Canvas provides a few options for uploading documents and organizing information in a site:

  • Files: The Files tab is the course’s filing cabinet. You can store files here to use elsewhere in the site.
  • Modules: Modules allow you to structure content into a guided learning experience by organizing course materials by weeks, themes, or units.
  • Pages: Pages provide direct content creation through use of the Rich Content Editor to customize text, images, videos, and hyperlinks.

Files

Files is a place to upload and store files for your course. 

Storage space in every Canvas course is limited. Avoid uploading large files such as videos to avoid running out of storage. Please use Panopto (Class Recordings) to store video content.

Use the drag-and-drop method or click-and-upload method to insert files. Files are then listed in alphabetical order and can be organized in folders. Once you add a file here, you can link it throughout the course site from Modules, Assignments, or Pages.

We strongly recommend hiding the Files tab from students. Instead, link to individual files from the Modules, Assignments, or Pages tabs, which can all be organized in ways that are easier for students to navigate. This will also prevent unintentional sharing of sensitive files.

If you do choose to make the Files tab visible to students, keep these factors in mind:

  • Any file uploaded will appear as published and will be fully viewable to students.
  • Clicking on the green check mark allows you to change the visibility to available with the link only (as in through a Module, Assignment, or Page) for students.
  • Unpublished means that the file will be unavailable to students.
  • The visibility settings for a folder override the visibility for all items in the folder.

Some instructors use the Files section to share resources with their TAs or course staff. If you use it in this manner, be sure to disable Files in the course navigation to hide it from students, and use caution around sharing sensitive material such as answer keys, grade data, class lists, or other FERPA-protected information.

Modules

Modules can organize course content by weeks, units, or whatever organizational structure works for your class. Modules act as folders for organizing files, discussions, assignments, quizzes, and outside resources into a guided learning experience.

In the Modules tab, create a new module by clicking +Module and adding individual items using the + sign. Any site content can be added to a module, and you can also create text headers or add external links. You can reorganize the order of module items as needed.

If you upload a new file to a module, Canvas will also create an Uploaded Media folder in the Files section to store all uploaded content.

You may require students to work through modules in a specific order by adding requirements or prerequisites. When modules contain more than one item, buttons will appear at the bottom of the page, allowing students to click Previous and Next to navigate.

Consider using our course site template to incorporate modules into your course.

Modules must be published to be visible to students! The published/unpublished status of a Module overrides the status of items within it. We recommend using the Student View feature to verify what students can see.

Pages

Pages offer the most flexibility for displaying and organizing content within a Canvas site.

To create a page, add a page within a module or click +Page on the Pages tab. You’ll then use the Rich Content Editor to design your content. After saving your work, you’ll need to publish the page to make it visible to students.

Other Page options include:

We recommend organizing your course using Modules. Modules allow you to set up your site quickly while keeping content organized by week or unit for students. As you become more well-versed in using Canvas, start incorporating pages to maximize engagement, create customized content, and embed images and videos. 

Additional tips and reminders:

  • Make sure that content is published for students to access.
  • Rename file links, module items, or text headers to help students locate content more easily.
  • Link to important documents in key places (i.e., home page) and several locations.
  • Use the search bar in the Files tab if you have a lot of files.
  • Review the Files tab at the start of each semester. If you copy content from a previous course, make sure that the content is updated, and delete outdated or duplicate copies.
  • If you accidentally delete an assignment from a module, it still exists in the Assignments tab and you can put it back. The same is true for other Canvas items (Files, Pages, Quizzes, etc.).
  • Use the Link Validator to check for any broken hyperlinks.

If broken links are discovered, these resource guides provide steps to fix the links:

You can run a new link validator check at any time to check for broken links.

Additional Resources

Getting Help

Please contact your Local Support Provider or submit a request to canvas@pobox.upenn.edu.