Simple Syllabus FAQ for Canvas

Introduction

Contents

Edit, Download and Import Questions

Merged Courses Questions

Copying Simple Syllabus to other Courses Questions

Using Safari Browser Questions

Oh No! I got an error message!

How will students find my Simple Syllabus?

What is great about using the Simple Syllabus?

What other information is available to guide me in setting up Simple Syllabus?

Edit, Download and Import Questions

Q: After I edit the Simple Syllabus and click on Publish, can I go back and make the other changes to it? 

A: Yes. Simple Syllabus works like Google Docs or Microsoft Office 365 Docs in that it saves in the background as  you type. The Publish button publishes the syllabus. After a syllabus is published, it can still be edited and republished. 

Q: What's going on with my Canvas Assignment Schedule? Isn't it supposed to sync so when I change the due date in Canvas, it changes the due date in that section of the syllabus? 

A: Yes. Assuming you have the Canvas Assignment Schedule option toggled on in Simple Syllabus, this should work. If you notice any issues, please go into Simple Syllabus, click EDIT in the top right corner, scroll to the Canvas Assignment Schedule component, and click the resync icon. 

Q: I cannot edit my Simple Syllabus for the new term. Neither the link with instructions for the "Getting Started" nor the "Reuse and Edit an Existing Simple Syllabus" images match my term course shell.

A: Only faculty assigned to a section in PeopleSoft can edit the Simple Syllabus for the section. If you are not specified in PeopleSoft as the instructor,  you will not be able to access the Simple Syllabus. Also, it takes at least 24 hours for faculty to have access to a Simple Syllabus once they have been added in PeopleSoft. This means that if you were added in PeopleSoft today, as the instructor for the section, you will not be able to get to and edit the Simple Syllabus for 24 hours.

Q: How do I import a syllabus into my courses Simple Syllabus?
A: Click this Link for more information Reuse and Edit Your Simple Syllabus from Another Section or Term in Canvas
Q: How do I download a copy of the Simple Syllabus in case someone wants it or I want to view it after the course ends?

A: Go back into your Simple Syllabus click the edit button | scroll down and click Publish. You will then be presented with two links, one is to a webpage of the syllabus, the other is a link to the .pdf of the syllabus. If you copy the .pdf link and paste it into the browser it will load the .pdf, then at the top of that page you will see an option to save the .pdf.
Note: This could vary depending on the browser you are using. 


 

Merged Courses Questions

Q: Last time I had courses merged, there was a specific type of number that allowed Simple Syllabus to work in a merged course. This time when I tried to do my Simple Syllabus an error message occurred. Can you please guide me on how to fix this?
A: For merged courses, only one section number will show up from the merged sections. It is critical that if you have merged sections, you utilize the Merged section component at the top of the the Simple Syllabus and manually enter the section numbers that are part of the merge. Once sections are merged in PeopleSoft and Canvas, it will take at least 24 hours before that merged Simple Syllabus shows up and can be edited. 

Copying Simple Syllabus to other Courses Questions

Q: If I create a Simple Syllabus for a course, then later I make a complete copy of an old course shell, will the newly created Simple Syllabus be overwritten by the copied old course? 

A: Simple Syllabus is detached from the Canvas during the course copy process. Copying over content will have no impact on the Simple Syllabus. The Simple Syllabus can be completed without there being content in the shell. 

AND 

Once you go to the new offering of the course, simply click Syllabus to Activate it. If you have used Simple Syllabus in the past, it will populate in your new course. Please BE PATIENT, as it is only synced once a day and may not appear immediately. 
 

Using Safari Browser Questions

Q: What do I do if I am using the Safari browser and I am having issues? 

A: Simple Syllabus works with most browsers, bug Safari can be sometimes be problematic. 
Note: We recommend using the Chrome browser.    
 

Oh No! I got an error message!

Q: What is going on if I receive this error message? 

A: It could be several things. 

• You could be receiving this because you requested your courses to be merged and the merge has been processed. While your courses show up correctly, it could take more time for your Simple Syllabus to appear. Solution: Give it more time (as much as 24 hours more). If it doesn't appear after you've given it some time, put in a ticket.
• You could be receiving this error if you are not the instructor on record (in Peoplesoft) for the course. Only the instructor(s) listed in Peoplesoft will be able to edit the Simple Syllabus. 
• If neither of the above results apply to you, please contact us (see contact information below) so we can investigate the issue. 

How will students find my Simple Syllabus?

• Students can view any Simple Syllabus that is published to the Public by visiting the St. Petersburg College Simple Syllabus website. 
• Students that are in non-GenEd courses can only view the syllabus on the website above if the instructor posts it as Public. 
  • If the instructor does not post it as Public, a student can view it the Friday before the course opens. 

What is great about using the Simple Syllabus?

For students: 

• Students can easily find course information inside it because there is consistency in how the information is presented to them, i.e. the same items are located in the same places.

For instructors: 

• You can copy your Simple Syllabus across multiple courses.
• You can also import components from other syllabi across the college. The import process will be valuable once Course Coordinators have access to Simple Syllabi for Standard Courses. 
• Course Descriptions and Course Objectives sync over from the Approved Course Outline in META.
• You can publish your syllabus early, even if the rest of your course isn't ready. When you copy over your course content, the Simple Syllabus will remain intact. 
• If you type a textbook title in, the remaining contents will autofill. 
• Syllabus formatting remains consistent and can be adjusted for content copied in from an outside source. Be sure not to copy content directly from a Microsoft Word document. Instead, save the file as an .rtf file inside Word, or move to a Notepad file. 
• When an update to the main template is made, it will update through all SPC  without affecting the other components in your Simple Syllabi.
• You can place a video inside vs. just your picture to welcome students to your course.
• The dates for the course sync from PeopleSoft automatically.
• The Canvas Assignment schedule syncs over from the learning management system calendar (Canvas). 
   

What other information is available to guide me in setting up Simple Syllabus?

• Simple Syllabus Page inside the Faculty Support Group in the Titan Hub
• Simple Syllabus Import from Standard in Canvas
• How to Reuse and Edit Your Sim
• Getting Started using Simple Syllabus
• How to Reuse and Edit Your Simple Syllabus from Another Section or Term in Canvas

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team 
 
atst@spcollege.edu

 Phone at 727-341-3500

(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).
After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center

Phone at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu

Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities?

Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the Academic Technology Support Team