Syllabus - How do you add your syllabus to Canvas?

Many instructors set their Canvas home page to Modules so students will see the expected progression through the course, and then include the syllabus within the modules content. The sections on this page include several syllabus methods that might work better for hybrid or online courses.

Linking to a Google Doc Version of Your Syllabus

You can create the syllabus in Google docs and link to it from Canvas. Advantages of this option are:

  • if you teach multiple sections of the same course and want to use the same syllabus for all sections, this is the most efficient method of adding your syllabus. When you make changes in Google docs, you don't need to update your Canvas courses.
  • it's also easy to print copies of the syllabus from Google Docs to submit to your department or hand out to students in class.
  • Google Docs are easily viewable on small screens like smartphones.

Canvas Guides about Linking to Google Docs

How do I view my Google Drive files in Canvas as an instructor?  Links to an external site.(Note that Google Apps are already enabled at Highline College.)
How do I create a hyperlink or embed a file from Google Drive into the Rich Content Editor as an instructor? Links to an external site.


Adding Your Syllabus to a Page in Canvas

Create a new page in Canvas and then type your syllabus there, or just copy and paste from your existing syllabus. There's also a way to create a tabbed page in Canvas. Advantages of this option are:

  • putting your syllabus into a Canvas page is another option that is easily viewable on small screens like smartphones.
  • students don't have to download anything to view it.

Canvas Guides about Adding Your Syllabus to a Page in Canvas

How do I create a new page in a course? Links to an external site.
Rich Content Editor video tutorial Links to an external site.
Canvas Tabbed Page Generator Links to an external site. (Note: This is not a Canvas feature; it's a program written by Canvas users. If you want to try this feature but aren't familiar with html, please contact id@highline.edu for assistance.) Below is an example of what a tabbed syllabus page looks like.

Screen shot showing what a tabbed page looks like


Uploading Your Syllabus

If you create your syllabus as Word doc or PDF, you can simply upload it to Canvas and then create a link to it from the modules, a Canvas page, etc. Advantages of this option are:

  • you can use the same document for making copies for your students in face-to-face or hybrid classes, for submitting to division secretaries, and for uploading to Canvas.
  • you can link to the syllabus from multiple places in Canvas.

One disadvantage is that these types of documents aren't as easily viewable on small screens like smartphones.

Canvas Guides about Uploading Files

Pro Tip:

If you include the quarter and year in your syllabus file name (ex: PSYC100 Fall17), when you upload the next quarter's syllabus, it's best practice to delete the old syllabus from your Files. This will lessen the chance of you linking to the wrong syllabus, and will also help students if you give them access to Files in the course. In addition, now that there's a Search feature in Canvas, students might find an old syllabus when searching, and that might give them incorrect information depending on what you've changed.

 

Using the Syllabus Feature in Canvas

Due to the disadvantage listed below, we caution against using this feature. However, read the information below to decide for yourself.

Advantages of using this option are:

  • students will click Syllabus in the left navigation menu to access their syllabus.
  • alternatively, you might have the home page of your Canvas course set to Syllabus, so they'll see it every time they log into Canvas.

A big disadvantages of this option is:

  • below the syllabus itself, a Course Summary lists all the assignments, quizzes, and discussions along with their due dates. What's missing is the content that students must read, watch, etc. before completing those assignments. Students who use the Canvas syllabus will not see this other content.

Canvas Guides about the Syllabus Feature

Pro Tips:

For all these methods, be sure to use best practices in accessibility. For more information, see: