It’s that time of year again when we start thinking about setting up our Canvas module sites for the next academic year.  

Earlier this year members of Educational Enhancement worked with student connectors on a project to review and improve Canvas module templates. 

While there will be a more in-depth blog post later with more detail of the whole project, we wanted to share some tips for improving your Canvas modules, based on feedback from students and colleagues as part of the project, to help you when setting up your Canvas module sites for 25/26.  

Accessible PowerPoints 

Students said: “Some uploaded PowerPoints on Canvas have vital information hidden behind animations or off-screen” 

If PowerPoints include animations (i.e. transitions, etc), these will not work in the on-screen preview within Canvas. 

• If animations are included, ensure students are given the instruction to download them, or create a version of the slides which do not include animations. 

• Tips to create accessible PowerPoint slides 

• Use the Accessibility Checker to ensure your presentation is accessible before uploading to Canvas 

Clear Assignment Signposting 

Students said: “Assessment information and assessments are in different locations which can be irritating” 

Include a link to the module’s Assignments screen on your Assessment Information page (Note – the page which provides assessment information to students may be labelled differently, depending on which school template you are currently using): 

• Open Assessment information page 

• Click Edit in the top right 

• Type “Submit assignment here” below each assessment detail 

• Highlight the text 

• Change the formatting so that it is obvious amongst other text on the page 

• With the text still highlighted, click the link icon on the toolbar 

• Select Module link 

• Select Module Navigation from the pane on the right 

• Select Assignments from the list of options 

• Ensure this is labelled and formatted in such a way to make its purpose obvious to students (e.g. “Submit your assignment here” in a large bold font) 

Adding files to pages 

Academic Colleagues said: “I wish it was easier to add files to a page without first uploading to the Files area.” 

See guidance on how to upload files directly within a page 

• Upload documents within Rich Content Editor 

• Drag & Drop from File Manager 

• Copy & Paste the file from file manager 

Follow the set-up instructions! 

And one last extra tip from us. 

Follow the module set-up guidance for your school when setting up your 25/26 modules. There are some important changes this year, due to the Student Information System project to replace Sussex Direct and our central student database. 

If you have any questions about setting up your 25/26 Canvas module site, please contact your Learning Technologist via educationalenhancement@sussex.ac.uk. 

For more information about the Student Information System project, visit the Student Information System project website.