Adapting to Online - Templates

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

Step 1 - Download the template course export file

• • Ground to Online Download Ground to Online - simple Module set-up; Welcome Page for Home
  • Adapting to Online Download 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.
    
    

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

1. Open the Canvas course in which you'd like to upload the template. 
   Note: We recommend that you load each package into a separate empty course shell in order to prevent the potential overriding of your current course content. 
   
2. Select "Settings" from the course navigation menu.
3. Select "Import Course Content"  from the right-side menu and complete the following:
   • For Content Type, select "Canvas Course Export Package"
   • For Source, select "Choose File" and then locate the template file you've just downloaded (typically found in the Downloads folder on your computer) and unzipped
   • Select the file and then "Open"
4. For Content, select "All content"
   • Or, "Select specific content" to import only portions of the template (i.e., sample pages, buttons and banners, etc.)
5. Finally, select "Import"
   • • Or, "Select Content" to check off which items you would like to import into your course
     • Content can be individual items or a content group. To view content within a group, click the arrow to expand.
     • How do I select specific content as part of a course import? Links to an external site.
6. A green box with the words "Completed" will appear once the upload is complete.  The content will now be uploaded to your course!

 

Part 2 | Customizing Your Template and Publishing Your Course

1. 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 Links to an external site..

2. 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. 

3. 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 Links to an external site.
  • 2020 Course Design Essentials: Design Tips for Pages Links to an external site.
  • Unpack Those Docs!* Best Practices for Course Design Links to an external site.
  • Improving Course Navigation Experience for Students Links to an external site.
  • Module Requirements - Canvas is More than a "To Do" Links to an external site.
    
    

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:

• • Physical Health (during COVID-19)
  • Healthy Relationships (during COVID-19)
  • Social Connections and Community (during COVID-19)
  • Mental Health (during COVID-19)

 

Part 4 | Recorded session of Adapting to Remote Teaching

PowerPoint slides Download PowerPoint slides

and Zoom Recording Links to an external site.