Course templates can help instructors get started quickly when faced with an empty course and little time. These templates can turn a blank shell into a fill-in-the-blank course. New instructors learn the advantage of a pre-built point of launch and seasoned users can take and modify the template without needing to start from zero.

Table of Contents

Part 1 - Importing Content into a Canvas Course Shell
Part 2 - Customizing Your Template and Publishing Your Course
Part 3 - Resources and Other Sample Courses/Course Components
Part 4 - Recorded presentation of Adapting to Remote Teaching

Part 1 | Importing Content Into Canvas Course Shell

Canvas export files can ONLY be read inside a Canvas course. Request a Sandbox (course shell) or use an existing Canvas course and import the package. Guide: How do I import a Canvas course export package?

Step 1 - Download the template course export file

- Ground to Online - simple Module set-up; Welcome Page for Home
- Adapting to Online - more detailed Module structure; module for each week, entries for each day; Modules is Home Page
- NEW! Synchronous Online Course Template - This template is intended to help you get started in designing courses that take place primarily through synchronous class sessions. Asynchronous learning will take place online and inside of Canvas. Synchronous class sessions will usually be conducted through live videoconferencing platforms. Click the link for additional information, detailed screen shots, and the export file, Synchronous.
- NEW! Asynchronous Online Course Template - This template is intended to help you get started in designing a course that is delivered fully online and without regularly scheduled class sessions (either in a traditional classroom or through live videoconferencing sessions). Click the link for additional information, detailed screen shots, and the export file, Asynchronous.
- NEW! Hybrid/Blended Course Template - This template is intended to help you get started in designing courses that have a "blend" of both traditional (in the classroom) and asynchronous online class sessions. Click the link for additional information, detailed screen shots, and the export file, Hybrid/Blended.

Click to Preview the Modules Page for Ground to Online and Adapting to Online

Step 2 - Import the export file into a sandbox or empty Canvas course

Part 2 | Customizing Your Template and Publishing Your Course

Selecting the "Home" button will take you to your new home page design. You can edit the page utilizing the Rich Content Editor or select a different Home.
Within the Modules button, you will find Modules that complement this template. The first Module, "For The Instructor" provides you with links to relevant Canvas Guides. The remaining Modules, like "Sample Module," contain sample materials that you can duplicate and customize. Please note, everything is unpublished by default. Don't forget to publish the materials you want your students to see and leave unused content/modules unpublished so students do not see the sample content.
If you don't publish the modules, pages, assignments, and the course itself, your students won't be able to see all of your hard work! Learn how to publish your course in the Canvas Guide: "How do I publish a course?"

Part 3 | Resources and Sample Courses/Course Components

Helpful blogs from the Canvas Community

- 2020 Course Design Essentials: Home Page and Sample Module Template
- 2020 Course Design Essentials: Design Tips for Pages
- Unpack Those Docs!* Best Practices for Course Design
- Improving Course Navigation Experience for Students
- Module Requirements - Canvas is More than a "To Do"

Canvas Commons

The course templates above are from Canvas Commons, a learning object repository that enables educators to find, import, and share resources. A digital library full of educational content, Commons allows Canvas users to share learning resources with other users as well as import learning resources into a Canvas course.

If you would like to see examples and models of online courses and components, search the Canvas Commons by topic or use the filter feature to narrow results. Many of the items included are downloadable and you can import them into your Canvas course, including these from UT Longhorn Wellness Center focusing on student well-being:

Part 4 | Recorded session of Adapting to Remote Teaching

PowerPoint slides and Zoom Recording