This guide is split into the sections included in the Course Standards document, and you can use the Contents menu to navigate to these. We have also categorised the standards into essential requirements<\/strong> and desirable features<\/strong>. Where possible, we have included tips on how to meet each standard, including the desirable features, on this page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accordion key:<\/strong> Refer to the key below to understand what information is covered in which type of accordion block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are a minimum set of required standards (r) that every Canvas course unit must adhere to.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n These are desirable features (d), most of which we expect to become mandatory in the future. These features represent best pedagogical practices, and we encourage colleagues to consider incorporating them now wherever feasible.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Correct dates should be located only in the key dates section of the template, to simplify the update process each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This may include: assignment deadlines, mentions of these deadlines on course pages (such as the Assessment and Feedback <\/strong>page), and any other areas where course dates are referenced. An easy way to check the dates on all assignments on your Canvas space is to use the Edit Assignment Dates<\/a> tool, which can be found in the Assignments<\/strong> area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For any other dates that may be within Pages<\/strong>, you will need to edit these manually to update them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a simple way to check for any broken links on your course unit<\/a> by going to Settings <\/strong>and then select the Validate Links in Content <\/strong>button on the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every Canvas page needs an \u2018Orientation and Expectations<\/strong>\u2019 section, which introduces the unit (broadly what will be covered and where it fits in a programme, if this is appropriate), clarifies the structure of the Canvas page, lays out expectations about how students should use the page and how educators will engage with the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In your course homepage, select the Course Information <\/strong>option to access and edit the introduction pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use the Next<\/strong> button to navigate between the pages. Update and replace the placeholder text with the appropriate content, making sure any guidance is deleted before publishing the pages.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n In your course homepage, select the Edit<\/strong> button. Using the Rich Content Editor (RCE), upload pictures of your teaching team and populate the table with the relevant details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow the instructions within your course unit template on the \u2018How to Engage with this Course Unit in Canvas\u2019 page. Below is an example of what these sections could look like with your populated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> Refer to the Communication<\/a> page to view guides on how to release information to students, whether via the Inbox<\/strong>, Announcements<\/strong> or Discussions<\/strong> feature.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Follow the instructions within your course unit template in the \u2018How to Engage with this Course Unit in Canvas\u2019 page. Below is an example of what this section could look like with your populated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow the instructions within your course unit template in the \u2018How to Engage with this Course Unit in Canvas\u2019 page. Below is an example of what this section could look like with your populated content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are some quick video guides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For further information and advice, please contact the FSE eLearning team via Connect<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n In your course homepage, select the Edit<\/strong> button. Using the Rich Content Editor (RCE), upload pictures and\/or videos of your teaching team and populate the table with the relevant details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For further information and advice, please contact the FSE eLearning team via Connect<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n This could be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a list of suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Student Feedback guidelines clarify to students how they can provide feedback and when they can expect feedback to be required. A \u2018you said, we did\u2019 type of summary demonstrates to students that their feedback is valued and acted upon. This will hopefully encourage more students to share their views and opinions about how their courses are delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All the above criteria are to be added to the Giving Feedback on this Course Unit <\/strong>page of the template.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Key information section of the course template enables students to be clear about what they should expect to achieve by the end of a course unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose Modules<\/strong>, then select the page Course Unit Aims and Support<\/strong> and replace the placeholder text.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Select the Course navigation menu<\/strong> link Reading List<\/strong>. Next, select Open New Tab<\/strong> to access the Library website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the library website opens, follow the on screen instructions. The reading list should indicate core\/other reading. Students need to understand that they don\u2019t necessarily have to read everything.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n To fulfil the criteria (c) <\/strong>to (i)<\/strong> and (l) <\/strong>and (m)<\/strong> use the Assessment and Feedback<\/strong> button in your Canvas Course unit <\/strong>to open the Assessment and Feedback<\/strong> page and replace the placeholder text. The Rich Content Editor (RCE)<\/a>: In the Assessments and Feedback page you may wish to upload documents or add links to the relevant information using the RCE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The boxes below contain additional information which you may find useful when setting up the Assessment & Feedback section of the template within your Canvas course unit space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ensure the Assessment page<\/strong> includes information to let students know which assessments are summative and what their weight is in the course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Option: <\/strong>In Canvas you can set up assignment groups<\/a> and then weight assessments to calculate a final course grade<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Ensure the Assessment page <\/strong>Includes details of marking criteria so students understand the key aspects of how they will be assessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Support: <\/strong>Guidance for students on how to use and act on feedback received<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> Later, when you come to set up assignment in Canvas<\/a> you can attach marking rubrics. In Blackboard rubrics attached to assignments were hidden from students. In Canvas rubrics attached to an assignment will become visible to students once the assignment is published (before submission).<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Students need to know what they are expected to do and by when. Ensure that your Assessment page<\/strong> includes information on deadlines for submitting summative work. This could be added to your assessment page via text, documents, or links to additional information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: <\/strong>In Canvas, published<\/strong> assignments and quizzes, are available to students via the course navigation menu (Assignments \/ Quizzes<\/strong>). For example see: Student Guide: How I view an assignment in Canvas<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Ensure the Assessment page<\/strong> includes information to let students know when marks and \/ or feedback will be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In our Canvas template, the Grade Posting Policy is set to manual <\/strong>by default. This means that you will have to manually release grades to students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: <\/strong>In Canvas, once marks are posted<\/strong> students will be able to access assignment marks and feedback via the Grades <\/strong>menu. (Student Guide: How do I view my grades and feedback<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Ensure the Assessment page<\/strong> informs students of formative assessment opportunities and how you will provide feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: <\/strong>In Canvas, once marks are posted (published) students will be able to access assignment marks and feedback via the Grades <\/strong>menu. (Student Guide: How do I view my grades and feedback<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n Ensure the Assessment page<\/strong> informs students about how and where to submit assessments. In Canvas students will be able to access published<\/strong> assessments via the course navigation menus Assignments<\/strong>, Required standards (r)<\/summary>\n
Desirable Features (d)<\/summary>\n
\n
Currentness<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
a. All dates are correct<\/summary>\n
![\"screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/Edit-Assignment-Dates.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
b. All hyperlinks work<\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/validate-links.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nOrientation for students<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
a. A short introduction to the unit<\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/a-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nb. The name of the unit coordinator and other educators, including post-graduate teaching assistants, with their roles
c. Details of how to arrange meetings with those teaching on the unit (for example, links to office hours or bookable meetings)<\/summary>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/edit-page-button.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/Teaching-Team-RCE-edit-1024x569.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nd. An explanation of the structure of the Course Unit Canvas page, which includes details of when material will be available to students and how those teaching will engage with the Course Unit Canvas page (such as expected response times to student questions and forum engagement)<\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/How-to-Engage-with-this-Course.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/What-is-expected-of-course-team.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\ne. A statement of the expectations of student engagement (such as clarity about what is required\/core and what is supplemental)<\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/What-is-expected-of-you.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nf. An explanation of how students can ask questions<\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/How-to-ask-questions-about-course-unit.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\ng. A video or audio introduction to the course unit and the main educators<\/summary>\n
\n
h. A short introduction to those teaching on the unit which could include photos or biographical details and might be a video<\/summary>\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
i. A Course Unit FAQ<\/summary>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/FAQ-download-link-1-1024x423.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/FAQ-page-1024x725.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nj. A \u2018low stakes\u2019 engagement activity which enables students to practice using any digital tools they will need to use in the unit and signposts to further support (for example via curated Learning paths in LinkedIn Learning)<\/summary>\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/Digital-and-Study-Skills-page-1-1024x472.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
k. An activity which starts to build a learning community<\/summary>\n
\n
l. An activity to \u2018warm-up\u2019 or \u2018self-assess\u2019 prior knowledge or consider students interests or motivations<\/summary>\n
\n
Student Feedback<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
a. An explanation of how students can give feedback about the course unit, including details of how the mid-semester feedback will be run;
b. Include a summary of previous student feedback and what has changed as a result;
c. A copy of the in-semester feedback received and the educators\u2019 response.<\/summary>\nKey information<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
a. A link to or copy of the intended learning outcomes of the unit<\/summary>\n
b. A link to the unit reading list <\/summary>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/02\/Canvas-reading-list-open-in-new-tab-1024x156.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Support: <\/strong> How to update and order items on your reading list via the Library website.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.elearning.fse.manchester.ac.uk\/getting-started-with-canvas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/Assessment-Feedback-Button_Course_Template-1-1024x358.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nc. Details of summative assessments, including weightings<\/summary>\n
d. Details of marking criteria<\/summary>\n
e. Deadlines for submitting summative assessments <\/summary>\n
f. The date by when marked assessment will be returned and what will be available (eg provisional marks and\/or feedback);<\/summary>\n
\n
g. Details of any formative assessment or opportunities and how associated feedback will be provided;<\/summary>\n
h. Information about how and where to submit assessments available from the beginning of the unit (this can be a holding message with date when it will go live) <\/summary>\n