How do I Use the HSU Canvas Course Templates?
Canvas Commons is a repository of courses and resources that you can utilize in your own courses. You can find a link to the Canvas Commons on the Global Navigation menu on the left side. If you are developing a new course, HSU has created templates that you can import and revise for your own course. You can search for HSU Canvas Templates in the search field, where you will find four variations of HSU Templates, depending on your needs.
Template Variations - List and Descriptions of each
The main differences between the templates are the number of weeks each template contains and the information provided in the detailed versus the basic versions
Provides the basic structure for sixteen weeks of class. Includes a Home Page, a Start Here Module, a Weekly Overview Page, Discussions, Assignments, Quizzes, and Wrap-Ups. The activities can be adjusted to meet your needs and preferences. You may also delete whole modules all together.
Provides the basic structure for sixteen weeks of class. Includes a Home Page,a Start Here module, a weekly Overview page, Discussions, Assignments, Quizzes, and Wrap-Ups. The activities can be adjusted to meet your needs and preferences. You may also delete whole modules all together. Designed for instructors who already have an understanding of developing their Canvas course, but would like to simplify the process instead of starting from scratch.
Ideal for instructors new to Canvas. Provides a detailed structure for one week of class, and includes a variety of different resources to help build your course. Includes content provided in the Basic 1 Week Template and includes sample activities, documents, and resources.Integrates Quality Learning & Teaching (QLT) practices to help improve design and the effectiveness for greater student success.
Ideal for instructors new to Canvas. Provides a detailed structure for sixteen weeks of class, and includes a variety of different resources to help build your course. Includes content provided in the Basic 16 Week Template and includes sample activities, documents, and resources. Integrates Quality Learning & Teaching (QLT) practices to help improve design and the effectiveness for greater student success.
How to Download the Template
Once you decide which template will best suit your needs, you will be able to import the template into your course shell.
- Navigate to Canvas Commons
- Select your choice of template
- Locate “Import to Canvas” and click on the boxes associated with your Canvas Course you want to add the template to.
- Once selected, click Import into Course.
If the import is successful, a confirmation will appear at the top of the screen that reads, “You have successfully started the import!" Please note that it may take a while to see changes in your course. It should only take a few minutes, please be patient. If it takes longer, please try again.
Editing Your Course
Once the template is loaded into your course shell, it’s very easy to begin customizing the template. The template you selected will determine how much you edit or how much you add manually. Please click on each section to read its description and how to edit that particular section.
Each template includes a “Start Here” module. This is considered an introduction to the course. Introduce yourself, provide general student resources, and important information about the course; general information you should include is already provided in the templates.
The modules in each template have been organized in a weekly format. The modules can be changed to reflect topics, units, sections, or any other way in which you will present your content. The following links will provide more information about how to:
Each course template includes a sample syllabus template. You may follow this template and complete it using your own information, or you may upload your own information manually. Also consider uploading a Word document, or PDF of your syllabus to allow students to download. It’s important to note that the sample syllabus provided in the template follows the guidelines provided in the HSU Syllabi Policy and SyllabusAddendum, including accessibility requirements.
You may change and customize the template home page any way you would like. The home page can be designed to create a welcoming learning environment, provide valuable course resources, and to engage your learners. The template homepage has been provided as an example of the types of content you can include.
Each template includes a sample text on the weekly Overview page. It’s important to summarize the week’s material and expectations, list learning outcomes, to do’s, and any resources.
Each template includes a weekly Wrap Up. This helps students bridge their newly acquired knowledge to ideas they’ve learned in previous weeks. Make it fun, give students a time to reflect, give them a glimpse into next week’s expectations and encourage further thinking and processing.
