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 course information video
- 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
- You can choose to record Zoom sessions
- Reading List
- Send your reading list to 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.
Make sure you publish your site as soon as possible for students to shop. The minimum needs for a site for shopping are a syllabus (a draft is fine) and course information. video
Other recommended configurations for Canvas:
Organize materials with Canvas
Add files to your Canvas site. Files can be any document (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, etc) that you hold rights to. 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, or contact HDS IT and Media Services for a consultation by emailing coursesites@hds.harvrad.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 for details.
Organize media collections in Panopto
It is easy to upload videos 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 for more information.