Question
Course Leaf SYL: How to Edit and Publish a Syllabus in CourseLeaf SYL
Answer
Edits can be made to syllabi that are in draft status (in progress) and to syllabi that have already been published.
1. Understanding the Editor Window and Dialog Boxes
2. More Helpful Resources on Understanding Editing, Visibility and Access Settings
3. What to Do When You Are Ready to Publish Your Syllabi
4. What to Do If You Forgot to Add Information After Publishing Your Syllabus
5. What Happens Next?
1. First, navigate to the https://nextcatalog.ysu.edu or access this site from the Advisor/Faculty Dashboard card in the YSU portal by clicking on the Syllabus Repository (CourseLeaf) link.
2. Select the Syllabus Repository card on the right, when the page opens
3. Under Search Syllabi:
- Type a keyword for the course title, subject, or last name.
- Use the drop‑down menu below to select your academic term.
- Select Advanced Search to filter by specific parameters using the drop‑down menus next to each line item.
- Type the instructor’s name directly into the text field.
4. If you need to make changes to your search results, select reset to start the search process over.
5. Click on the Search button when you are ready to apply the search parameters.
6. Now select the course syllabus you want to edit from the Search Results to the right.
7. Scroll down to All Sections and select the course sections you want to edit (if more than one is available)
7a. Click on Draft Syllabus or Syllabus hyperlink under the Syllabus section
8.
The syllabus will open in a new window. Select the Edit Page button to begin editing.
9. The page will open in Editor Mode
a. A notification will appear at the top of the page confirming that you are in Editor Mode.
b. You will see an editing box for each category. Sections that can be edited are marked with a green square containing a pencil icon.
c. Sections that cannot be edited will not display the green square with the pencil icon.
1. This editor functions much like a standard word-processing tool (such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs) and allows you to enter and format text directly within the syllabus.
You can:
- Type text into the main editing area.
- To use the paste feature select the paste as plain text button in the editor when copying and pasting text (highlighted for reference)
- Apply basic formatting such as bold, italics, bullet lists, and headings
- Use the toolbar at the top of the editor to format content
1a. Paste your copied text directly into the Paste as Plain Text window.
Select the OK button when you are finished in this area, then select OK in the editor to save your updates.
2.
Editing Instructor Information
The Instructor Information section is divided into three parts:
Instructor Information automatically populated from the SIS system.
Public Instructor Information - visible to the public
Private Instructor Information - visible to anyone logged into YSU.
First Instructor Information Section:
(Do NOT edit this section. Instead, use the Public and Private sections to add additional instructor information. If you want to add your photo, it can be added in this section)
This section will be PUBLIC.
Select the editing pencil next to the first instructor section
a. Click the plus (+) icon to add additional instructor(s).
b. Select the trash can icon to delete an instructor.
c. Use the arrow icons to reorder instructors within the row.
d. Click the text editor (pencil) icon to insert instructor photo only.
e. Click Save when you are finished editing to apply your changes.
Public Instructor Information Section:
For public posting of syllabi, this section MUST include the following fields: professional qualifications (e.g., Ph. D., English Literature, The Ohio State University, 2005); office phone number; and office location.
Private Instructor Information Section:
May contain Instructor's student support hours, cell phone, and any other student-facing information should be included here. Consider including availability for a variety of access types (in-person, virtual, email).
Communication Expectations: Provide students with guidance on expected turnaround time when they contact you (i.e., you typically respond to email within 24 hours). Provide students with guidance on when they should expect assignments/assessments to be graded.
3.
Editing Textbook Information
Use the options shown below to manage textbook details:
a. Select the Group drop‑down menu to choose the textbook material type (for example, Required or Optional).
b. Type the Title, Author, and ISBN into their designated text fields.
c. Click the plus (+) icon to add additional textbook information on a new line.
d. Select the trash can icon to delete textbook information from the line.
e. Use the arrow icons to reorder textbook information within the row.
When you are finished making changes, click Save to apply your updates.
4.
Editing Assessment Information
Use the options shown below to manage assessment details:
a. Select the Grading Type from the drop‑down menu to define how assessments will be evaluated (for example, Percent, Points, or Pass/Fail).
b. Click the plus (+) icon to add assessment details. A second editor window will open, allowing you to enter assessment information.
When you are finished making changes, click Save to apply your updates.
5.
Editing the Schedule of Topics and Assignments
Use the options shown below to build and update the Schedule of Topics and Assignments:
a. Type a Schedule Title in the Schedule Title field.
b. Select the Schedule Type from the drop down menu (Daily or Weekly) to determine how the schedule will be displayed.
When the schedule is generated, enter details such as readings, proposed topics, and preparation items directly into the table.
Article: Course Leaf SYL: How to Edit and Publish a Syllabus Using SYL
Video Resource - Complete Syllabus System Walkthrough
Video Resource - Overview of the Page Actions Toolbar in Course Leaf SYL
Video Resource - How to Fill Out Instructor Information
Video Resource - Edit SYL (Additional Course Material): Visibility Options, Refreshing Data, Hyperlinks, Adding Photos
Video Resource - Edit SYL: Updating the Grading Scale!
Video Resource - Edit SYL: AI Policy!
Video Resource - Edit SYL: Policy Information and What You Need to Know!
Video Resource - Edit SYL (Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals): Best Practices
Video Resource - How to Manually Enter information in the Assignments/Assessments Section
Video Resource - How to Manually Enter Information in the Schedule of Topics Section
Video Resource - How can Blackboard Assignment Data be Integrated into a Syllabus
What to Do When You Are Ready to Publish Your Syllabi
1. Video Resource-Publish Page SYL: Best Practices and What You Should Know After Publishing Your Syllabi
1. Go the next site https://nextcatalog.ysu.edu
2.
Select Pending under the Items tab to access and edit your syllabi.
Video Resouce: Editing Your Syllabus Post‑Publication: What You Need to Know
The department chair will review your syllabus. They will have the option to:
-
Edit the syllabus for minor revisions
-
Return the syllabus to the author if more information is required
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Approve and publish the syllabus once it meets all requirements
As the author of the syllabus, you will receive an email notification describing the current status of your submission. Please take a moment to read this knowledge base article Course Leaf SYL: How to Approve a Syllabus for Department Chairsfor more details on how a syllabus gets approved.