre-made content that teachers can use. The guide also contains a checklist to help you evaluate your syllabus.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the syllabus, don’t hesitate to reach out: Help and advice with Canvas.