Course Setup Videos

If you’re setting up your course for the first time, these step-by-step videos will walk you through the entire process. Whether you're starting from scratch or just need a refresher, follow along at your own pace.

✅ Already familiar with the setup process? Skip the walkthrough and go straight to the Course Setup Checklist for a quick reference.

How to use the course setup videos:

1. Watch the Videos: Start by watching each setup video in sequence.

2. Pause as Needed: Feel free to pause the video to follow along with each step.

3. Re-watch if Necessary: If you need clarification, re-watch the relevant sections.

4. Follow the Instructions: Use the video instructions to guide you through the setup process.

Step 1: How to Login and Basic Setup

Welcome to Bryan University! You’re about to teach your first class, and this video is your essential first step. Learn how to update your profile and time zone, set your notification preferences, and review the all-important “Note to Instructor” before you start building your course. These quick setup tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and get your class off to a smooth start. Let’s get you confidently prepared to teach!

Step 2 Instructor Welcome Page

In this video, you’ll learn how to personalize your Instructor Welcome Page inside your Canvas course shell. We walk you step-by-step through updating your name, adding a texting number, uploading a photo, and embedding your welcome video. Plus, get tips on how to make your video engaging, reusable, and supportive for students. By the end, your welcome page will be ready to connect, inform, and inspire your learners from day one!.

Step 3: Welcome Announcement

In this video, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to create a warm and informative welcome announcement for your students in Canvas. Learn how to access announcement templates from the Faculty Handbook, personalize your message, add important details like class times and office hours, insert images, and schedule your announcement for later. By the end, you’ll have a polished and engaging message ready to kick off your course with clarity and connection! Use this template

Step 4: Yellowdig

In this step-by-step video, you’ll learn how to set up your Yellowdig discussion space inside your course. We’ll guide you through selecting the correct organization (Bryan University Courses), configuring the point system, setting topic tags, and creating your first engaging Spark post. You’ll also discover tips for boosting student interaction and how to keep your weekly conversations dynamic by pinning posts. By the end, your Yellowdig Community will be ready to spark meaningful engagement from day one!

Tip for Your First Spark: Set clear participation expectations. Use a mix of point-enabled and non-point-bearing topic tags to balance graded engagement with optional discussion.

For courses with 5 students or fewer: The point configuration differs. Watch this short video for step-by-step guidance on setting up your Yellowdig community for smaller classes: Click Here

Step 5: Live Sessions (If applicable)

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create and manage your Zoom links for live sessions following Bryan University’s faculty handbook. We’ll walk through scheduling meetings, avoiding auto-recording (and why it matters), and editing existing links. Whether you have two sessions or eight, this guide will help you stay organized and compliant every step of the way! Remember all live sessions must occur during the following time block: Monday–Thursday, 6 am–7 pm (Pacific time), and Saturday, 6 am–10 am (Pacific time).

Step 6: Live Events Page & Office Hours

This video walks instructors through setting up the Live Events page in Canvas. It covers how to enter weekly class meeting times, create and link a “Study with Classmates” Zoom session, and set up office hours with flexible or fixed scheduling. The tutorial also explains how to clean up unused sections and ensure all links and time zones are clearly communicated, creating a streamlined and helpful resource for students.

Step 7: Due Dates, Gradebook and Student View

This video walks through the final steps to complete your course setup in Canvas. You’ll learn how to review and correct assignment dates, organize your Gradebook for easier tracking, use private notes for student insights, preview your course as a student, and finally publish the class and send a welcome message. These last touches ensure everything is ready for a smooth teaching experience.