Using Peer Review in Your Course

A peer-review assignment enables students to provide feedback on another student’s submission. Peer reviews are a tool that allows students to communicate and helps them master course concepts and learn from each other. Peer reviews can be assigned to show student names or display anonymously.

Note: Students can only view peer review assignments after they have submitted work to the assignment.

Adding Peer Review to Assignments

How to Use Peer Review in Your Course

To learn more about how to use Peer Review in your course, check out Instructure’s guide to Peer Review.

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.

Canvas Tour

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

Create an Assignment That is Due Before the Term Begins

Any due date used in a Canvas Assignment must fall within the dates for the term. Otherwise, students won’t be able to submit the Assignment.

However, if needed, you can create an Assignment in Canvas that is due before the official start of the term. To do this, simply leave the Due, Available from, and Until fields blank.

For a list of important term dates, please see the CIIS academic calendar.

If needed, you can create an Assignment in Canvas that is due before the official start of the term. Simply leave the Due, Available from, and Until fields blank.

  1. While you are in edit mode for the Assignment, scroll to the bottom, to the section called Assign
  2. Leave all of the date fields (Due, Available from, and Until) blank.
  3. Select the Save & Publish button at the bottom right.