[vc_row][vc_column][vcj_empty_space height=”40px”][vcj_heading heading=”h1″ style=”style1″ text_color=”#505050″ font_bold_weight=”900″ weight=”300″ size=”xl” animation_speed=”2″ animation_delay=”0″]

Canvas Course Setup

[/vcj_heading][vcj_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Setting up your course in Canvas in preparation for AY23/24 does not have to be complicated. This guide outlines a number of important steps, with short video tutorials included along the way, to guide you in creating a rich online learning experience for your students.[/vc_column_text][vcj_empty_space height=”10px”][vcj_heading heading=”h1″ style=”style1″ text_color=”#505050″ font_bold_weight=”900″ weight=”300″ size=”xl” animation_speed=”2″ animation_delay=”0″]

Before You Begin

[/vcj_heading][vc_column_text]VLE Minimum Standards ChecklistBefore you begin to update your course in Canvas, we encourage you to take a look at the QUB Canvas Course Checklist of VLE Minimum Standards.

In response to QUB Student feedback, in March 2022, the Canvas Course Co Design Project was established. The goal of the project was to create a solution that would improve the user experience for all students and ensure greater consistency in the way that Canvas is used. Staff and Students from across the university worked together to develop a framework that would ensure a “Student-first” approach to course development in Canvas. A set of  VLE Minimum Standards were co-designed by students to reflect the minimum expectations that Queen’s students have when accessing their courses in Canvas. As you step through the course setup steps outlined below, we recommend taking the opportunity to reflect on how this resource can support your Canvas course development and help to identify aspects of your course or existing activities that might be enhanced.

ℹ For a full list of resources available to support the application of VLE Minimum Standards, visit: https://linktr.ee/VLEMinimumStandards [/vc_column_text][vcj_empty_space height=”10px”][vcj_heading heading=”h1″ style=”style1″ text_color=”#505050″ font_bold_weight=”900″ weight=”300″ size=”xl” animation_speed=”2″ animation_delay=”0″]

4 Steps from Preparation to Publishing

[/vcj_heading][vcj_accordion testimonials=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22STEP%201.%20Preparation%22%2C%22content%22%3A%22%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%C2%A0Reset%20your%20Module%20Development%20Area%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnLive%20Academic%20Modules%20are%20now%20available%20in%20Canvas%20for%20AY23%2F24%20(as%20of%2021%20August%202023).%20%5Cn%5CnUse%20Module%20Development%20Areas%20(MDAs)%20as%20a%20safe%20place%20to%20prepare%20content%20and%20activities%20as%20this%20is%20a%20space%20which%20is%20not%20visible%20to%20students.%C2%A0%20Watch%20the%20video%20below%20to%20understand%20why%20you%20would%20reset%20your%20MDA%20for%20the%20purpose%20of%20module%20development.%20%5B3%3A02min%5D%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FCvSzBL3qMpI%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3Ereset%20your%20Module%20Development%20Area%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Cstrong%3ENote%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20For%20Live%20Academic%20Modules%20that%20are%20new%20(i.e.%20that%20did%20not%20exist%20last%20year)%20staff%20can%20request%20that%20a%20Module%20Development%20Area%20(MDA)%20is%20created.%20To%20do%20so%2C%20please%20submit%20a%20support%20ticket%20through%20the%20Help%20button%20in%20Canvas.%20These%20new%20MDAs%20will%20be%20empty%2C%20therefore%20when%20following%20the%20normal%20course%20setup%20process%2C%20staff%20can%20skip%20the%20step%20to%20%E2%80%98Reset%20your%20MDA%E2%80%99%20of%20any%20existing%20content.%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%C2%A0%20Copy%20Content%20from%20last%20year’s%20Academic%20Module%20into%20your%20MDA%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnThe%20next%20step%20is%20to%20import%20the%20content%20from%20last%20year’s%20academic%20module%20into%20your%20blank%20MDA%20to%20create%20a%20starting%20point%20for%20the%20development%20of%20next%20year’s%20academic%20module%20ahead%20of%20the%20new%20semester.%20This%20short%20video%20will%20show%20you%20how%20to%20do%20it.%20%5B3%3A42%20min%5D%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fpy11QUHDE3A%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EImport%20last%20year’s%20content%20to%20Development%20Area%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%C2%A0%20%C2%A0Import%20New%20QUB%20Templates%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnA%20suite%20of%20Canvas%20VLE%20Templates%20has%20been%20created%20for%20use%20in%20AY23%2F24.%20The%20aim%20of%20the%20templates%20is%20to%20support%20the%20application%20of%20new%20VLE%20Minimum%20Standards%20for%20QUB%20Canvas%20courses.%20Templates%20available%20for%20import%20include%20the%20Homepage%2C%20the%20Course%20Overview%20module%2C%20the%20Week%201%20example%20module%20and%20the%20full%20course%20template.%20The%20templates%20can%20be%20found%20by%20navigating%20to%20Canvas%20Commons%20via%20the%20global%20navigation%20menu%20and%20searching%20for%20%5C%22QUB%20Canvas%20Templates%5C%22.%20Review%20the%20templates%20and%20decide%20if%20you%20would%20like%20to%20import%20any%20of%20them%20into%20your%20MDA%20to%20fast%20track%20your%20course%20development.%20The%20links%20below%20provide%20more%20information%20with%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20do%20this.%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FqO2pwfsqbT4%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EImport%20Template%20Pages%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20from%20Canvas%20Commons%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%F0%9F%94%97%20Link%20to%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20import%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22http%3A%2F%2Fgo.qub.ac.uk%2FCanvas-VLE-Templates%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ECanvas%20VLE%20Templates%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20from%20Canvas%20Commons%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%22%2C%22icon%22%3A%22fa%20fa-chevron-down%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22STEP%202.%20Building%20your%20Course%22%2C%22content%22%3A%22%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%20Create%2FUpdate%20Your%20Homepage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnEnsure%20that%20your%20course%20has%20a%20Homepage%20(Minimum%20Standard%20%231)%20to%20greet%20students%20each%20time%20they%20access%20your%20course.%20Keep%20it%20simple%2C%20all%20you%20need%20is%20a%20short%20welcome%20message.%20Follow%20the%20steps%20in%20this%20short%20video%20to%20see%20how%20to%20quickly%20and%20easily%20create%20a%20new%20Homepage%20or%20update%20an%20existing%20one%20%5B2%3A51%20min%5D%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FV2Ww_fMTIgI%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreate%2FUpdate%20Your%20Homepage%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%C2%A0%20Create%20a%20Learner%20Journey%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnBuild%20a%20framework%20for%20your%20course%20content%20so%20students%20can%20easily%20navigate%20through%20the%20learning%20materials%20in%20a%20meaningful%20and%20consistent%20way%20(e.g.%20weeks%2C%20units%2C%20themes%20or%20topics).%20Minimum%20Standards%20%232%2C%20%233%2C%20%234%20and%20%235%20are%20all%20centred%20around%20the%20learner%20journey.%20This%20video%20will%20show%20you%20how%20organise%20your%20canvas%20course%20using%20the%20’Canvas%20Modules’%20feature.%20%5B6%3A38%20min%5D%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F2_6FRQQnfMo%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreate%20a%20Learner%20Journey%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%C2%A0%20Guide%20Learning%20with%20Requirements%20and%20Prerequisites%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnDecide%20how%20you%20want%20to%20release%20content%20and%20activities%20to%20guide%20learners%20through%20your%20course%20material.%C2%A0%20To%20understand%20how%20the%20Requirements%20and%20Prerequisites%20features%20can%20be%20used%20(independently)%20to%20help%20guide%20learning%2C%20watch%20the%20following%20video.%C2%A0%20%5B8%3A28%20min%5D%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FEMSwh_pw6O8%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EGuide%20Learning%20with%20Requirements%20and%20Prerequisites%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%22%2C%22icon%22%3A%22fa%20fa-chevron-down%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22STEP%203.%20Digital%20Accessibility%22%2C%22content%22%3A%22%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%20Digital%20Accessibility%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnMinimum%20Standard%20%237%20contains%20important%20elements%20to%20consider%20in%20relation%20to%20the%20accessibility%20of%20your%20course.%20To%20understand%20why%20accessibility%20is%20so%20important%20and%20to%20become%20more%20knowledgeable%20about%20its%20positive%20impact%20on%20inclusion%20and%20the%20learner%20experience%2C%20see%20the%20link%20to%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22http%3A%2F%2Fgo.qub.ac.uk%2FAccessibilityToolkit%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%20rel%3D%5C%22noopener%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EAccessibility%20Toolkit%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%20which%20is%20%20a%20self-paced%20course%20where%20you%20can%20work%20independently%20through%20the%20content%2C%20at%20a%20time%20that%20suits%20you.%C2%A0%20In%20the%20course%2C%20you%20will%20find%20numerous%20resources%20to%20inform%20and%20build%20awareness%20around%20accessibility%20for%20all%20staff%20who%20engage%20with%20students%20and%20develop%20content.%C2%A0You%20can%20view%20the%20short%20welcome%20video%20to%20the%20course%20below%20%5B2%3A42%5D%5Cn%5Cn%F0%9F%94%97%20Link%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22http%3A%2F%2Fgo.qub.ac.uk%2FAccessibilityToolkit%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%20rel%3D%5C%22noopener%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EThe%20Accessibility%20Toolkit%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%20course%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20a%20video%20introduction%20to%20the%20Accessibility%20Toolkit%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FchgQuvdFLvY%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%C2%A0%3Chr%20%2F%3E%22%2C%22icon%22%3A%22fa%20fa-chevron-down%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22STEP%204.%20Import%2C%20Review%20and%20Publish%22%2C%22content%22%3A%22%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%C2%A0%C2%A0%20Import%20Content%20and%20Review%20your%20Course%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnOnce%20you%20have%20developed%20your%20course%20content%20in%20the%20Module%20Development%20Area%20(MDA)%2C%20you%20will%20need%20to%20import%20this%20content%20into%20the%20new%20Academic%20Module%20that%20has%20active%20student%20enrolments%2C%20ahead%20of%20the%20new%20semester.%5Cn%5CnAn%20important%20step%20before%20you%20publish%20is%20to%20check%20your%20course%20against%20the%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22http%3A%2F%2Fgo.qub.ac.uk%2FChecklist-GoLive%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%20rel%3D%5C%22noopener%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EGo%20Live%20Checklist%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E.%20The%20Checklist%20outlines%20steps%20that%20are%20recommended%20in%20preparation%20for%20publishing%20your%20course%20before%20the%20start%20of%20each%20term.%20%5Cn%5CnCanvas%20can%20also%20check%20your%20course%20for%20broken%20links%20using%20the%20%3Cstrong%3E%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.canvaslms.com%2Ft5%2FInstructor-Guide%2FHow-do-I-validate-links-in-a-course%2Fta-p%2F1001%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%20rel%3D%5C%22noopener%5C%22%3ECanvas%20Link%20Checker%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E.%20Any%20embedded%20resources%20must%20be%20checked%20manually.%20It%20is%20important%20to%20check%20that%20the%20links%20in%20your%20course%20are%20working%20as%20expected%20before%20you%20publish%20the%20course.%20%5Cn%5CnYou%20can%20also%20adjust%20your%20Course%20Navigation%20menu%20so%20that%20students%20see%20only%20the%20links%20they%20need%20to%20(Minimum%20Standard%20%233).%20The%20video%20below%20shows%20you%20how%20to%20do%20this%20%5B1%3A58%20min%5D.%20%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DqzRhGfrlOJc%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ERemove%20and%20Reorder%20Navigation%20Links%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%3Chr%20%2F%3E%5Ct%5Cn%5Cn%3Cstrong%3E%E2%97%BC%20%20Publish%20your%20new%20Academic%20Module%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%5Cn%5CnThe%20final%20step%20is%20to%20make%20your%20Canvas%20course%20visible%20to%20students.%20Publish%20your%20new%20Academic%20Module%20so%20your%20students%20can%20access%20the%20content%20and%20activities.%20Remember%20there%20are%203%20levels%20to%20publishing%20your%20content%2Fcourse.%20%20This%20short%20video%20will%20show%20you%20how%20%3Cstrong%3EImport%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20and%20%3Cstrong%3EPublish%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20so%20that%20students%20can%20access%20your%20canvas%20course.%20%5B3%3A31%20min%5D%5Cn%5Cn%E2%96%B6%20%20Link%20to%20video%20guidance%20for%20step%20by%20step%20instructions%20on%20how%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%5C%22https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FqHf1UozxuAA%5C%22%20target%3D%5C%22_blank%5C%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublish%20your%20new%20Academic%20Module%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%5Cn%5Cn%3Chr%2F%3E%22%2C%22icon%22%3A%22fa%20fa-chevron-down%22%7D%5D” collapsed=”” icon=”icon-options” icon_close=”icon-options-vertical” style=”style3″ border_color=”#ffffff” icon_color=”#8d8d8d” text_color=”#8d8d8d”][vcj_empty_space height=”30px”][vcj_heading heading=”h1″ style=”style1″ text_color=”#505050″ font_bold_weight=”900″ weight=”300″ size=”xl” animation_speed=”2″ animation_delay=”0″]

Need Help?

[/vcj_heading][vc_cta h2=”” shape=”square”]If you would like some guided support with course design, why not schedule a 1-2-1 consultation? We also offer a number of helpful training resources throughout the year. Check out the Training Events Calendar for AY23/24 support.[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vcj_single_image image=”10195″ size=”full” radius=”0″ lightbox=”1″ overlay=”disabled” animation_speed=”2″ animation_delay=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row]