Before subjects go live to Spring students on Monday 25th July, make sure your Canvas site is ready to go and up-to-date. Follow these steps for a smooth start to your subject.
Before July 25th
Is your subject site ready for students?
- Use our subject rollover checklist to make sure your Canvas site is ready for your students.
- Make sure your site is accessible to everyone when your subject commences.
Need guidance to finalise and check your subject? Contact the LX.lab as soon as possible.
Check our UTS Library’s Reading List tool
Think about How Reading Lists improve student experience and copyright compliance.
If you’re new to the Reading List tool, the Library has some excellent guides on how to set up your Reading List in Canvas. Visit the UTS Library’s guides and Quick start to Reading Lists, or contact the Library directly if you need further assistance.
If you’re familiar with Reading lists, check it’s working and up to date. Remember to enable and publish your Reading List so students can access readings from Canvas before they start.
Record a welcome video
Want to record a professional looking welcome video? Hop aboard the Welcome Video Express! until July 15th to book a 30min recording session in the LX.lab Media Space and then make it part of your welcome announcement.
On July 25th
Send a Welcome announcement to your students from Canvas
Sending your Welcome announcement is one of the key ways students will know that their subject is available in Canvas. Be sure your site is published on July 25th because any announcements sent before your subject site is published will not be received by students.
You can use the same template from Welcome your students to Autumn 2022 with some minor adjustments. Also consider how you’re able to build belonging though your first welcome announcement
Tell students how you will communicate
It’s really important to have a communication strategy and explain this strategy to to students. It doesn’t need to be complicated – simply state how and when you’re going to communicate. For example, “I’ll send an announcement from Canvas every week on Monday afternoon…”
For examples of other tools and strategies for communication, visit Communicate with your students.
Where can your students go for support?
- Canvas 24/7 online and phone support
- IT Support: Online, phone 02 9514 2222 or drop-in to Building 10, Level 2, room 212 (CB10.02.212)
- UTS Canvas Student Guide
- UTS Student Centre for administrative and hands-on support
- Student Learning Hub for advice and guidance on UTS student support services, including peer to peer coaching on how to use Canvas
Where can you go for support?
- Online or face-to-face consultations with the LX.lab team
- Self help resources on LX Resources
- Canvas 24/7 online or phone support on 1800 (+61) 1800 017 123
- IT Support Centre: online IT support, phone 02 9514 2222, or drop-in to Building 10, Level 2, room 212 (CB10.02.212)
Week 1 of session
Teach Safely on campus
To ensure that you can teach on campus in the safest way possible for you and your students, check the COVID safety guidelines that have been introduced by UTS.
Build belonging
It’s essential we make students feel welcome, included and valued at this time. Help them feel ‘at home’ in their university study and experience a sense of connection to their peers online and on-campus.
Practice how you can Build belonging into your first class. Consider things like:
- How you introduce yourself (and the discipline)
- Provide an opportunity for peer introductions
- Relate your subject to being a professional in your field
- Reassure students and normalise challenges
- Provide a road map to the subject
Some ideas to help you get your class community building started can be found at our Adaptable resources for teaching with technology from Icebreakers and ‘morning tea’ to reading and note taking – there’s plenty to explore and try out.
Planning ahead
Consider how you’ll check in with students throughout the session and provide feedback. These blogs might help you get thinking about some common issues