Using the Design Tools Create and Edit Options

The Theme option creates a header for each page (includes assignments, discussions, and quizzes). There are page and Front Page Themes. The Front page themes have a banner image and navigation bar. Review the steps below to apply a theme to a page. 

1. Edit a page and launch Design Tools. In the Design Tools panel click Create/Edit Content. 
2. Select Choose a Theme and select one of the themes available. 
3. Click Customize Banner text to update the text in the header. 
4. If you are apply a theme to the Front Page, you can select Choose a Banner Image to select a different image or if desired, you can use the Image uploader option to upload a new image. 
5. If you are apply a theme to the Front Page, you can click Add/Edit Navigation Block (See the section below for details) to edit the navigation block or if desired you can add a new navigation block to any page. Be sure to save your work when done. 

Content blocks allow you to maintain a consistent design of all content in your course. Review the numbered item below. 

1. Edit a page and launch Design Tools. In the Design Tools panel click +Add Content Blocks. 
2. A side panel will display to the left of the Design Tools panel.  There are several pre-built blocks you can select to add to the page. 
3. You can also create your content blocks, Type the header in the box and click the plus icon. The content block will be placed at the bottom of the page. You can use the Design Tool Add/Rearrange Content blocks section to drag the new content block to different location on the page. Note: Each header in the content block will be heading 3.
4. On the page each content block will outlined with a blue line. At the end of the  content blocks on the page you will see End Design Tools Wrapper text. This shows you where the content blocks end on the page. Edit the page as desired. 
5. You can rearrange content blocks and update the header text. Click Create/Edit Content and select Add/Rearranged Content Blocks. Use the double arrow to rearrange blocks on the page. You can change the icon associated with header. Content blocks can also be removed from the page. Be sure to save your work when done. 

In the syllabus there are different default content blocks available that will help you build your syllabus quickly based on the syllabus resources located on the S Drive. Please review the numbered items below. 

1. Click the syllabus link in your course navigation. Edit to edit the page. Note: If this link is hidden, students will be directed to the course home. 
2. Launch Design Tools and click +Add Content Blocks. Add all the desired content blocks to the page. 
3. Be sure to update the banner to reflect the current semester. 
4. The content blocks can rearranged as desired in the Add/Rearrange Syllabus Blocks section. 
5. You can also add the Canvas grading scheme and institutional content blocks to the page. Please note to be able to add the grading scheme block, you must enable a grading scheme in the course settings. The institutional block is maintained at the admin level and will read only. It includes information about student accommodations. It will be updated each time you edit the syllabus. 
6. Don't forget to click Update Syllabus when done. 

If you already have content on page, you can convert this content to a content block. (1) Select text on the page. (2) Launch Design Tools and select +Add Content Blocks. (3) In the Add Block panel select Selection to Block. 

There are some pre-built content pages you can copy into blank pages or assignments. Review the numbered items below. It is important to note this option should only be used with new blank content page or assignment as this option will overwrite existing content on the page.

1. Create a new page and launch Design Tools. In the Design Tools panel click Create/Edit Content and then select Copy Existing Content. 
2. You can select a template you have created previously to base the new page on. 
3. You can select any other page in your course to base the new page on. 
4. You can select one of the many institutional templates to base the new page on. Some institutional templates may require editing. 
5. You can also copy a page by URL. Note: This must be from a course you have access. 
6. Don't forget to give the page a title and click save when done. 

All Front Page themes include a navigation block. This block will have four links. The syllabus and module links will go to these pages in Canvas and will not need to updated. The Start Here and More Resources links will need to updated. You can create these pages using the copy existing content in new pages (see previous section). If you prefer to not use these links, you can either remove them or update the links to other pages or content in the course. Edit the "home" page and launch Design Tools (see Using the Multi Tool Templates for instructions on creating the "home" page). Review the numbered item below. 

1. In the Design Tools panel click Create/Edit Content.
2. If you have not already applied a theme, select Choose a Theme to apply one and then click Customize Banner text to update header information. 
3. Click Add/Edit Navigation Block to view the options available. You can choose to add items or remove the entire navigation block if desired. 
4. The navigation block links will display in the list. You can click and drag the link items to new locations in the list or update the link text. You can also remove individual links as well. Click Refresh List to update your changes. 

It is important to update links properly so they will work for students. (1) Click the X in the Design Tool panel if it is displaying for you. Select the link text you wish to change. (2) In the right sidebar content browser select the links tab and select the page or other content you wish to link to. Be sure to update the page when you are done.