#  Canvas Course Sites 

 



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Canvas is the web platform Harvard uses for its course sites. You can find all your course sites listed at <https://canvas.harvard.edu>. On canvas you will create your course introduction video, add your syllabus and assignments, schedule course meetings in Zoom, and much more. We encourage you to explore all features of Canvas.

At a minimum, courses should have:

- A syllabus
    - Add course administrative information – such as Course Requirements, Office Hours, recommended texts – to syllabus page as plain text
    - You can also upload and link a pdf copy of your syllabus for students who prefer to have a printable version
- [Schedule Zoom sessions](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=d27057a4db1d84d4dffdbc32ba961938)
    - You can choose to record Zoom sessions
- Reading List
    - Send your reading list to [reserves@hds.harvard.edu](<mailto: reserves@hds.harvard.edu>). They will gather the readings and links to any digital material to your reserves list, found in the course navigation. For more Library services, see [Library Resources](https://library.hds.harvard.edu/services/faculty-and-staff).
- [A course information video](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=879dde581b395850485411b6bc4bcb4b)

Make sure you **publish** your site as soon as possible for students to shop. The minimum need for a site for shopping is a syllabus (a draft is fine) .

Other recommended configurations for Canvas:

- [Assignments](https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/articles/662741-what-are-assignments)
- [Discussions](https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/articles/662749-what-are-discussions)
- [Organize Your Content with Modules](https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/articles/662761-what-are-modules)



 

###  Organize materials with Canvas 

Files can be any document (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, etc) that you hold rights to, as long as the document is [accessible](/accessibility "Accessibility"). Harvard's Digital Accessibility Services has produced a [Guide to Accessible Academic Content](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/academic-content) specifically for faculty. The files section of Canvas **should not** be used to upload copyright-protected materials. If you have course readings, please contact <reserves@hds.harvard.edu> and they will be able to link existing digital material, as well as scan materials that qualify for fair use on your site.

You can organize your course with modules, adding assignments, files, Canvas pages. See the instructions on how to [add course content as module items](https://community.instructure.com/en/kb/articles/662761-what-are-modules), or contact HDS IT and Media Services for a [consultation](/instructional-technology-consultations "Instructional Technology Consultations") by emailing <coursesites@hds.harvard.edu>.



 

###  Integrate library resources 

The Harvard Libraries are full of bountiful resources, available in person and online. Everything from digitized texts to online journals to streaming video are available to create learning environments for your courses. See [Library Resources](https://websites.harvard.edu/hds-online-learning/library-resources/) for details.



 

###  Organize media collections in Panopto​ 

It is easy to [upload videos](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=250d645adba3c05430ed1dca48961923) that you have already created to Panopto, a video host that is already available on your course site.



 

###  Academic Technology Consultant program 

Academic Technology Consultants are graduate students with competencies in Canvas, media and A/V services, online classroom technologies, and commonly used software programs. Please see the [Instructional Technology Consultations](/instructional-technology-consultations "Instructional Technology Consultations") for more information.