No matter which Learning Management System (LMS) your school uses—Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom, or another platform—this page is designed to support you in delivering high-quality distance learning. Our goal is to help you make the most of your LMS by sharing practical strategies, time-saving tips, and tools that enhance student engagement and learning. Whether you're just getting started or looking to improve your current setup, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Clearly display how and when students can contact you, including office hours, preferred methods (email, LMS messaging), and response time.
Add links to frequently used items like the syllabus, Zoom link, tech support, or current assignments so students don’t have to search.
Include a brief overview section that outlines what students should focus on each week or day, helping them stay organized and on track.
Organize content using a predictable weekly or unit-based module format so students always know where to start and what to do next.
Use clear and consistent titles for assignments, pages, and discussions to help students quickly identify expectations and due dates.
Incorporate emojis or icons (where appropriate) to make course content more scannable and engaging, especially for younger learners.
Keep navigation simple by limiting how many clicks it takes for students to reach core materials, increasing accessibility and focus.
Regularly check the student view feature to ensure your content appears and functions as intended from the learner’s perspective.
Structuring Digital Assignments
Design assignments with clear instructions, chunked tasks, and visible deadlines to reduce confusion and support independent completion.
Using Rubrics and Due Dates
Attach rubrics to assignments when possible, and use consistent due dates to set expectations and streamline grading across platforms.
Formative Assessment Strategies
Incorporate low-stakes checks for understanding such as exit tickets, quick polls, or embedded questions to monitor learning in real time.
Summative Assessment Tools
Use LMS quizzes, video submissions, or project-based uploads to assess student understanding in flexible, creative ways.
Use of Alt Text
Always include alt text for images so screen readers can convey visual content to students with visual impairments.
Color Contrast / Readable Fonts
Choose high-contrast color combinations and sans-serif fonts to improve readability for all learners.
Captioning and Transcripts
Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio materials to support students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or learning in a second language.
Descriptive Links
Avoid using "click here" for hyperlinks; instead, write descriptive link text so students understand where the link will take them.
Avoiding Text-Heavy Pages
Break up large blocks of text with headings, bullet points, or visuals to support processing and engagement for neurodiverse learners..
Keyboard Navigation
Ensure that your course materials can be navigated using only a keyboard and are compatible with screen readers.
LMS Accessibility Checkers
Learn how to use built-in accessibility checkers (e.g., Canvas Accessibility Checker) to review and fix common issues in your content.
For More on Accessibility...
Communicating with Students
Feedback to Students
Asynchronous Student Question
Peer-to-Peer Collaboration