Using the Syllabus as an Instructor

Syllabus

Create Course Syllabus Directly into the Rich Content Editor 

• In Course Navigation, click the Syllabus link.

• The syllabus includes the syllabus description [1], the Course Summary [2], and the sidebar [3] (image below)

The syllabus description is where you can post your course description, a brief introduction, class guidelines, weekly reminders, and other important information. You can copy content from Word documents directly into the Rich Content Editor or create original content inside of the Rich Content Editor.

To edit the Syllabus, click the Edit button.

Open

• To edit the Course Syllabus by using the Rich Content Editor. You can post your course description, a brief introduction, class guidelines, weekly reminders, and other important information in the Syllabus Description. You can copy content from Word documents directly into the Rich Content Editor or create original content inside of the Rich Content Editor. You can also use the Rich Content Editor to embed videos and input HTML. To embed a document in your syllabus, highlight the text where you want to apply the file link [1] and click the Documents Options arrow to select the file document [2]. (image below) In the Rich Content Editor, the text will turn blue noting the link is downloadable. We will introduce how to add Word or PDF documents into Syllabus later.

Open

• The Course Summary is automatically generated for the course and contains a list of course assignments and course calendar events. Assignments are indicated by the Assignments icon [1], and events are indicated by the Calendar icon [2]. Non-graded items with a to-do date show the to-do date [3]. All assignments (unpublished and published) are listed in the syllabus for instructors, but students only see published assignments. (image below) Changes to dated items can be made in both the Assignments and Calendar features and will be automatically updated in the Syllabus. Click the title to view the details of the assignment or event. Any assignments or events that are past the due date are highlighted in gray. Undated items are listed in alphabetical order [4].

• To View Time Zones, hover over the time, you can see the course date and time. If you have set a specific time zone in your User Settings, all course dates and times will display in your local time (image below)

• The sidebar section displays information about course events and grading. The assignment group information can be edited in the Assignments feature while the Calendar information can be edited in both the Assignments and Calendar features. Any changes made will be reflected in the Course Summary section of the Syllabus. The sidebar includes a mini calendar [1]. Any date that includes an event or assignment due date are shown with a gray background. To view an associated assignment or event in Course Summary, click the calendar date. If your course includes weighted assignment groups, the sidebar also shows the percentages of each group [2] (image below)

Use Word or PDF Document as Syllabus

You can use the Rich Content Editor to insert hyperlinks to document files stored in your course, user, and group files.

By default, embedded document links display an icon that allows users to preview the document in the Rich Content Editor. You can disable the in-line preview or open the in-line preview automatically.

• In Course Navigation, click the Syllabus link.

• To edit the Syllabus, click the Edit button.

• Select the link location and highlight the text you want to insert the document link.

• In the toolbar, click the Documents icon and choose Upload Document. The document will link to the highlighted text.

• To manage options for the link, click the link title and click the Link Options.

• To allow users to view a file preview in a pop-up window when the link is clicked, select the Preview in overlay option [1].

  To allow users to view an in-line preview when the link is clicked, click the Preview inline option [2]. To expand the in-line preview by default, click the Expand preview by Default checkbox [3].  

  To save link options, click the Done.

Make Syllabus Accessible

• Students can access the course Syllabus from the course navigation link. You need to make sure Syllabus is visible.

  • Click Settings from the course navigation link [1].

  • Choose the Navigation tab [2].

  • Drag and drop Syllabus tab into the top list to make it visible to students [3].

• You can set Syllabus as the course home page.

  • Click Home from the course navigation link. And click Choose Home Page .

• Choose Syllabus as the Course Home Page.

Additional Resources