Creating Effective Pages in Canvas

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Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Instructions | Troubleshooting |

Creating well-structured pages in Canvas helps keep your modules organized and enhances student learning. This guide covers how to create pages that consolidate related files, images, and links, allowing students to preview content without downloading. It also highlights best practices for adding context, using text emphasis, and ensuring accessibility standards are met.

Prerequisites

  • Instructor access to a course
  • Relevant files (PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoints, images, etc.) prepared for uploading

Step-by-Step Instructions

To create an effective page in Canvas, do the following:

  1. Navigate to your Canvas course and select Pages from the course navigation menu.
  2. Select + Page to create a new page.
  3. Enter a descriptive title for your page.
  4. Use headings and subheadings to create a logical structure. To add a heading, highlight the text and select the appropriate heading level from the formatting toolbar.
  5. Add your content:
    • Text: Type your text directly into the editor. Use Bold or Italics sparingly to emphasize key points.
    • Files: To upload files (e.g., PDFs, Word documents), select Insert > Document > Upload Document and upload your files. Drag and drop these files into the page or use the Link option to insert them into your text.
    • Images: Select Insert > Image to upload and insert images. To choose an image you've already uploaded, choose Course Images. Otherwise, choose Upload Image. Ensure all images have appropriate Alt Text so that students with vision impairments or an unstable internet connection can still perceive them.
    • Links: To add links, select Insert > Link, or use the link button in the formatting toolbar. Instead of using a bare URL, use descriptive text in the text field.
  6. Add context to your items:
    • Provide instructions or action steps for each item. For example, "Complete the Chapter 2 reading assignment," "Print and bring this document to class," or "Refer to this file later in the semester."
  7. Use the formatting eraser tool (found at the top of the Editor window, possibly under the three dots menu) to clear any unwanted formatting and ensure text is clean and readable.
  8. Before saving the page, click on the Ally icon (a person in a circle) below the text editor to check for accessibility issues, such as missing Alt Text or improper heading structures.
  9. Once satisfied, choose Save & Publish to make the page available to students.

Troubleshooting

  • Links or images not working for students: If you copied and pasted links to files or images, these links might not work for students. Use the Canvas import tool or the Copy To option in the three dots menu to properly share content.
  • Formatting issues: If the page looks cluttered, reduce the use of multiple types of text emphasis and rely on headings and subheadings to organize content.
  • Accessibility concerns: Regularly check the Ally icon for accessibility issues and address them promptly.

Still need help? If you run into problems or still need help, reach out to the Technology & Learning Program or Canvas Support. 

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