Canvas Course Design Best Practices

When designing a course in Canvas, there are several best practices that can help you create an effective and engaging learning experience for your students. Here are five top course design best practices:

1. Clear and Consistent Organization: Organize your course content in a clear and consistent manner to help students easily navigate and find what they need. Use modules to group related materials, assignments, and resources. Provide clear instructions and labels for each module and ensure a logical flow from one module to another.

2. Engaging Course Homepage: Create an engaging and informative course homepage that serves as a central hub for your students. Include a welcome message, course objectives, important announcements, and a course calendar. Use images, videos, or other multimedia elements to make the homepage visually appealing and engaging.

3. Well-Structured Modules: Design each module with a clear structure that guides students through the learning materials. Start with an introduction or overview of the module’s objectives, provide learning resources (readings, videos, etc.), include interactive activities or discussions, and end with an assessment or assignment. Clearly communicate the learning outcomes for each module.

4. Multimedia and Interactive Elements: Incorporate multimedia elements such as videos, audio clips using Canvas Studio and create interactive activities to enhance student engagement and understanding. Use multimedia strategically to explain complex concepts, demonstrate examples, or provide alternative perspectives. Include interactive elements like quizzes, discussions, or collaborative assignments to foster active learning.  

5. Regular Communication and Feedback: Establish regular communication channels with your students to keep them informed and engaged. Use Canvas announcements, discussion boards, or messaging features to provide updates, answer questions, and facilitate discussions. Provide timely feedback on assignments, assessments, and discussions to help students gauge their progress and improve their learning.

Remember, these are just a few best practices, and there are many other factors to consider when designing a course in Canvas. It’s important to align your course design with your learning objectives, consider the needs and preferences of your students, and continuously evaluate and refine your course based on student feedback and assessment results.

NOVA Course Designers can assist with the best practices for your Canvas courses. Book an appointment today!

Submitted by:
Johnna Denny, CETSS, JDenny@nvcc.edu