UC San Diego Extended Studies Course Templates are designed and built to support instructors in their delivery of high-quality learning experiences using the Canvas LMS. We strongly encourage all instructors to import and set up one of our templates in their new courses.
To learn more about using the Extended Studies Course Template to upgrade/optimize the learning experience in a course you have already developed and delivered in an LMS (Canvas or other), please contact the Instructional Excellence team at ext-instructorexcellence@ucsd.edu for more information.
Read on to learn how to import and use the template in your Canvas course!
How to Import a Template into your Course
- Step 1: Determine Your Template Type
- Step 2: Connect to the Commons
- Step 3: Import the template from the Commons
How to Import a Template into your Course
You can import the course template into the course of your choice in 3 easy steps.
Video Guide
Step 1: Determine Your Template Type
The template you should use corresponds with your course's delivery format. You can choose from either of these two templates:
Step 2: Connect to the Commons
There are two ways to import a course template.
In Canvas, click on the Commons button (Canvas global navigation, left) and locate your desired template (skip to step 3).
OR
Use either the Dashboard or the Courses menu (Canvas global navigation, left) to enter the course you will be importing the template into.
On the home page of your course, look for the Import from Commons button. This button will take you to the Commons.
Step 3: Import the template from the Commons
Follow these directions to bring the template into your Practice Course or into your empty Course Shell.
3a. In the Commons, locate the Extended Studies templates. Click the blue link for the appropriate template for your course type.
3b. On the template page, click the blue Import/Download button on the right.
3c. Then, check the box that corresponds to the course(s) you wish to import the template into.
3d. Finally, click Import at the bottom of the import menu.
Congratulations! You have imported a template into your course. Be advised that the import process may take a few moments.
You should now see the template home page when you visit your course (see screenshot below).
From here, you are ready to customize the template in your Canvas course. Continue reading to learn how!
How to Use the Template
The template includes a new home page, a syllabus page, and 4 modules with different uses. You will need to edit key areas of each resource, as explained below. To use the template, you will need to be familiar with the basic Canvas functions, including Editing and Saving pages, assignments, discussions and using the Rich Content Editor. You are encouraged to reach out to Instructor Excellence (ext-instructorexcellence@ucsd.edu) if you need any help with using the template resource.
Home Page
There are two items to complete on the home page.
- Welcome Message/Contact Info: You will need to edit the welcome message and your contact rules. Use the template language or replace it with your own welcome and contact information messaging.
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Welcome Video: You will record a 2-3 (max) minute video, welcoming students to the course and providing a brief overview of your expectations for the quarter. There is a script/structure on the page that you can delete and replace with your welcome video.
If you home page does not change with the template import, you can easily make the new template home page your Front Page in Canvas.
Syllabus Page
Download and complete the syllabus template provided via the new template Syllabus page in your course. You will replace the template syllabus with your own PDF version of your syllabus and delete the remaining instructions on the page. You also have the option of enabling or disabling the Course Summary, which shows students all of the assignments in your course, on the Syllabus page. Make any changes and Update the Syllabus page.
Modules
- ⚠️ NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR: Delete this module or leave unpublished!
- Course Introduction and Resources
- Copyable Module Template
- Course Conclusion
Module 1: ⚠️ NOTES TO INSTRUCTOR: Delete this module or leave unpublished!
This module highlights a few key resources instructors must know, including how to get videos into Canvas (via Kaltura), how to get help, and our messaging on academic integrity. Visit and bookmark the links, copy the module to your Practice course, or delete the module if you don't need the content.
Module 2: Course Introduction and Resources
This module is your module zero, or the first module that students should view in the course. There are pages you will need to modify and pages that require no action on your part.
Pages to Edit in Module 2
You will need to review and complete the following pages:
- About the Course: Provide the course description and SLOs from your syllabus.
- Meet the Instructor: Provide biographical and personal information to humanize your course.
- General Resources: List any resources that might be referenced on an ongoing basis. Consider adding links to style guides or industry specific information sources.
No Editing Required Pages in Module 2
You do not need to edit the following pages:
- Student Guide to Extended Studies Course Structure: This page explains the week-by-week pace of instruction at Extended Studies and provides an overview of the module contents.
-
Ask the Instructor Forum: This discussion forum is linked to every lecture, assignment, and discussion page when the template is used properly. The purpose of this forum is to help you direct course- and assignment-related questions to one, student-facing source. When you answer student questions about course content or assignment expectations publicly, you create an additional opportunity for the entire class to learn. You can even ask students who pose a question to you privately to post that question in the Ask the Instructor forum.
- Best Practice: You will need to check this forum every 24-48 hours throughout the quarter.
Module 3: Copyable Module Template
The Copyable Module Template is a structured Canvas module that instructors can tailor and reuse across multiple weeks of instruction. This template is intended to help you establish a consistent course rhythm while minimizing repetitive setup work because every page, assignment, or discussion in Canvas will require your manual editing.
- ⚠️ To use this module template effectively, make sure to fully customize the module before duplicating it.
Overview of Template Structure
The module is titled DO NOT PUBLISH: Copyable Module Templates and contains several instructional headers and placeholder content items. These are meant for instructors only and should be removed or renamed before publishing.
Instructional Headers
- Text headers marked with a hammer and wrench icon provide reminders and setup instructions.
- These headers should be deleted after customization to avoid displaying internal notes to students.
Module Items
- Each item is labeled with "Week #" as a placeholder. Update these labels to reflect the actual week numbers and content focus.
- Items in the module have been indented to highlight learning content from assignments and assessments, with learning content being indented once and assignments twice.
Template Items and Their Use
Week # - Overview
Use this page to introduce the week’s goals, learning objectives, and key themes. This helps students orient themselves at the start of the module.
Week # - Lecture
Insert your original lecture content along with a PDF copy of the slides. Videos uploaded to Kaltura are automatically machine captioned, so students will be able to see the captions or view the transcript. You should edit video captions to amend any errors in the machine transcription; read ARTICLE
Week # - Multipurpose Page
This is a flexible, open-ended space for any instructional need—supplemental notes, optional activities, or FAQs. If not needed, delete this page before duplicating the module.
Week # - Reading Assignments
Week # - Required Reading and Viewing
Choose one of these pages based on your instructional strategy. Remove the one you do not use to reduce confusion during duplication.
Week # - Assignment
Replace the placeholder with a specific assignment. Adjust the title, instructions, point value, and due date to reflect the week’s workload and assessment goals. Add a rubric for increased grading transparency and enhanced feedback opportunities.
Week # - Discussion
This page includes template criteria and response guidelines. It is important to configure this item before duplicating the module. Update:
- Expectations for the first post due date
- Reply deadline and reply quantity to peers
- Grading guidelines or rubrics
- Note: The template Discussion has a grading rubric associated with it. If you decide not to use this grading rubric, please add your own.
Week # - Conclusion
Use this page to summarize key concepts, prompt reflection, or offer resources for related or extended (but not graded) learning.
Setting up the Module Template for Duplication
Taking time to refine the template before duplicating helps reduce redundant editing later and supports consistent course delivery. You will want to consider your weekly lesson plans and syllabus to help you create the ideal module structure. You can always add unique or one-off pages and assignments to any module after duplication.
- Read through the instructional headers and follow the guidance.
- Rename all items (replace "Week #") and adjust titles to fit your content.
- Fill in each page with any permanent course rules, expectations, support documentation.
- Remove unused items like the multipurpose page or either the reading/viewing or reading pages.
- Finalize details on the Discussion page, including post length, required replies, and other expectations.
- With your ideal weekly template ready, use the three-dot menu on the module title to duplicate the module for each week of instruction.
- Read about the Duplicate feature in the article What is the difference between the "Copy To" and "Duplicate" functions in Canvas?
Module 4: Course Conclusion
The Course Conclusion module is designed to give students a clear sense of closure as they complete the course. It serves as the last module and a final touchpoint for reflection, encouragement, and next steps, including how to complete the course/instructor evaluations.
The single page in this module should be customized to reflect the tone and learning arc of your specific course. Simply complete each area of the course conclusion template page. Set the course conclusion to open on completion of your last content module or set a lock date on the module to delay posing until the course is over; read Adjusting the Lock Until Date for a Module in Canvas.