Below are the top things to do before classes begin, as well as some other resources to browse, as you look to the start of the new academic year.
Top Things to Do Before Your Class(es) Begin
- Review the Canvas Start-of-Term Checklist to make sure your course is published and ready to be accessed by students.
- Align your course with Vanguard’s Essential Course Quality Standards.
- Update your syllabus using the syllabus template and guidance.
- Set up attendance tracking using Canvas Roll Call or another method which meets the university and any program-level attendance tracking policies.
- Visit Faculty Central for quick access to policies, forms, committee information, and other key resources.
Teaching + Course Design Support
- Syllabus Resources: Reference required syllabus components and distance education guidelines.
- Essential Course Quality Standards: Ensure your course meets these standards related to clarity, accessibility, and engagement.
- Accessibility & Inclusive Course Design: Support all learners with UDL strategies and accessibility checklists.
- Fostering Academic Integrity in the Age of AI: Design assignments that promote authentic learning and provide appropriate AI use.
- Academic Faith Integration Guide: Explore and reflect on how faith intersects with your academic discipline.
Student Support + Success
- Student Support & Academic Services: Connect students with academic support, disability services, and more.
- Registrar’s Office Attendance Tracking: Submit student non-attendance reports, based on timeframes indicated by the Registrar’s Office in Faculty Central.
- Attendance Tracking in Canvas: Use this Canvas guide, if you will be tracking attendance within the Canvas LMS. Note: The Qwickly Attendance Tracking tool is no longer being used at Vanguard.
- Course Reserves: Place course materials on library reserve to increase student access.
- Campus Public Safety: Access Campus Public Safety contact info and emergency resources.
Technology + Library Tools
- Canvas Start-of-Term Checklist: Ensure your Canvas course is student-ready and published before your class(es) begin.
- Vanguard University Library Databases: Review current library databases, as recent budget adjustments have resulted to changes in available resources. Update course materials as needed.
- Streaming Video Resources: Use Academic Video Online (AVON) and more to supplement your course content.
- Statista: Access industry data and statistics through Statistia. Access VU’s paid subscription via the library’s A–Z database list.
- Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart: Introduce students to the Media Bias Chart to support media literacy and critical evaluation of news. Access VU’s paid subscription via the library’s A–Z database list.
- Chronicle of Higher Education Access: Use Vanguard’s campus wide license for digital access to The Chronicle and to subscribe to relevant newsletters.
Faculty Flourishing
- Workshops & Events: Participate in Teaching + Learning workshops and faculty learning communities.
- Spark Sessions: Sign up for two Spark Sessions held as part of the Academic and Faculty Gatherings.
- Core/Resident Faculty Professional Development Funds: Apply for funding to support your professional growth.
- Faculty Central: Visit this one-stop access for resources, forms, academic affairs deadlines and key dates, handbooks, and shared governance information.
- Faculty Central User Guide: Use these instructions for navigating the site and engaging in shared governance.
