Still need help?
Get in touch with the LX.lab team by logging a ticket via ServiceConnect. We'll be in touch shortly.
Log a ticketWant to provide feedback on this resource? Please log in first via the top nav menu.
Each Canvas subject site comes preloaded with content to help you get your subject up and running. This is called a Canvas subject shell.
Overview of Canvas subject shells
A Canvas site for a new subject is preloaded with a Canvas subject shell. A Canvas subject shell includes:
- A subject homepage
- A Get started module, to help you orient students to your subject
- A sample module
- A checklist of things to do before your Canvas course gets published to students.
Subject homepage
The subject homepage is the first page you see when you enter a Canvas subject site. For students, the homepage provides a starting point from which to move through the subject content, and also lets them know that they’re in the right place.
The template for subject homepages contains:
- An Acknowledgment of Country
- A UTS-branded banner image, which should be changed to an image that suits your subject
- Space to add a brief subject description, or other key message for students taking the subject
- Brief instructions for navigating the subject and a button to connect them to the Modules in the site
- A link to the study help and support page for links to student support and resources
- An image copyright disclaimer
Get started module
The Get Started module has been developed in collaboration with students, using their feedback on what they would like to see in an orientation area for each of their subjects. The module is continually updated to incorporate the latest changes that impact learning and teaching including feedback on removing duplication and streamlining information for students.
The module contains the following pages:
Welcome
A space for either a text or video personal welcome message from you. This is a good start in establishing your teacher presence on your site. See our resource Make a welcome video for more information.
Your teaching staff
This page provides information on each of the teaching staff members in your subject and ways for students to contact you throughout the session. This page also helps to establish teacher presence in your Canvas site.
How to be successful in this subject
This page can help set student expectations for your teaching approach detailing what is expected of students in terms of their own participation, preparation and submission of work.
Subject resources
Subject resources is a place to list and link specific essential resources such as software or equipment that students require. The Library’s reading list is also highlighted here alongside a link to Library study guides for students.
Important guidance
This page provides students with important information and links to relevant policies and procedures for study at UTS. This page is kept up to date centrally and does not need to be edited.
Get started with UTS Library
Get started with UTS Library is the last item in the Get started module and includes a comprehensive list of services, links and resources offered by UTS library. You do not need to edit this page.
Study help and support
Study help and support offers information on additional support resources for students in their studies. A variety of academic services and other support facilities are at their disposal to ensure continuous assistance throughout their academic journey. Teaching staff are encouraged to make students aware of these services and facilitate their access.
Sample module
The sample module called ‘Module name’ contains two pages that work as bookends for a module: the Module overview at the start and Module summary at the end.
Module overview
In Module overview, you should fill the dots points with the key moments in that module. Formulating these as questions, as in the example text, is designed to get your students involved in a discourse on the topic.
Module summary
This is an opportunity for reflection and to recap what you hope to have achieved by the end of that section.
Resource documentation and links module
This module provides important information for subject coordinators and should not be published for students to view. It contains the following pages:
Ready to publish?
This page should always be consulted before your site is published for students.
The essential items here include removing all placeholder yellow highlighted text from your site using the Rich Content Editor, running an accessibility check on every page, and using Student View to confirm what your students can and cannot see in your Canvas course.
Find out how by reading the following Canvas guides:
- How do I add and modify text in the Rich Content Editor?
- How do I use the Accessibility Checker in the Rich Content Editor?
- Student View in Canvas
Handover guide
This is a page to add notes for future subject coordinators about how to use the site.
Additional recommended templates
Assignment description template
In the Assignments area of your Canvas subject site (linked in the subject site navigation menu), you will find an assessment description template to guide you through consistent assignment information for students. This includes what is required of them, an outline of the allowed use of GenAI, and how students will receive feedback and support.
Session schedule
A session schedule is an effective way to define expectations to students and provide a clear guide to the session, including assessment due dates and availability. This page complements the assessment detail in Subject information and in the Assignments area of your Canvas subject site. Check out the resource Communicate a session schedule in Canvas for more guidance on integrating the session schedule templates into your subject site.