Using a WCU Canvas Course Template

Using a WCU Course Template from the Canvas Commons (pdf)

The CFC has created a variety of templates based on the most common modalities at WCU to make building your course a bit easier. The different templates for each teaching modality can be modified to suit your needs by following the directions in the pages included in the “About This Template” section of the (unpublished) “Instructor Module”. Guidance and prompts are also provided on each page that can be modified to suit your individual course needs.

1. Review the templates by going to the Commons in the Canvas global navigation menu (primary left menu).
2. The name of each template can be searched in the Search Bar or by filtering results to show only Western Carolina University “Shared with” results.
3. Click on the course name for the template you’d like to review and import. (It is important to review to ensure you are choosing the template that best suits the structure of your course.)

Follow the “How do I import and view the Commons resource in Canvas” directions to download the template into your Canvas course shell.)

Canvas Commons Guides are available by clicking “Guides” in the top left which highlight how to use and import from the Canvas Commons.

Each Template includes a Course Information Module & Canvas Syllabus Page 

The Course Information Module (located near the top of your Modules area) is where you provide students with general and administrative course information. The pages in the module include:

1. Course Overview
2. About Your Instructor
3. Synchronous Meeting (if not applicable can be unpublished)
4. Course Resources
5. Class Participation and Discussions
6. Academic and Campus Resources
7. Link to Technology & IT Help Information at WCU 
8. Institutional Policies
9. Course Q & A

The Canvas Syllabus page provides a template of editable text, links and information to easily chunk your syllabus information into. Links to the Institutional Policies and Academic & Campus Resource pages are included to avoid having to include everything on the Syllabus page or other pages. (Note: The CFC maintains accurate institutional information provided on theses pages)

Use the instructions below as a guide for updating these pages. 

Please review the following pages in the Course Information Module to decide if you would like to publish and share them with your students: 

1. Course Syllabus and Policies (not recommended if using the Canvas Syllabus page)
2. Information for Online/Distance Learners
3. LockDown Browser Requirement Information
4. Synchronous Meetings (recommended to unpublish if no Synchronous meetings will be scheduled in your class; also note to remove references to synchronous meetings (if not in use) as you edit/modify other course pages with your course information)
5. Additional (unpublished) pages are provided for use.

The CFC strongly recommends you share the published pages in the Course Information Module as a resource for students as well as providing a short introduction video or time during your first session of class to discuss the information on these pages.

Available Course Templates

All course templates include a Course Information Module, an Instructor page, and other resources.

WCU SYLLABUS TEMPLATE (Course Framework & Course Information Module for course template for Syllabus Use ONLY)

The Syllabus Template is available for any course. The Canvas Syllabus page in the course provides a template of editable text, links and information to easily chunk your syllabus information into. A course information module is linked that includes pages with pre-populated conetent. Institutional Policies and Academic & Campus Resource pages are included to avoid having to include everything on the Syllabus page or other pages. (Note: The CFC maintains accurate institutional information provided on theses pages)

ONCE A WEEK TEMPLATE (can also be used for flipped classes)

The Once a Week Template is best used for courses that are either set up to meet only once a week or are using a flipped format so students can complete some of the coursework in Canvas and avoid synchronous meeting/“Zoom” burnout. The module landing pages for each week contain three sections: What to Do Before We Meet, What We Will Do When We Meet, and What to Do After We Meet (all editable).

TWICE A WEEK MEETING COURSE TEMPLATE or for courses that meet Tuesday/Thursday

The Twice a Week Template is best for courses that meet twice a week or Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Each of the module overview pages for each week have two sections: Tuesday and Thursday (both editable). Each day gives space to tell students what to do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER each class day.

THREE TIMES A WEEK MEETING COURSE TEMPLATE or for courses that meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday

The Three Times a Week Template is best for courses that meet on those days or three times a week. Each of the module overview pages for each week have three sections: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (all editable). Each day gives space to tell students what to do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER each class day.

ASYNCHRONOUS TEMPLATE for fully online courses that never meet synchronously

The Asynchronous Template is the best for fully online courses that do not meet at scheduled synchronous times. It is set up with 10 modules which include a module overview page, a discussion (rubric attached) and an assignment. The module landing pages for each week have three sections: Overview, To Read or Watch, and To Complete or Submit.