What are Modules?

Modules allow you to organize your content to help control the flow of your course.

To get started, read the steps in the lesson, click the links below, or visit the Modules chapter.

View Course Modules

Modules are used to organize course content by weeks, units, or a different organizational structure that works for your course. With modules, you are essentially creating a one-directional linear flow of what you would like your students to do.

Each module can contain files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, and other learning materials that you would like to use. You can easily add items to your module that you have already created in the course or create new content shells within the modules. Course content can be added to multiple modules or iterated several times throughout an individual module. Modules can be easily organized using the drag and drop feature. Elements within the modules can also be reorganized by dragging and dropping.

Note: You can use keyboard shortcuts to navigate the Modules page. Press the comma key and a pop-up window with keyboard shortcuts will appear for keyboard navigation.

When would I use Modules?

You can use Modules to:

Create prerequisite activities that students must complete before moving on in the course
Track student progress through a sequence of learning activities
Organize course content by unit, day, week, topic or Outcome

How do I create a new Module?

Modules are used to organize course content by weeks, units, or whatever organizational structure works for your course. With modules, you are essentially creating a one-directional linear flow of what you would like your students to do. Once you create modules, you can add content items, set prerequisites, and add requirements.
Open Modules

In Course Navigation, click the Modules link.

Create a Module

Click the Create a Module button.

Name the Module

Type a name in the Module Name field.

Lock Module Until a Given Date

Select the Lock module until a given date checkbox [1] to lock the module until a set date. Select the Calendar icon [2] to set the date and time.

Add Module Requirements

Select the Students must move through requirements... checkbox [1] to require students to move through the content in the modules in sequential order.

Add Modules

Click the Add Module button to create the module.
View Module
View your created module. To publish a module, click the unpublished icon. The hover text will confirm you want to publish the module.

How do I add items to a Module?

You can add an item to multiple modules or multiple iterations of an item to one module.

Note: If you add an unpublished quiz to a module, students will be able to view the quiz instructions, but they can't see the quiz questions or the points possible.

Open Modules

In Course Navigation, click the Modules link.

Add Content

Click the Add Item button [1].

Add Item to Module

Click the Add drop-down menu to select the item type.

Assignment

Quiz

File (document and media file types)

Content Page

Discussion

Text Header

External URL

External Tool

Note: Canvas will accept most media files as uploads. However, not all media files can be played within Canvas.

Select Item

You can select the item you wish to add to the module by clicking on the title of the item.

Add a New Item

Click the [New] link [1] and type a name in the name field [2] to create a new item.

Indent Item

Choose the Indentation drop-down menu [1] to indent the item inside of the module.

Add Item

Click the Add Item button to add the item to the module.

View New Item in Module

View the selected module item [1]. To publish a new module item [2], click the unpublished icon. The hover text will confirm you want to publish the module item [3].

How do I reorder Modules?

You can reorder Modules after you've created them. You can manually drag and drop the module, or you can use the Move To option, which is also accessible for keyboard users. You can also reorder module items.

Open Modules

In Course Navigation, click the Modules link.

Select Module to Move

Locate the module you wish to move.

Drag and Drop Option

You can use the drag and drop option to reorder modules.

Drag Module

Click the drag handle next to the module name. A cross haired arrow will appear. Drag the module to the desired location.

Drop Module

Drop the module in the desired location by releasing the mouse.

View Modules

View the module in the new location.

Move To Option

You can use the Move To option to reorder modules.

Click Settings Icon

Click the Settings icon [1] and select the Move To... link [2].

Move Module

To move the module:

Specify where (Before or After) to place the module.

Choose the module where (Before or After) you want to place the module.

Click the Move button.

View Modules

View the module in the new location.