CiDi Labs DesignPLUS provides a powerful tool set for creating eye-catching, accessible, and informative course content in Canvas that displays well across a variety of devices. To get started with DesignPLUS, we recommend using pre-formatted page templates. These templates can be used anywhere you use the Rich Content Editor in your course and require less setup and less DesignPLUS "know-how" than creating a brand new page template from scratch.

1. Import templates into your course from Canvas Commons

To make course design and setup as easy as possible, ODL has created a quality course shell housed in Canvas Commons that you can import into your course. A course shell is a pre-made Canvas course framework with space for you to add your own content. The ODL Quality Shell contains templates for:

• Assignments
• Discussions
• Quizzes
• Video Lectures
• Module overviews
• Course home page
• A "start here" page to help your students orient themselves with your course.

 

Many departments and programs create their own course shells and also house them in Canvas Commons. Using pre-built templates from your program or department can help you comply with departmental guidelines without having to go through the entire process of creating your own templates in DesignPLUS. We recommend that you check with your department or use the search function in Canvas Commons to find any course shells that your department prefers you to use.

 

If your department does not have a recommended or required shell for you to use, we recommend importing the ODL Quality Shell into your site.

 

Tips for editing imported DesignPLUS templates

These tips and best practices will help you have a smoother experience using DesignPLUS.

• Always launch the DesignPLUS menu when you edit an item that uses a DesignPLUS template.
  After clicking edit on the content page, assignment, discussion item, or quiz, make sure to then click the garnet rocket ship icon in the upper right of the screen. This will then show you how DesignPLUS groups your content and helps avoid formatting issues.

 

2. Use FSU's institutional templates

In addition to importing page templates from Canvas Commons, you can also use FSU's institutional templates that are accessed from the DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard.

 

3. Upgrade Existing Course Content to Be Compatible with DesignPLUS

If you have used Design Tools in your course site, you can upgrade your existing course content to be compatible with DesignPLUS.

 

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Attending Additional Training for DesignPLUS

The Office of Digital Learning (ODL) offers both group training sessions and one-on-one Canvas technical support consultations by appointment. Group training sessions are offered in-person and online via webinars. Individual technical support consultations are also offered both in-person and online.

 

These sessions can be a great opportunity to learn how to use templates, course shells, and other DesignPLUS elements in your Canvas course sites. Our technical support team and instructional development faculty are helpful resources if you have questions regarding how to use certain aspects of the Canvas interface, and can assist you in facilitating your course design in Canvas. Take a look at our Canvas Workshops and Appointments page to learn more about these opportunities and register for a consultation or training session today!