The end of the semester can be a busy time as instructors wrap up their courses. To help with the process, we built a checklist that separates the steps into three categories: Communication, Grading, and Finalizing.
- Communication looks at resolving any conversations or messages with the student and double checking for requests for help that need resolving
- Grading looks at what needs to be done to get the final grades calculated
- Finalizing looks at the steps needed to close the course and get ready for the next semester, term, or year
Reflections can be easier to answer while the course is still fresh and doesn’t add extra work to get the course going next time. Are there assignments or activities that need better clarification? Does some content need to be removed or rewritten? Are there any lingering broken links or videos? Are there additional tools offered that should be explored?
The following checklist allows time for reflection on the coursework:
Communication
- Schedule announcements
- Remind students of final exams
- Write a closure announcement to celebrate students' success
- Wrap up communication with students
- Resolve any lingering requests for help and answer any last-minute questions
Grading
- Verify the settings of the grading policies
- Look for missing assignments and grade them or remind students to complete them
- Confirm the assignment group weights are accurate
Finalizing
- Download a copy of the gradebook for personal records
- Submit grades to SIS
- Verify course end date and student access settings
- Fix any mechanical and technical issues with content (videos, links, LTIs, etc.)
- Review assignments and quizzes that presented challenges with understanding and revise them for clarity
- Update rubrics as needed
- Add new content and activities as needed
- Enhance content by including videos, presentations, or LTIs
- Get the course ready for next semester by exporting a copy, copying it into a shell, or uploading it to Commons
Impact has some great campaigns and walkthroughs that can also help instructors wrap up their course:
- End of Year Wrap-Up: Instructors
- Walkthrough: Export a Canvas course
- Walkthrough: Copy course into shell
- Walkthrough: Copy a course in Canvas (course import tool)
If instructors are looking for a way to freshen up their courses and increase engagement, Impact also offers a campaign on gamifying their course: Promoting gamification in canvas courses: K5-12.
