Canvas Templates

Description:

Students had previously commented that faculty use Canvas in different ways so it can be difficult for them to know how to interact with their courses each semester. Faculty who mainly use Canvas as a document repository for their face-to-face classes are still using a legacy course design left over from the migration from Moodle. At year two of our Canvas implementation, more faculty are ready to learn how to use more advanced features and students are asking for more standardization between courses.

Screenshot of template home page

Objectives:

This project was planned during fall 2015 to rollout for fall 2016 with the following objectives:

• Standardization of course elements to provide a consistent experience for students
• Mandatory adoption by 100% of faculty for all fall course shells
• Specialized versions for Online, Hybrid, and Face-to-face modalities
• Provide foundation for adherence to Quality Matters Rubric standards
• Convert Word-based syllabus and schedule to Canvas pages
• Provide clear instructions and sample content for faculty
• Include Academic Integrity Pledge (quiz) for online students

Project Details:

I led a team to discuss objectives of the project. I took the teams suggestions/questions and developed a basic Canvas course including navigation, graphics, pages, and assignments with Quality Matters standards in mind. I then loaded the template into 6 courses for spring 2016 and solicited feedback weekly from students and faculty regarding likes/dislikes. At the end of the semester I modified the template to address concerns/issues and added a few additional features such as a graphic banner, nav buttons, and an at-a-glance section.

The course home page can be personalized to suit faculty needs:

• NUR 375: Maternity
• HS 308: Nemesis Disease and the Battle to Defeat It

Additional Details:

A Resources For Faculty module was created to house instructions, documents, and information that faculty need throughout the course

(screenshot below).

A Getting Started Module was created to house all of the information students need to know the week before class starts. The Start Course button on the home page links students directly to this module (screenshot below).

A Getting Started Checklist give students a quick reference guide to all of the items they are responsible for before they show up to the first day of class (screenshot below).

Students must take an Academic Integrity Pledge (built with the Quiz tool) before they can advance on to the next module in the course

(screenshot below).

The Syllabus section is pre-populated with an approved template along with instructions for completing the page (screenshot below).