Canvas Collections

Improve Canvas course site design
Transform Canvas Modules by adding

Structure Visuals Context Generativity
Get Started Learn more

Features .

Add structure

How?

Organise modules into different collections.
Navigate between collections.

Why?

Learn more about collections

Add visuals

How?

Select a representation for each collection.
Change the representation at any time.
Develop and add new representations.

Why?

Learn more about representations

Add context

How?

Add (meta-)data about each module.
Transform modules into context specific objects.
Add an include page to each collection.

Why?

Learn more about objects

Add generativity

How?

Creatively combine Collections' features in unexpected ways.
Contribute to the (very nascent) Collections' community.

Why?

Screenshot of Zittrain (2008) answering the question 'What maks something generative?'. Lists five factors 1) how extensively it leverages a set of possible tasks; 2) how well it can be adapted to a range of tasks; 3) how easily new contributors can master it; 4) how accessible it is to those ready and able to build on it; 5) how transferable any changes are to others, including nonexperts

(Zittrain, 2008, p. 71)

Why ?

Course organisation improves retention

Course organisation improves student satisfaction and motivation, and promotes cognitive presence. Course organisation is one of three instructor level factors affecting retention.

Muljana, P., & Luo, T. (2019). Factors Contributing to Student Retention in Online Learning and Recommended Strategies for Improvement: A Systematic Literature Review . Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 18.

Aesthetics & usability improve outcomes & motivation

Perceived aesthetics and usability positively affected learner emotional states. Contributing to small improvements in learning outcomes and larger impacts in intrinsic motivation.

Heidig, S., Müller, J., & Reichelt, M. (2015). Emotional design in multimedia learning: Differentiation on relevant design features and their effects on emotions and learning . Computers in Human Behavior, 44, 81–95.

Findability improves self-efficacy & motivation

Findability has been found to be the only and most significant predictor of student motivation and self-efficacy (Simunich et al, 2015; Crews et al, 2017 ).

Simunich, B., Robins, D. B., & Kelly, V. (2015). The Impact of Findability on Student Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Perceptions of Online Course Quality . American Journal of Distance Education, 29(3), 174–185.

Scale requires flexibility

Achieving scale in education requires designs that can flexibly adapt to effective use in a wide variety of contexts across a spectrum of learners and teachers.

Clarke, J., & Dede, C. (2009). Design for Scalability: A Case Study of the River City Curriculum . Journal of Science Education and Technology, 18(4), 353–365.

How to use Collections .

1. Install

You

Install Collections in your web browser.
Only you will see dynamic Collections in a configured course.
Experiment with Collections.
Create visual home page using static Collections.

Install "individual" Collections

Your institution

Install Collections in Canvas.
Anyone can see dynamic Collections in a configured course.

Install "institutional" Collections

2. Configure

Realise your course's design intent and information architecture with Collections.
Configure the collections, representations, and objects.

Learn more about configuring Collections

3. Navigate

Static (Claytons) Collections

Collections is not used for navigation.
Navigate via static Canvas pages created using Collections.

Learn more about navigating static Collections

Dynamic (live) Collections

Collections is used for navigation.
Navigate modules using Collections full functionality.

Learn more about navigating live Collections