One of Canvas' strengths as a platform is the flexibility it offers teachers in setting up and organizing their courses. Here are some keys to creating a great resource for your students:

Design a Strong Home Page

This is the first thing your students will see when they enter your course!
Introduce yourself, add a photo, and include details on how students can contact you.
Explain course objectives, how the course is organized, and how to navigate through the material.
Add a video greeting, weekly message, or other elements to personalize the page.

Course Home Page Example

example course home page

By default Canvas will display the Course Modules list when you open the course. Creating a Page and selecting it to Use as Front Page allows you to present a more personalized and informative greeting for your students.

Use Modules to Organize Your Course

How will you present your content? If your material is organized in Chapters, Units, or Topics, make those your Modules!
Think of a module as a binder — every element in the unit goes into the module, including pages, worksheets, assignments, quizzes, discussions, resources, and more.
Your modules provide structure for your course and show assignments or tasks required throughout the course.

Course Module Example

example course modules

Import a Template to Save Time

You don't always have to start from scratch. The Canvas Commons offers an amazing array of pages, course layouts, and assignments that have been shared for your use.
Click the Commons button at the lower left for the Canvas Global Navigation bar at the left, then search for UACS.
You will find a UACS Template Home Page, which can provide a home page template to customize.
Or, select the UACS Elementary Course Template.

Search the Canvas Commons for UACS

search Canvas Commons for templates

How to import a template into your course

Import a Template from Commons Video, 3:17

Once imported, don't forget to:

update images
change placeholder text
add your own links!

Additional Resources

These two articles about student-centered course design can help students and families may be of interest:

Designing Your LMS to Make Distance Learning Better, by Sarah Schroeder

Intentionally setting up a learning management system where everything students need is easy to access can help them all be successful. (These concepts apply equally well to in-person learning.)
How Districts Can Set an LMS Strategy to Work for Everyone, by Ryan Hoxie

Creating a consistent learning management system experience helps students and families—and teachers—across classes and grade levels.