The start of a new academic year is almost upon us! Here is a quick checklist of things to do before the start of the fall 2023 semester:

Overview Video – Transcript

• If you are teaching two sections with identical content, you can have these sections merged within Desire2Learn (D2L) for easier management. See our resource for Merging your Courses in D2L.
• We recommend you install your course syllabus into a module with the content area of your course.
  • You can also install it into the “Overview” area within content, but be aware that this will not appear if students choose the Table of Contents view.
• In D2L, your course has start and end dates, between which your students can enter the course and access content within.  At least a week before a course begins, you should check these dates, and change them as you see fit.  This tutorial video shows you how.
  • By default, your course in D2L “starts” or opens the Friday before the course begins.
  • For summer sections and J-Term: course dates occasionally change as these courses are organized the semester prior.  Be sure the section start and end dates within D2L correspond with the class meeting time.
• Check all links to files, outside websites, and other resources within your course content, to make certain they still work or need to be replaced.
  • If you want to start using Start and End dates on your course Activities, this video shows you how.
• If you have start dates, due dates, or end dates attached to course content, be sure that they are updated to reflect the current semester’s calendar, so that content is visible to students when you want it to be, and due dates are properly reported.
• Do you want students to see their calculated grade within D2L’s grades area? See this video on Final Grade Release.
• (Optional) Email your students a quick welcoming message with a brief outline of the course (due dates for important activities, projects, and quizzes should suffice) and expectations (both what you expect from your students and what students can expect from you) one week before courses begin.
  • Use either the D2L Email Feature or the Class Listproc. See this page for tips and an example email.
    • If you use the D2L Email Feature, there are a few extra steps to save emails sent this way.
  • This is separate from the 10-minute course Introduction video or whenever and however you choose to do the Introduction of your course, which can be used to go over the syllabus and the structure/layout of your course, etc.
• Your students are responsible for learning to use D2L, their Canisius email, and Google Workspace.  Put this quick link to the ITS Guide for Students into your syllabus, so they know where to go for technical assistance.
  • Quick Message (Feel Free to insert into your Syllabus or as a link in your Syllabus Module):
  • You are responsible for knowing how to use D2L, your Canisius Email, and Google WorkSpace. If you need technical assistance please either go to the ITS Guide for Students or contact the ITS helpdesk by emailing them at helpdesk@canisius.edu.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

AUGUST 17, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, AT CANISIUS UNIVERSITY

The Canisius AI and Society Initiative continues its Conversations on AI symposia series with a second event that kicks off a dual-track program.

Two simultaneous panel sessions focus on education (K-12 and higher education), and business and government. In each, panelists and attendees consider the implications of generated AI for their enterprises. These sessions are followed by a mixer where all participants can gather to discuss artificial intelligence for their fields and sectors. By considering AI (and other emerging concerns in technology and society) across disciplines, professions and sectors, we might discover more helpful perspectives and opportunities.

Light refreshments will be served.

TRACK 1: EDUCATION, K-12 AND HIGHER ED
PANELISTS
Paul McAfee, PhD, instructor of business, University at Buffalo School of Management, Singapore, and adjunct professor, Daemen University MBA Program.

Humberto Hernandez, director of online learning and instructional design and assistant professor for the School of Business and Pharmacy at D’Youville University

Joshua Kovacich, director of information technology, Buffalo Public Schools

Location: Old Main 104

TRACK 2: BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT (INCLUDING HEALTHCARE)
PANELISTS
Jacob Michalski, software engineer, Moog Inc.

Justin Del Vecchio, PhD, assistant professor, Cybersecurity and Computer Science, Canisius University

Jamie Bono, co-founder and chief analytics officer, Wellconnected

Location: Old Main 223

THE MIXER FOLLOWS SESSIONS, IN THE OLD MAIN FACULTY LOUNGE (OM 109)

RSVP for August 17!

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI