Organize content in Canvas

Using Canvas as a hub for your course materials can create a more consistent and supportive learning experience for your students. By organizing materials clearly and making them accessible, you can reduce confusion, keep students engaged, and help them focus on learning.

Canvas isn’t just for online classes. PSU students increasingly expect course materials to be available there, regardless of how the course is delivered. More than half of PSU courses now use Canvas to share files, assignments, and key resources.

Even in in-person and hybrid classes, Canvas offers a consistent space for accessing materials, submitting work, and tracking progress. A well-organized Canvas course extends learning beyond class time, reduces uncertainty, and supports student engagement.

For instructors, Canvas streamlines communication and course management. Instead of juggling multiple platforms or email threads, you can post announcements, provide feedback, and track progress all in one place.

Canvas provides instructors with a space for sharing a wide variety of content to support student learning and engagement. The table below outlines the types of things that can be shared in a Canvas course:

When students don’t have to search for materials or wonder where to find what they need, they’re better able to focus on the content itself. Modules are the most effective way to organize course materials in Canvas.

Modules are essentially Canvas-specific folders or containers that help students navigate your course content in a clear, structured way. Unlike the Files page, which simply lists uploaded documents, Modules let you organize content by week, topic, or unit, helping students understand how everything fits together.

Modules are like folders or containers that give you the ability to organize materials by week, topic, or unit, helping students see how everything fits together.

1. Create a module.  You can add as many modules as needed, but be intentional. A weekly structure is the most common and often the most helpful for students, as it clearly outlines expectations and pacing throughout the term.
2. Prepare your content. Since Modules hold links to materials created elsewhere in Canvas, it helps to build those first (e.g., discussions, pages, files).
   • Tip: Use the Weekly Course Flow Template to organize your materials and streamline the building process!
3. Add items to the module. Once materials are ready, add them to the module in a logical sequence to support student learning. You can reorder the module items as needed. 
4. Repeat this process to continue developing Modules. You can reorder modules if necessary to achieve a logical sequence.

• Create subsections. Use text headers and indent items to create visible sections in your modules. 
• Customize the course navigation menu. If you organize everything in Modules, consider hiding links to Assignments, Quizzes, Pages, and Files in the student view to reduce confusion.
• Create weekly overviews using Pages. Creating weekly overview pages allows you to share course materials with more context and different organizational structures than are possible in modules alone. Remember to add created pages to your modules. 
• Include a “General Course Information” module.  Consider adding a module to the top of your list that includes all the basics, like the syllabus,  general discussion board, and other information students may need to access throughout the term.
• Try a checklist! You can make your module function as a checklist by adding requirements that help both you and your students track their progress.

Your course homepage is the first thing students see when they enter your course. Canvas offers several homepage options, each with unique benefits that can support your teaching style and help students navigate your course. The following table describes your options and highlights the benefits of using each in different types of courses:

At PSU, the default homepage is the Modules page, and this is often the best choice. It provides a structured, intuitive view of all course content and helps reduce student confusion.

If you’re not using modules to share content, a custom Page Front Page can create a more visual and welcoming homepage. Consider including:

• a  welcome message
• links to key information (e.g., syllabus, course schedule)
• instructor contact information
• class meeting times and office hours

The Office of Academic Innovation offers a collection of Canvas templates for Portland State faculty to help you build accessible, easy-to-navigate courses. These templates save time and support best practices at our university.

To access the templates:

The following gallery shows examples of some of the templates OAI has created. To access these templates, follow the instructions included above.