This article is for instructors teaching synchronous online courses in Canvas. By reading this article, you will learn what to update in your course site before the start of the term, including the Canvas course home page, syllabus, Zoom setup, and student welcome message.
Before the term begins, make sure your Canvas course site is ready for students to access. Completing the items below helps students find important course information, join live class meetings, and understand how the course will run from the first day of class. We also recommend reviewing the full Course Readiness Checklist to confirm that your course site is ready for students before the first day of class.
Updating the Course Home Page
Before the start of the term, update the Canvas course home page so students can quickly find the key information they need. Remove any placeholder text and make sure the page includes the following:
- Course Number and Title
- Instructor Name(s)
- Course Meeting Times
- Zoom Meeting Link
- Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode
Keeping this information on the home page helps students know where to go for class access and basic course details as soon as they enter the course. Example of a synchronous online course home page:
Complete and Publish the Syllabus
Complete and publish your syllabus in Canvas before the start of the term. The syllabus should clearly explain the course structure, expectations, grading policies, and meeting schedule so students know what to expect from the beginning of the course.
Use the Canvas syllabus tool rather than uploading the syllabus as a Word document or PDF. This makes the content easier for students to access and keeps the course site more consistent.
If you need guidance on how to prepare or publish your syllabus in Canvas, refer to the support article: Preparing the Course Syllabus in Canvas.
Set Up Zoom for Class Meetings
All instructors teaching a Synchronous Online course must use a WSE Zoom-licensed account. This is required not only to access the full range of Zoom features needed for teaching and recording, but also for support purposes—only WSE accounts can be fully supported by the instructional technology team.
Before the semester begins, it is recommended that instructors complete Zoom training. This is especially important for first-time Synchronous Online instructors, to familiarize themselves with platform best practices. If you are teaching from a classroom or studio environment, additional training may be required at the K-Center or MP4 to ensure proper equipment usage and setup. If you are new to teaching synchronous online courses or would like a refresher on Zoom, email CMTShelp@jhu.edu to request training before the start of the term.
Instructors are responsible for starting Zoom sessions on time and managing the virtual classroom environment. All Zoom session recordings must be posted in Canvas within 24 hours of the session to ensure students have timely access to course materials. If you need guidance on how to set up Zoom in Canvas, refer to the support article: Zoom LTI Pro in Canvas.
For additional information on how to manage your Zoom recordings, please see Zoom Cloud Recordings.
Send a Welcome Message to Students
Before the start of the term, send a welcome message to your students using SIS. This is a good opportunity to welcome students to the course, share any important reminders, and direct them to the course site in Canvas.
Keep in mind that messages sent through the Canvas Inbox or Announcements will not reach students until the course is published.
Getting Help
For help using Canvas, review the Canvas Training for Faculty course site or use the Help option in the Canvas global menu to access additional support resources.
For questions about your course site, Zoom, Zoom training, or classroom and studio technology, please contact the instructional technology team or email CMTShelp@jhu.edu.