Key Dates

• New to Canvas? Learn with us. Join the Canvas Basics Zoom workshop on January 11th at Noon.
• Students added to Canvas on Friday, January 5th
  View course rosters and student email addresses in Enterprise Self-Service.
• Spring 2024 courses open to students on Tuesday, January 16th at 12:01 a.m.
• Fall 2023 courses close Friday, January 12th

Where is My Online Course Site?

You will find your Spring 2024 course on Canvas.

If you don't see your courses, but are listed as the instructor on the Course Schedule, then contact COLRS and we will assist you. If your are not listed as the instructor, then contact your Dean's office to be added to the official Course Schedule.

Talking to Your Students about Generative AI in Your Course

Whether you want to encourage or discourage students' use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in your course, syllabus statements are a great way to frame the conversation about generative AI with your students. COLRS has created a common document for UIS instructors to share the generative AI syllabus statements. This document is visible and editable only when you are logged into Google with your UIS account. Please feel free to log in and share your statement or send it to COLRS staff for it to be added on your behalf.

You might also find the UIS syllabus and assignment icons useful. The icons represent common approaches to generative AI use for course policies and assignments. These icons have been adapted from the Oregon State Syllabus and Assignment AI Icon Project. Icons can be downloaded from Box. 

COLRS frequently updates a resource page on generative AI (like ChatGPT). You'll find resources on background information, assignment design, academic integrity, and more.

Syllabus Resources

• Lance Eaton, from College Unbound, is collecting classroom policies on AI.
• The Sentient Syllabus Project has some language to consider. 
• Check out Ryan Watkin's Update Your Course Syllabus for ChatGPT on Medium. 

Teaching Resources and Common Tasks

Commons Canvas Tasks and Topics

The Canvas for Instructors page on the COLRS website has useful information for faculty, including: combining Canvas course sections into a single course site; copying Canvas course content; creating an inviting course home page; customizing your view of the Canvas dashboard; and student preferred names. 

• Canvas Basics Workshop – January 11th at Noon on Zoom. Join at https://go.uis.edu/colrszoom
• Canvas courses for previous terms are visible under All Courses.
• Instructor Tutorials: The COLRS website contains information about online teaching and specific information about our Canvas site. The Canvas Instructor Guide provides detailed information on individual Canvas tools.
• Student Tutorials: Tutorial videos and a recording of an ITS student Canvas training are available. Consider sharing this with your students.

Accessibility in Online Courses

Digital accessibility is legally-required for all online courses. View our accessibility resources for online teaching or reach out to the COLRS Digital Accessibility Remediation Team to have your materials remediated for accessibility. 

Resources & Course Reserves from Brookens Library

The UIS Brookens Library offers electronic course reserves and streaming media. The resources meet accessibility standards. Faculty submit request forms for these resources. Many journal articles and other items from the library databases can be linked in your Canvas course. Learn to access Library Databases off campus.

UIS Syllabus Template

Please update your syllabi using the updated UIS accessible syllabus template on the Academic Affairs website. Or, you may work with COLRS to create an accessible syllabus in Canvas or import the accessible template from Canvas Commons.

Online Test Proctoring

UIS offers several tools to support online exams, including Respondus Monitor, Zoom proctoring through the UIS Testing Center, and Examity live video proctoring. Learn more on our Academic Integrity and Test Proctoring page. If you are planning on using Examity live proctoring for online tests this semester, please let COLRS know to add your course to the list.

COLRS Support for Instructors

Office Hours
Join the COLRS team – Carrie, Taylor, and Emily -- for open office hours on Zoom at 10 a.m. on weekdays (central time). 

One-to-One Support
Please feel free to call, or email us with questions or to set up an appointment. 

• Phone: 217-206-7317
• Email: colrs@uis.edu 
• Book a one-on-one appointment with COLRS staff!

COLRS Events & Teaching Tips
See the COLRS events on our home page for all workshops and training sessions. Teaching tips will be sent to full- and part-time faculty email lists periodically during the term. Feel free to email us an idea for a workshop or tip!

Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service
1 University Plaza, MS-428, Springfield, IL 61703
+1 217-206-7317  |  Connect with COLRS staff