Canvas and Course Websites Developed By Dr. Brian Chen

Canvas Homepages that Welcome Students .

The Canvas “Homepage” is your first point of entry into a course. It serves as a gateway to the course content, providing a clear and inviting starting point. You can explore various designs using advanced HTML coding and other techniques to create engaging and informative learning hubs. Students can access and interact with course materials no matter where they are.

Click each image below to see a larger screenshot with details on how it is created and designed.

A Twitter Widget is embedded into Course Home Page. An actual Twitter embedded coding is saved as an Html file that I upload to the “Files” and then iframe in a Page. I use Twitter primarily to find resources about research articles and trends to share with my research mentees.

An example of a Canvas home page with branching navigations. I have created an interactive home page with branching navigation, contact information, and messages. My advisees can navigate all the important items from that one page just by clicking on the image buttons (e.g., Degree Completion Map, Student Manual, Resource Modules, and Canvas Tutorials) on the home page.

The syllabus is designed as the Canvas homepage with grid menus. Each mini card leads to the specific week on the Modules page. The syllabus page includes a downloadable syllabus, my contact information, course outlines, and technical support. The sidebar section displays information about course events and grading. Finally, all assignments appear at the bottom of this syllabus page under Course Summary.

An example with a 'Start Here' button and numbered links of weekly materials. A ‘Start Here’ button and links (in the form of button images) to the materials in all weeks are designed to show on the homepage. Quality Matters metrics recommend a ‘Start Here’ indication for new students to the course. The numbered button links can lead to the specific module on the ‘Modules’ page. Hovering over the button reveals the title or lesson name.

This homepage is designed with the integration of aesthetics and module-based representations. The customized images inserted in module links match the course’s structure smoothly and enhance the cohesion among weekly modules.

Modules: Students’ Roadmap to Success.

Modules are the building blocks of your learning journey. Think of them as a clear and organized roadmap that guides you through the course material. Each module is carefully designed to provide a focused learning experience with clear objectives, activities, and assessments. Weekly Modules make students easy to follow the flow of learning. By following the module structure, students will better understand the content and be well-prepared for exams.

The screenshot shows an example of a Module that was set up based on sections of different purposes.

The screenshot shows an example of a Module that was set up based on weekly materials.

The screenshot illustrates an example of a Module that was set up based on week.

Canvas Pages: Your Interactive Learning Hub.

Imagine a classroom that is alive and vibrant, where learning extends beyond textbooks through interactive experiences. Canvas Pages offer MPH students a personalized, multimedia-rich environment designed to maximize your investment in time and money. With Canvas Pages, you’re not just consuming information; you’re exploring it. Dive into a world of videos, texts, and links that guide you through a comprehensive learning experience. In addition, visualized concepts with embedded Google Slides and interactive online games/assessments are all within your Canvas pages.

Resource Page that contains links to different unversity resources for research.

A Canvas 'Page' sample of different topics with icons.

A Canvas 'Page' sample of embedded interactive multimedia course materials by using Google Slides.

Each week, the Weekly 'Page' includes rich media and can be linked to other pages, assignments, discussions, and other course activities in Canvas.

Content Wiki - A wiki that can be a collaborative tool that allows students to create web contents.

Course Information Pages: Your Success Starts Here.

A "Start Here" or syllabus page includes essential information for students, such as details about the instructor, tips for course preparation, university resources, and available technical support.

Start Here Page designed to serve as alternative form of a syllabus. The first item in the first module includes the need to know information for students.

Syllabus Page displayed the instructor information, course description, course objectives and grading scheme.

A Commitment to Excellence: Crafting Engaging Courses.

A dedication to excellence drives MPH course design, drawing inspiration from the transformative CidiLabs DesignPLUS training series to create truly immersive and engaging learning experiences. By refining layouts and prioritizing accessibility, courses have become more user-friendly and inclusive, inviting every learner to fully engage. Thoughtful integration of visuals, strategically customized and embedded, adds depth and appeal, enriching the overall educational experience.

The Module List is designed to assist my students in effortlessly navigating to their desired modules.

The combination of DesignPLUS Tools and a custom stylesheet elevated my advising Canvas site, propelling it beyond its previous boundaries and unlocking a new level of customization.

By solely utilizing DesignPLUS tools, I was able to redesign our program's closure exam Canvas homepage within 10 to 15 minutes.

The Add Content Blocks tool is utilized to structure and adjust various styling elements according to the information flow. Furthermore, HTML Snippets are employed to create responsive columns, enabling the consolidation of smaller content blocks and maintaining shorter page lengths.

The FAQ section for my advisees is crafted by customizing the style of the entire page, integrating hidden gems from DesignPLUS Tools, and using the advanced DesignPLUS Tools such as custom CSS, HTML attributes, and accordions.

Embedding the CEPH accreditation-required survey in the closure exam can ensure that I have sufficient data to collect and interpret for our program evaluation.

New Technology-Driven Discussion Boards Help Students Advance Teamwork.

Step into the Harmonize discussion board integrated into courses, which offers a dynamic space for meaningful interaction with peers and instructors. Designed to foster inclusivity and engagement, it ensures that all voices are heard. Additionally, with its plagiarism detection system, the academic integrity support gives you the confidence to thrive in your future.

The Grid View feature in Harmonize discussions board presents posts in tiles or cards, making it possible to create an online gallery experience that was previously unachievable.

Harmonize's diverse features, such as reactions, multiple discussion threads, and the ability to add multimedia for students to present their ideas, greatly enhance student engagement.