News

Make hay while the sun shines! This adage applies to getting ready for Autumn session 2025 in the middle of the Southern Hemisphere summer. Subject sites will soon be published and made available to students – so, here’s your regular guide to the teaching session with a list of everything you need to get started. 

Main calendar subject sites will be published in Canvas from 10 February. For subjects on a different calendar, please check the key session dates website. 

Subject Information and Important Guidance in Canvas 

With the change in curriculum management system there have also been a few changes in Canvas. The main changes you’ll notice are: 

  • Subject Information link and format that replaces Subject Outlines
  • ‘Important guidance’ page providing student links and overviews of relevant policies and governance which are no longer found in subject information – ensure this page is published
  • Assessment Extension menu item for students to request an automatic 72hr extension – a resource to guide you on using this tool will be published soon

Remove the old Subject Outline link 

Remove the old Subject Outline link in your Canvas subject menu if it is still visible. If the subject outline is mentioned on any page, or if there are any redundant links to it, remove these also.. 

Update your Reading List in Canvas  

The new Subject Information area doesn’t have room for a reading list, so you will need to use the UTS library Reading List tool in Canvas for required and recommended texts. If you need more guidance on building reading lists, the UTS library are running drop-in sessions until the end of January. For new purchases or digitised copies of readings, please submit your request at least 4 weeks in advance.

REVIEW decommissioned 

Remember that REVIEW is longer available. If your Autumn subject uses REVIEW for assessment and would like support for updating your assessments, please book a consultation with the LDT Team. 

Before 10 February: get your subject site ready for students 

Before your site is published, check settings, dates and content – keep your updates on track with the step-by-step subject rollover checklist:


Ready to publish a subject in Canvas? Download

10 February: connect, communicate and offer support 

Kick things off with a welcome announcement to introduce yourself during O-week. Make sure students know how you will be communicating with them throughout the session, how they can access support, and expectations regarding academic integrity and use of GenAI. 

Ensure no students are enrolled in a staff role in your Canvas subject site. To add co-teachers, tutors and other staff to your Canvas site, follow our People in Canvas guide (there is a Tutor/Marker role available as well). 

Remind students that the option to request a 72-hour extension on assignments is available in Canvas. 

17 February: Week 1 

Give students space and support as they navigate your subject for the first time. Consider how you will build belonging and community in your teaching to boost students’ participation and engagement from the first tutorial. 

Communicate a subject schedule in Canvas 

The new subject information item does not have a weekly breakdown of topics and readings. To make sure that information is present elsewhere in your site, consider creating a subject schedule page.  

Each faculty has a Canvas site full of ready-made professional page layouts, module structures and design elements. These templates and elements are user-friendly and can be one-click copied into your Canvas site. 

Get access to your faculty templates site by signing up here. The site includes guidelines on how to copy and edit the templates. If you would like a private space in Canvas to explore and test site design, you can request a Canvas Sandpit. 

Help and support for students 

Here are some of the key student support resources: 

Help and support for staff

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