Modules are Canvas’ vehicle to add content and organize a course sequentially. Modules bring together files, assignments, discussions, quizzes and pages that allow you to organize your content in a linear, successive progression.
Modules provide a structured progression through a course. Modules can organize course content by weeks, units, chapters, etc.. They can be created/organized according to your syllabus with each module containing files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, and other learning materials for that session
Although the module structure is functional, modules cannot display images or video - and you cannot format the style/text (italics, bold)
Modules must be “published” before students are able to view.
Modules can be “locked” until a specific date
Modules can be used to set requirements (students must move through sequentially) and prerequisites where students must complete previous requirements before proceeding. Prerequisites can be set (e.g., must complete previous modules before allowed to access current module)
Depending on how you choose to organize your course content, Canvas provides the vehicle to make it happen. There are two (2) main ways to deliver course material and content – Modules and Pages
Modules are Canvas’ vehicle to add content and organize a course sequentially. Modules bring together files, assignments, discussions, quizzes and pages that allow you to organize your content in a linear, successive progression.
Modules can organize course content by weeks, units, chapters, etc. with the module items containing files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, and other learning materials for that session.
Although the module structure is functional, it shows content in a long list of links and is not very engaging since modules cannot display images or video - and you cannot format the style/text (italics, bold)
The structure of Modules is designed where users move through (as in example under Unit III Module) Chapter #15 (select Next) then Chapter #16 (select Previous or Next) and finally Chapter #17.
Pages are powerful! Pages give instructors control over the organization and creation of content. Each page can be edited using Text Editor adding bolding, text font/colors. Add links in and outside of the course site, files as well as textual and multimedia content all within the same “space”.
Pages will personalize and make the course engaging for your students. Pages can be added to a Module and a Module can be linked in a Page.
- Use a template page; e.g., accordion tab template
- Add images and formatted text
- Add embedded audio or video
- Add download or external links
- Link to assignments, quizzes, or other modules
Since you can add pages to the modules – organization and course flow is still consistent (Previous modules – Next module)
- Use a page if you need to use text-formatting (bold, italics, color, font sizes) or line breaks.
- You can allow students to access the page, e.g., add text, upload files, etc. (“Wiki” type to be used for collaboration)
Create Modules
- Select Modules from course navigation
- Click on +Module, name the module. Do not want students to see/access until particular date? Select “lock until”
- Click Add Module
Continue creating additional modules “placeholders”
Note: after you have created multiple modules, excluding the very first module, you will see the option +Add prerequisites. This options allows you to select previous modules that must be completed before current module accessible
Click the + sign to the right of each module to add content (links, assignments, etc.) under that module
Publish Modules
To publish the Module click the grey circle with slash through it; no symbol, it will turn to a green circle with checkmark indicating it is now published and visible to students.
When publishing a Module with content underneath, unpublished, think of the top most layer as the parent and everything underneath as the child. When the parent layered is published everything below will be published as well. Note, if you do not see the underneath content published right away navigate away from the Modules page and then return it will show published then.
Prerequisites
Setting Module Prerequisites ensure students complete a ‘module’ before moving to the next ‘module’. Prerequisites can only be set for a module(s) that precede the specific module, therefore, you can only add a prerequisite if you have added at least one prior module.
To set prerequisites for a module
- Open Modules
- Edit the module (3 dots to right of Module name) and click under Prerequisites select the module that must be completed
- Click +Add prerequisite to add additional
- Select Update Module
Requirements
Want students to complete everything in a module (modules), no restriction as to order of completion (e.g., readings, lectures) can use Requirements. When a “requirement” is complete, a green check mark shows that the item has been complete.
You can add the restriction that students must move through the requirements sequentially or they can complete in any order
To set requirements for a module
- Open Modules
- Edit the module (3 dots to right of Module name) and select Requirements options
- “Students must complete all of these requirements” then can select the option for “student must move through requirements in sequential order”; or
- Select “Student must complete one of these requirements” then select the item and option to “view the item”; “mark as done”; or “contribute to page”.
- Additional requirements may be added
- Select Update Module
