Organize Your Canvas Course Content

Owned by Christine Sandella
Last updated: Aug 28, 2023
3 min read

There are a few different ways you can organize your course content in Canvas. This article provides a brief overview of the tools available and additional resources on how to use the tool. If you would like further assistance or would like to discuss options, please contact your Instructional Designer Liaison.

Files

As an instructor, Files allows you to create a repository of files related to your course. Upload your course content to Canvas using the Files tool. You can upload one or multiple files, publish and unpublish files, and set restrictions to files. Utilize Folders within Files to ensure that the documents are organized. Learn how to upload files to your Canvas course.

Pages

Pages are content pages like any web page; they can include a combination of text, images, and files (documents, videos, etc.). For example, you might embed a useful video clip within a page, provide written instructions on important questions to consider while viewing it, and a link to a related assignment.

Adding files (PDF, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) to your course pages allows students to preview the files without downloading them. Creating pages that contain several related files, images, and links in one place can help keep modules from becoming too long. Learn how to create pages in your Canvas course.

Here are a few ideas for ways to use the Page tool:

  • Create a homepage for the course with an engaging image, class pitch, and welcome message from the instructor.

  • Outline weekly expectations, deadlines for the week's assignments, and convenient links to the needed files or assignments.

  • Create an asynchronous lesson plan complete with linked materials (Files, Course Videos, Assignments, Discussions, etc.) that live in a given module.

Modules

Modules are used to organize course content by weeks, units, or by topic. Modules help control the flow of the course and allow students to identify what is expected from them. Module can contain Files, Pages, discussion boards, assignments, quizzes, and other learning materials, such as URLs and videos. Learn how to add Modules to your Canvas course.

Syllabus

You can use the syllabus tool as an organizational tool by creating an interactive syllabus which has links to other components, including readings, videos, modules, and assignments. Interactive syllabi provide a way for students to access all other course content from one page within your course. Below is an example of an interactive syllabus which includes links to Page, Assignments, and links to File for reading.

Hide/Show Items in the Students' Course Navigation Menu

You won’t be able to add or delete items in the Course Navigation Menu in Canvas; however, you can decide which of those items you would like your students to see. It is recommended that, at a minimum, you show students the Announcements, Syllabus, Modules, and Grades items.  

To show or hide items on the Course Navigation Menu:

  1. Click Settings in the menu.

  2. Click the Navigation tab at the top of the screen.

  3. You’ll see two menus. The top menu contains items that are visible, the bottom menu contains items that are not. Drag items to the top menu to show them in the students' Course Navigation Menu and drag to the bottom menu to hide them.

  4. To reorder of the menu items in the students' Course Navigation Menu, change the order of the items in the top menu.

  5. Once completed, click Save at the bottom of the page.