Launching into Fall: Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) Orientation

Empowering your teaching success. 

At the University of Alberta, we strive to prepare students to become “well-rounded graduates who are positioned to drive change, think and engage critically, lead in new and emerging fields and enhance connections between Alberta and the world.”

About

Academic Teaching Staff (sessional instructors) play a vital role in delivering exceptional learning experiences at the U of A, and Canvas—the U of A's learning management system (LMS) for all for-credit courses—is the digital hub where much of that teaching and learning happens. This evening orientation is designed to fit your schedule and give you what you need to launch your course with confidence, including practical, hands-on guidance to get your Canvas site ready fast so you can focus on teaching from day one.

What you'll leave with

This ATS Orientation—Canvas Edition is designed for a fast, practical start, giving you the core tools and confidence you need in a single, evening-friendly session. You’ll walk away with:

• A ready-to-run Canvas course shell with homepage, modules, assignments, gradebook, and student-friendly navigation

• Clarity on assessment and grading in Canvas (SpeedGrader, rubrics, Gradebook, weighting)

• Awareness of accessible, student-centred course design resources and U of A templates you can adapt quickly

• An introduction to using key Canvas integrations

• Information about ongoing supports and resources to guide you through the fall term

Eligibility + Registration

The Academic Teaching Staff (ATS) Orientation is specifically designed for the U of A’s academic teaching staff.

If you have any questions about the ATS Orientation, please do not hesitate to contact  ctlevent@ualberta.ca .