Course-in-a-Box for New CU Educators

Course Design

Whether you’re teaching at CU for the first time, creating a brand-new course, or refreshing an existing one, the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) is here to help! This course-in-a-box is your go-to guide, offering essential resources to design, develop, and deliver an effective course from start to finish.

What’s Inside

We’ve organized key resources to support you:

  • Before the Semester: Get started with tools for course planning and preparation.
  • During the Semester: Find strategies for effective teaching, student engagement, and classroom management.
  • End of the Semester: Wrap up with tips for grading, reflection, and preparing for your next course.

Need More Support?

If you’re looking for specialized resources or personalized guidance, we’re here for you!

  • Join Us: Attend one of our upcoming events or programs.
  • Get Help: Schedule a consultation with CTL for one-on-one support.
  • Explore: Use the search bar to find additional online tools and resources tailored to your needs.

Before the Semester Starts

Mapping your course using

Creating and using

Choosing materials and

via the CU Book Store 

Finding syllabi from past courses at CU via the

Getting to know  

Getting to know

Creating

Learning about Flex Plans and other accommodations offered through CU Disability Services 

Including in your syllabus

. Canvas is CU’s Learning Management System (LMS). This site includes links to resources for creating a Canvas site; posting documents, media, and other content to your Canvas site; creating graded assignments, quizzes, and discussions; publishing your Canvas course; and other helpful information from CU’s Office of Information Technology (OIT).

Note: If you need to add eBooks or other digital resources to your Canvas site, you may need direct assistance from the publisher of those digital resources (e.g., Norton).

. This site includes links to resources for setting up a grading scheme and grade cutoffs in Canvas, setting up assignment groups and weights in your Canvas gradebook, setting up assignment drop policies and other grading policies in your Canvas gradebook, hiding and posting grades, etc. 

(TAs, graders, etc.) to your Canvas site

through CU’s Office of Information Technology (OIT)

, the developer and publisher of Canvas

Getting to know instructional technologies like Canvas, iClickers, VoiceThread, and Zoom

(for classroom polling, attendance, quizzes, etc.)

Capturing high-quality video recordings of your lectures with . (Note that only certain classrooms are eligible)

Deciding where and when to hold your office hours: Consider asking your colleagues what office hours modality (in-person, remote over Zoom, or hybrid) and days and times they recommend. You can also ask your colleagues where to find guidance on department- or program-specific requirements regarding office hours (e.g., required number of office hours per week). 

Note: If you do not have a campus office and wish to hold in-person office hours, you may need to talk with your department about reserving a physical space for your office hours. 

(for remote or hybrid office hours).

Establishing TA responsibilities and expectations via an Instructor/TA agreement 

Sending out a welcome email: Consider sending out a welcome email to welcome your students to your course. It is recommended that instructors send out welcome emails at least a week before the first day of class and include when and where your class will meet, required textbooks or other course materials or technology (e.g., clickers), and any other information that will help students prepare for your course. The welcome email is also a great opportunity to begin building rapport with your students by introducing yourself and sharing why you are excited to teach this course!

Using a (e.g., to learn more about your students’ identities and backgrounds or needs or concerns they have heading into the semester) 

During the Semester

First day tips for a successful first day of class!

Communicating with students via Canvas, ungraded Canvas quizzes, and other methods (see section on Communication) 

Viewing approved accommodations for students in your course(s) via the

Revisiting Flex Plans (If any of your students qualify for a Flex Plan, Disability Services will reach out to you to set up a plan for your course)

Using the Student Testing Center 

Administering an early- or mid-semester survey to get student feedback

Completing a classroom observation to get expert feedback on your teaching methods

End of the Semester

Familiarizing yourself with

Posting final grades (includes guidelines and deadlines) 

with the web grading system 

Navigating Incompletes: Please contact your department leadership (usually, the Associate Chair/Director of Undergraduate Education) for department-specific policies and procedures for Incompletes.

(and other end-of-semester tips from OIT)

Submitting a grade change request (if you need to change a grade once your grades have been submitted)

Assessing and reflecting on your teaching (including interpreting FCQs and other forms of student feedback) 

Further Reading & Resources:

The CTL offers individualized, confidential consultations free of charge to all educators on the CU Â鶹ӰԺ campus. CTL staff can consult on specific aspects of your teaching or simply hold a general conversation. We likewise provide confidential classroom observations and conduct classroom interviews. When needed, our staff can quickly connect you to appropriate campus support and resources. 

  Schedule a Consultation with the CTL 

Within the CTL, ASSETT's team is available for one-on-one and small-group consultations for Arts and Sciences educators that are tailored to the unique needs of A&S faculty, courses, and programs.

  Schedule a Consultation with ASSETT