FAQs on Setting up a New Semester Course in Canvas...

How will I know when one of my distance students sends me a message?

Setup your Notifications now! Encourage you to consider adding your cell phone to get texted immediately when a students sends you a message -- NOTE that this does NOT mean students will be able to see your cell #, rather Canvas uses it for where to route notifications you specify.

http://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/40323-how-do-notification-preferences-work

If your Personal Settings>Notifications, to get notified of all student messages to you, make sure to check ASAP for :

"SUBMISSION COMMENT"

"ADDED TO CONVERSATION"

"CONVERSATION MESSAGE"

Can I copy material from my previous course or other Canvas course sites?

Yes! go to the course you want to copy material INTO & select:
"Settings"> "Import content into this Course">Content Type: "Copy a Canvas Course"> Select your course
TOP TIP: Check the "Adjust events and due dates" option to have Canvas Auto update your due dates & events!!
Step by step directions:
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/57077-how-do-i-import-content-from-another-canvas-course

What else do I need to make sure I update for everything to work for students?
Links to materials in other courses is one of our most common help ticket issues from Fall--- make sure links to assignments etc. point to within the SAME course only. Links to files, assignments, quizzes, surveys etc in OTHER courses will work for you but NOT your students.

What is the best place to put my material to make sure students find all of it?
Load up your Assignments details page & use links to Pages to make sure each of your assignments has everything students need to complete the assignment if it is 2am.
How to Edit Assignments details page:
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/41285-how-do-i-edit-assignment-details
How to Link to other pages Within a Course:
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/41444-how-do-i-link-to-other-pages
How to Create a New Page:
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/41440-how-do-i-create-a-new-page

What are the next tools/steps I should add in to my canvas course (or Where do I even start?!)?
Here is a Good Checklist of things to do to help setup your Weeks 2-4 Prototype:

Setup Gradebook/Assignmentshttp://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/c/23831
Add due dates to all of the above + any other class events = Electronic Class calendar
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/c/23832
Determine homepage setup best supports your use.
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/8472/l/57075-how-do-i-change-the-course-home-page
Familiarize Yourself with Canvas Inbox
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/c/23836b.
Setup Online Assignment Submission via Canvas
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/l/49905-what-are-the-different-online-submission-types
Adding Online Grading Rubrics (Setting High Expectations Support)
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/c/23864b.
Setup online discussion postings
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/c/23845c.
Setup Online quizzes/surveys
http://guides.instructure.com/s/2204/m/4152/c/23861