First Week(s) Checklists

---

 4.16 FIRST WEEK(S) CHECKLISTS

Assuming you have the traditional lead time to prep your course, the first two checklists below will ensure you've prepared everything covered in this module. However, for those with only hours before the first day of class, we've constructed a shortcut for the basic essentials.

 

Preparing Your Courses

• Syllabus: Finalize the design of your course syllabus, including the required CSUN elements.
• Syllabus: Send all your syllabi to your department (ask your chair or coordinator/analyst for details).
• Canvas Course: Canvas is CSUN's learning management system. There is a CSUN Canvas template you can use to design your Canvas course. IT has a webpage dedicated to providing support for using Canvas. 
• Books: Identify your course materials and work with the Campus Store. Consider low cost course options. 
• Books: If possible, provide extra copies of course materials through the Library's Course Reserves.
• CSUN Portal (SOLAR): Learn how to manage and access your class rosters in CSUN Portal (SOLAR). Make sure your name is assigned to the courses you are teaching. If not, contact your department.
• Student waitlist: If your course is full and students want to add, direct them to use the waitlist in CSUN Portal (SOLAR) until the end of Week 1. Here is an overview of how it works.
• Inclusion: Check for students who may need you to provide accommodations; they should be registered with the National Center on Deafness (NCOD) and/or Disability Resources Educational Services (DRES).
• Inclusion: Learn how to make all your course materials accessible; our Universal Design Center has numerous tips.
• Time management: Block off time in your calendar for prepping and grading
• Attendance: Develop a plan for knowing who comes to class, at least in the beginning. This might include using the attendance feature in Canvas Links to an external site.or other creative options. The Faculty Technology Center prepared this video Links to an external site. to guide you through the process of taking attendance using badges in Canvas.
• Technology: Learn from your department how to engage with your College IT support team. 
• Networking: Take time to cultivate a positive relationship with your Department Coordinator or Administrative Analyst. He/she/they can answer many questions about enrollment, what forms are necessary for various procedures and how to effectively navigate your home department. These staff positions are not called secretaries, as these positions require higher-level skill sets.
• Technology: Arrive or start synchronous class sessions 10-15 minutes early so that technical issues are figured out early & you are available to connect with students.

 

 

Before Publishing Your Canvas Courses

After you have designed your course and built your Canvas courses, what should you do before publishing the course and inviting students to this learning space? Here is a quick checklist for you:

 

View Checklist as a pdf. Download View Checklist as a pdf.

Visit CSUN Faculty Canvas Support Page

Preparing Your Course in a Rush: A Shortcut

While we recommend reviewing everything in this module, we understand sometimes we have to focus on the essentials when we are suddenly invited to teach a new course last minute. 

Preparing your course in a rush: A shortcut Links to an external site.