Online Learning Timed Activity Guide

Do you wonder how long it takes for your students to complete the activities in your course? As a guide, students should complete approximately 3 hours of coursework per week for each credit hour (including class meeting time). For example, a 3-unit course should have approximately 9 hours of activities and/or meeting time per week.

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Guidelines for Submitting Syllabi and Course Content

Would you like help with your course design in Canvas? You have come to the right place! Online Learning is happy to assist in building your course in Canvas. Once your syllabus is finalized and approved by your department, we ask that you follow the following guidelines to make the process as seamless as possible.

Please email a single Syllabus Word document to onlinelearningsupport@ciis.edu, including:

  • Instructor contact information
  • Class meeting dates, times, and location
  • A course calendar with clearly defined dates
  • All assignments with relevant assignment details, including due dates, assignment description, submission format, point values, and rubrics

If your course uses additional artifacts, such as course readings, lecture material, videos, podcasts, etc., please ensure the following:

  • Readings are uploaded to the Files section in Canvas and all readings match at least the title or author that is stated in the Syllabus
  • Lecture videos are uploaded to the course using Canvas Studio (we can help with this!)
  • Linked media (ex: youtube videos, podcasts, etc.) have correct links. Please check that the link points to the correct/intended video/podcast and that there are no “not found” error messages

Many departments have their own Syllabus template for use. Please check with your Department Chair to see if there is a syllabus template you should use.

If you’d like to set up an appointment with an Instructional Designer, please use the ID Group Calendly.

We look forward to supporting you!


While we’re busy working on your courses, check out these tools/resources (below) to enhance your course in Canvas. Let us know if you’d like more information!
  • Worried that your course has too many or too few activities? Check out our Timed Activity Guide.
  • Include Peer Reviews for your Students’ drafts or major assignments.
  • Encourage your students to submit their best work by using Draft Coach.

Moving email from “Other” to “Focused” inbox in Outlook

Email sometimes gets “stuck” in the Other inbox in Outlook. This can happen for a number of reasons – mainly if you regularly receive email from that sender without opening it. Please see the below graphic to move email from a specific sender into the Focused inbox.

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Canvas Tour

Here’s a brief tour to get you started with navigating CIIS’ Canvas platform.