Course Set Up & Organization

Modules are organizational units that allow you to structure your course content logically. You can include pages, files, assignments, quizzes, and other course elements within modules to guide students through the material in a structured way. 

Modules help you control the flow of the course and present materials in a logical order. They can include links to pages, files, assignments, quizzes, discussions, and other activities. You can also control the visibility of modules and set requirements for accessing them.

Tip: Organize your modules by week, unit, or topic to create a clear structure for your course. Using modules helps students navigate the course and stay on track with their learning.

Text headings are a crucial element in organizing content within your Canvas modules. They help structure your course content, making it easier for students to navigate and understand the material. Here’s how you can effectively use text headings in your Canvas modules:

To add a text heading to a module:

1. Navigate to the Modules section of your course.
2. Select the + button next to the module where you want to add a text heading.
3. From the dropdown menu, select Text Header.
4. Enter your desired heading title and select Add Item.

Advanced Module Options: Links to an external site.

1. Locking Modules: You can lock modules until a specific date and time, ensuring students focus on current material before moving on to new content. This helps maintain a steady pace and keeps students on the same schedule.
• Tip: Use locking to keep your class on track and prevent students from working too far ahead.
2. Sequential Viewing: Require sequential viewing to ensure students complete one module item before moving on to the next. This is useful for maintaining a logical progression through the material.
• Tip: Sequential viewing is great for building on concepts and ensuring students understand each step before moving forward.
3. Prerequisites and Requirements: You can set prerequisites and requirements for modules to control the order in which students access them. For example, you can require students to view all items in a welcome module before accessing subsequent modules.
• Tip: Setting prerequisites and requirements helps ensure students complete foundational material before advancing to more complex topics.

1. In the course navigation menu, select Pages.
2. Select + Page to create a new page.
3. Enter a Page Name and use the text editor to add your content—text, images, videos, and links.
4. Customize settings like the page URL and visibility options if needed.
5. Select Save to save your page.
6. Your page is now ready for students to view. You can edit it anytime by returning to the Pages section.

OR  

1. Navigate to the Modules section in your course.
2. Select the + icon next to the module where you want to add the page.
3. Select Add Page from the dropdown menu.
4. Enter a Page Name for your new page.
5. Use the text editor to add content such as text, images, videos, or links to external resources.
6. Customize any additional settings such as page URL or visibility options if needed.
7. Select Save to create and add the page to the selected module.
   
   

A well-designed Canvas home page serves as a central hub for your course, providing students with essential information and easy navigation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an effective home page:

1. Navigate to your course in Canvas.
2. Select Pages in the course menu.
3. Select View All Pages, then select + Page to create a new page.
4. Enter a title for your home page (e.g., "Welcome to [Course Name]").
   
   Did you know you can add pages to your students' "to-do list"? If you're assigning a reading, video, or any other activity, we highly recommend doing so. It helps students know exactly what you want them to do.
   Add page to student "to-do" list Links to an external site. 

Files can be almost any type of electronic item you can create!

You can easily upload files to your course and link them from anywhere within the course. Many file types can be previewed directly in Canvas, allowing students to view the content without downloading. However, it's not necessarily recommended to directly upload files into a module in Canvas for a couple of reasons:

To-Do List Integration: When you upload a file directly into a module, it doesn't automatically appear in the course's To-Do list for students. The To-Do list is often students' favorite Canvas feature as it helps to track assignments, readings, and other tasks efficiently. 

Lack of Cohesion: Uploading files directly to modules can lead to a lack of cohesion in course organization. Modules are designed to sequence learning materials logically, guiding students through the course content in a structured manner. Files uploaded independently may disrupt this flow and make it harder for students to navigate and understand the course structure.