This tutorial will guide you through the steps of utilizing the MSU-Branded Full Course Template you imported from Canvas Commons.

Import Content

1. After reviewing the resource and deciding to import it into your course, click Import/Download to start moving the content into your course, or Back to Search to explore other resources.

Canvas Commons page highlighting the red-outlined Import/Download button for the resource named Sample module, with a red-outlined back to search button at the top right.

Note: When you click Import/Download, a menu will appear on the side with options for import or download.

2. Select the course you would like to import the content into and click Import into Course.

Import/Download page for Canvas Commons, highlighting the course options and the import and download buttons in a red outline.

3. You will receive a message confirming that your import has successfully started. To view the import, navigate back to your course by clicking on Dashboard in your Global Navigation.
Canvas Commons page with successful import message at the top of the page in green and Dashboard in the Global Navigation menu outlined red.

Navigate to your Course

Once in your Canvas dashboard, select the desired course by clicking on the appropriate course card.

Canvas dashboard with a course card outlined in red

Homepage

  1. Click Edit in the upper right corner to update your course Homepage.

    2. MSU-branding template homepage with page edit button outlined in red

  2. Update your Course Name/Number and the introductory message under the welcome section. Click Save when you’re done.

    3. MSU-branded homepage edit window with Name of Course and Save button outlined in red.

Course Information

  1. From the Homepage, select the Course Information button. You will be redirected to a premade module titled “Course Information.”

    2. MSU-branded homepage buttons with course information button outlined in red.

  2. Click on a title to access the page. (ex. About This Course)

    3. Course information module with its pages and activities outlined in red.

  3. Click Edit to fill in the page information according to the placeholders and prompts. Then click Save at the bottom of the page.

    4. "About this Course" page with the edit button outlined in red.

  4. To return to the Course Information module to edit the other pages, select Modules from the course navigation menu on the left.

    5. Course navigation menu with Modules outlined in red.

  5. Repeat steps 6-7 for the syllabus, instructor information, Q&A, and course resources pages. If there is a section that you choose not to use, you may click on the green checked circle on the right side of the box to “unpublish” that item.

    6. If you do not wish to use any of the pre-built template pages, please add your own to the "Course Information" module so that it directs students to the correct place from the homepage button. 

    Course information module with unpublished circle outline in red.

  6. Return to the Homepage by clicking Home from the course navigation menu on the left.

    7. Zoomed in course navigation menu with Home outlined in red.

Help Resources

  1. From the Homepage, select the Help Resources button.

    2. Branded homepage buttons with help resources outlined in red.

  2. You will be redirected to a pre-made module titled “Need Help?”
  3. Update each of the items [1-2] under this module by clicking on the name of each item to access the page.

    4. Need help module outlined in red with a number 1 and 2 next to the items listed under the module

  4. Click Edit to adjust the information to fit your class. Then, click Save at the bottom of the page.

    5. Student Support Resources Page with the edit button outlined in red

  5. Repeat the steps for the page Canvas Resources for Students. If there is a section that you choose not to use, y ou may click on the green checked circle on the right side of the box to "unpublish" that item.

    6. Note: If you do not wish to use any pre-built template pages, please add your own page or information into the "Need Help" module so it directs students to the correct place from the homepage button.

Announcements

  1. Next, navigate to your announcements by clicking Announcements from the course navigation menu.

    2. Course navigation menu with Announcements outlined in red

  2. Then, click the +Announcement button on the right side of the window.

    3. Announcement window with blue button titled add announcement outlined in red.

  3. In the announcement editing window, add a title [1], edit/add your content [2], choose the sections to post to [3], click choose file if you would like to add an attachment [4], and review the options [5] for your post.

    4. Announcement edit window with five fields to fill in outlined in red

  4. Click Save at the bottom right when you're done.

Modules

Next, navigate to your Modules by clicking Modules from the course navigation menu. It will take you to all your Modules. You will see all the template's pre-made modules, including a sample module.

Modules in the course navigation menu outlined in red.

Copy Module 

  1. Locate the sample module.  
  2. Click on the three dots on the right of the module title, scroll down, and select "Duplicate."

    3. Dropdown menu of module header with duplicate outlined in red

  3. Repeat as many times as needed until you have created the desired number of modules. Click close when done. 

Add Content  

  1. Rename your modules to fit the structure of your course by clicking the three dots on the right of the Modules title bar and selecting Edit.  

    2. Canvas module showing a drop-down menu with the three dots that prompt the drop down and the edit option outlined in red

  2. Delete the provided title and type in your own. Once finished, click Update Module.  

    3. Module settings window displaying the module name field and 'Update Module' button outlined in red.

  3. Identify content that will not be necessary in each module and delete the content item(s) by clicking on the three dots to the right of the activity and selecting Remove.

    4. Canvas module showing a drop-down menu with the three dots that prompt the drop down and the remove option outlined in red

  4. To create additional template content, please choose the specific item (ex., Assignment), click on the three dots on the right, and select Duplicate. This will make a copy of the item right below your original.
    1. Review the Canvas tutorial on how to add non-template items.  

    5. Canvas module showing a drop-down menu with the three dots that prompt the drop down and the duplicate option outlined in red

Edit Content 

  1. Edit each item individually by clicking on the name. This will load the detail or settings page of the item.

    2. Canvas module with the title of a Canvas page outlined in red under the module.

  2. Then select Edit in the top right corner. This will take you to the edit window.  

    3. Canvas detail and settings window of a page titled Introduction and Overview with the edit button outlined in red. 

  3. Make your adjustments in the edit window and click Save when done to keep your changes.  

    4. Edit window of a Canvas page with the save button outlined in red.

Reorder and Organize Content 

  1. Reorder and organize your content items by clicking and dragging the eight dots on the left of the item to the desired spot. 

    2. Note: You can move items within modules or to new modules.  

    Canvas module with the 8 dots to the left of the module name outlined in red.

  2. Return to the homepage by clicking Home from the course navigation menu on the left. 

    3. Home link in Course Navigation Menu outlined in red next two Canvas Homepage

Student View

You can click on Student View in the top right of the page to see how your course looks. View this tutorial on how to use Student View.

MSU Branded Canvas home page with "view as student" button in top right corner outlined in red.