First: why avoid the To Do list?

It may seem like a scary thing, or even a step backward, to not enable students to use the To Do list.

But the advantage is that students are then forced to go to the Home page of your class, and follow the learning path you have set for them.

Think about that for a moment. You've gone to a lot of trouble to make Modules or Pages to guide students through the readings, assignments, forums. But what students are using is just the task list for all their classes together, in a jumble. Some get through the week by just clicking on one task after another.

Create a robust syllabus and/or Home page

Without the To Do list, you need guidance for students in the Canvas site.

They'll need a robust syllabus that contains all the due dates, and/or a heavy-duty home page that lists everything that's due and when.

To do this, make a Home page:

go to Pages in the menu
select "View all pages"
click + Page at the top
create your fabulous home page and save
on your saved Page, use the vertical three dots to select "Use as Front Page"

then go to main page of the class and Choose a Home page on the right

(note - if you already have a Home page, the "Use as Home Page" option will be greyed out, and you’ll need to change the Home page using the vertical three dots when you edit that old Home page)

Here's some good instructions from the University of Pittsburgh.

Delete all assignment due dates (and page due dates if you have some)

You can do this easily on the Assignments page. Click on Edit Assignment Dates in the triple dot at the top right:

Then remove all the due dates:

If you've checked "Add to To Do List" on any Pages, you'll need to uncheck those on each Page.

The next page is all about using the To Do list robustly. Click Next if you'd still like to explore that option. If you're set on NOT using the To Do list, then jump ahead to learn more about Assignment Naming,