The DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard helps users design new Canvas content in the Rich Content Editor (RCE) throughout their course.
The Canvas Block Editor and the DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard are each tools to assist with easy content creation and styling in Canvas, without users needing HTML or CSS knowledge. Both tools provide access to pre-styled templates and design elements that can be further edited.
The Canvas Block Editor is limited to creating new Pages and is used separately from the familiar Canvas Rich Content Editor. It provides simple editing options for novice users to generate styled Pages.
The DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard works for designing new content across a course, in conjunction with the Canvas Rich Content Editor, including Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, and classic Quizzes. Institutions can provide custom Templates and Content Blocks for users to select from. Users can further customize designs with the RCE or the DesignPLUS Sidebar and can create their own course Templates for future use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can each tool be used?
The Canvas Block Editor allows users to quickly build new Canvas Pages.
The DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard allows users to quickly design new content alongside the Canvas RCE, including: Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, Syllabi, and classic Quizzes.
What type of designs and features are available in each tool?
The Canvas Block Editor allows users to start from a selection of pre-designed Page templates or from a blank page. From there, users can add pre-styled "Sections"--such as a Navigation Section--or "Blocks"--individual objects such as Text or Image. Design elements can be re-arranged or removed and each element features a simple set of styling tools, such as the ability to adjust color or image size.
The DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard allows users to select from available institution, course, or Cidi Labs Templates and Content Blocks to create new Pages, Assignments, Discussions, Announcements, Syllabi, and classic Quizzes. Templates are full-item designs, while Content Blocks are chunks of more discrete styled content. Both Templates and Content Blocks have institution colors automatically applied. In the interactive preview, design elements can be re-arranged or removed. Designs can be further customized with the familiar Rich Content Editor tools and the complete set of robust design features available in the DesignPLUS Sidebar.
Can my institution make customized designs available to our users?
With the DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard, yes. Any Template or Content Block designed by the institution in a DesignPLUS Customizations course is available to the users associated with that Customizations course. Account colors are automatically applied to the designs.
The Canvas Block Editor does not support customized templates or designs.
Is content created with these tools compatible with other content, instructional, and accessibility tools?
Pages created using the Block Editor are not compatible with the Canvas RCE, so users are limited to the tools available in the "Blocks" tab when designing new Pages.
DesignPLUS QuickStart Wizard Templates and Content Blocks are designed for use in the Canvas RCE and therefore are compatible with other content and instructional tools you use in the Canvas RCE--including the DesignPLUS Sidebar. Templates and Content Blocks are built using DesignPLUS Sidebar tools that are designed to increase content accessibility; and since the new content functions in the RCE, you can use your existing accessibility checkers to ensure your course content meets accessibility standards.