How can I simplify the course menu for students?

This guide provides instructions for instructors on how to simplify the Canvas course navigation to make course materials and activities more accessible for students, enhancing the overall usability of the course.

Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Instructions | Troubleshooting |

This guide explains how to simplify your Canvas course navigation to enhance the student experience. By customizing the course navigation menu, instructors can make important course materials and activities more accessible and easier to find for students, thereby improving the overall course usability.

Prerequisites

• You should have instructor-level access to your Canvas course.
• Familiarity with the Canvas course settings and navigation options.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. From the course sidebar, select Settings.
2. Navigate to the Navigation tab at the top of the page.
3. To hide an unused tool or tab, drag it from the top section (visible to students) to the bottom section (hidden from students) or use the Settings icon (three vertical dots) next to each navigation item to hide it.
4. To avoid duplication, review your course structure. If all files are included in specific modules or quizzes appear in the assignments area, consider hiding the Files and Quizzes tabs to streamline navigation.
5. After making your adjustments, ensure to select Save at the bottom of the page to apply the changes.

Instructor View

Even with certain navigation links disabled, Canvas will still show them to the instructor:

Student View

Students do not see disabled navigation items, even for core Canvas tools:

Troubleshooting

• Changes Not Saving: Ensure you have clicked the Save button at the bottom of the navigation settings. If changes do not appear for students, try refreshing your browser or clearing the cache.
• Cannot Find a Tool: Some tools or tabs may be disabled at the account level. Refer to our guide on available integrations in Canvas for a list of tools that are available in Canvas (note that not all tools are available in the course navigation).

Still need help? Reach out to Canvas support or the Technology & Learning Program for further assistance.