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Cidi Labs Training Overview

A brief look at the DesignPLUS training activities

The installation and training package includes the seven activities outlined on this page.

Installation

This 60 minute session will get DesignPLUS up and running at the desired account level in Canvas.

Core Training Part 1

This 90 minute session covers the basics of using DesignPLUS. Here are the topics we cover:

Overview

This first training provides a brief overview and introduction to DesignPLUS. In the overview portion we will:

Introduce the three different tools and their role in the creation process
Look at some example content created using the tools.
Overview of the rich content editor toolbar

Part 1 covers building a Canvas course using the basic level of the rich content editor tools, the Multi-Tool and the Upload/Embed Image tool.

In Part 1 we will learn how to:

Launch Design Tools
Choose a theme
Add/Rearrange content blocks
Customize banner text
Choose a banner image
Add images using the Upload/Embed Image tool
Add/Edit the navigation block
Use the Multi Tool to quickly build a course shell (including template pages)
Adjust assignment dates using the Multi Tool's Due Date Modifier
Make accessible tables
Customize the style of images, links, tables and ordered/unordered lists
Find additional resources

Core Training Part 2

This 60 minute session covers the remaining basics of using DesignPLUS as well as addressing any questions. Here are the topics we cover:

Check the accessibility of headings, images and link text
Access special features in a course syllabus
Adjust styling of iframes
Add styling to existing content

Intermediate Training

This 120 minute session digs a little deeper into what we can do with the rich content editor tools using the intermediate level tools.

The intermediate level of the rich content editor tools introduces additional tools for working with styles as well as taking advantage of some advanced elements. These tools help build things in Canvas that would otherwise require writing HTML, CSS and/or JavaScript.

In Intermediate Training we will learn how to:

Adjust Banner Theme Colors
Adjust the Background color and text color of other elements
Adjust element margins and padding
Set border styles and colors for elements
Use Block Alerts/Highlights
Add Emphasis and Highlights to text
Work with Accordions, Tabs and Expanders
Work with Description Lists
Add a variety of preconfigured HTML Snippets
Add icons at the cursor position
Build a Module List with information about all of the modules in your course
Add Module Progress/Navigation indicators
Add Objectives/Outcomes text to your content
Add Teacher and TA details
Add language accent characters to your content

Advanced Training

This 60 minute session will introduce some advanced tools that will help you fine tune your Canvas content. Many of these tools are geared toward those who have some knowledge and experience working with HTML and CSS.

In this level we will look at adding in the following advanced elements:

Modal Dialogs (popup boxes)
Quick Checks (an ungraded multiple choice question that can be inserted into the content)

We will also learn how to:

Work with the Advanced HTML Editor
Easily adjust HTML Attributes like ID, class and style
Insert empty paragraphs above/below the current element
Remove spans from content that often result from a copy and paste
Clear all inline styles from a selected element and all its children
Unwrap element contents
Delete an element and all of its contents
Clear empty elements
Rearrange children of block elements (list items, table rows, etc.)
Add custom CSS to a course
Explore DesignPlus' Hidden Gems

Institutional Customization Training

The 60 minute Admin training is for those who will be maintaining DesignPLUS customizations at the account level. We will cover customizing the following:

Template Content Blocks

Content building blocks that can be selected by users when building their content in the rich content editor. Customizing blocks can be created for general content (assignments, discussions, pages and quizzes) or for the syllabus area of Canvas

Policy Blocks

These content blocks can be configured to house institutional/departmental policies that can be easily added to the course syllabus. These policies are updated every time that Design Tools are launched in a course syllabus.

Template Pages
Template Syllabi
Default Color Palette

Set colors that are available to users when using the color pickers inside of Design Tools.

Objectives

Objective/Outcome/Standard text that can be easily added to content in the rich content editor.

HTML Snippets

Preconfigured chunks of HTML code that can be inserted at the cursor position using Design Tools

Support information for users (institutional and sub-account level)
Banner Images

How to add images that users can pick from for their course banner

Theme Configurations

What themes are available, appearance of buttons used to choose a theme, default banner image, etc.

Theme Colors Page

A playground that can be used when customizing the CSS for the Design Tools themes.

Bonus Training

This 60 minute training can be used for Q&A down the road or a variety of other custom training activity for an institution.