Enhancing Canvas Navigation: Adding a “Back to Module” Option from Page View

PerBergstrom_1981

We use Canvas in our courses, and overall it works very well. I am very satisfied with the platform. However, I have noticed a minor issue with navigation within modules.

It is easy to move between pages using the “Previous” and “Next” buttons. However, there are many situations where one wants to quickly navigate to another module, often a nearby one, and in these cases the current navigation is less efficient. When clicking on “Modules”, you are taken to the top of the module list. If the course contains many modules, it can take time to scroll and locate the desired one.

My suggestion is to add a button between “Previous” and “Next”, for example “Back to Module” (or something similar), which would take the user to the module overview of the current module, rather than to the top of the full module list.

In one of my courses, I have implemented a workaround by adding such a link manually, but it would be beneficial if this functionality were available natively in Canvas.

This would be a small and simple change that could significantly improve navigation.

Find more posts tagged with

Instructional Designer

Accepted answers

Jeff_F

@PerBergstrom_1981 - be sure to review this idea contribution within the Canvas Collaborative Roadmap: https://community.instructure.com/en/categories/canvas-collaborative-roadmap?portalCard=8IrQe4HGMceGz0AFIWxKq74LkPI

Perhaps this aligns with what you are looking for? And do feel free to participate by noting your preference and adding your thoughts therein.

Best, Jeff

Todd_E

Right now you can get this functionality from a 3rd party tool, DesignPlus that requires $$$. Hopefully the built-in version is as functional or more and comes in a timely manner. I can't tell you how much of an improvement just this single feature makes site navigation and presentation.

d_j_corbin

I fully support this! In fact, I wholeheartedly support any ideas or suggestions that would give learners a better overview of where they are at in the modules (and show teachers the structure of their course) - without having to click and go out of that page/assignment/etc. and go back to the main modules page to see. It's very strange you have to play for this basic functionality (for example with DesignPlus) and I would assume Instructure would also want to give learners a better overview...

At our university we have created a Javascript (in a few different designs/color themes) that gives them a better overview. We call it the right-hand module menu, and it appears in every page/assignment/etc. that is published in the modules page. Teachers/admin can also see unpublished content in the right-hand menu because it follows their access.

Thanks for linking to the roadmap idea, @Jeff_F ! I just voted "Must Have" :)

All comments

Jeff_F

Perhaps this aligns with what you are looking for? And do feel free to participate by noting your preference and adding your thoughts therein.

Best, Jeff

Todd_E

d_j_corbin

Thanks for linking to the roadmap idea, @Jeff_F ! I just voted "Must Have" :)

d_j_corbin

Here's a picture of the right-hand menu in one of our courses:

PerBergstrom_1981

A potentially better option from a user experience perspective would be to replace the “Previous”, “Next”, and “Back to Module” buttons with icons instead. For example, a left arrow (on the far left, Previous), a right arrow (on the far right, Next), and an up arrow (in the center, Back to Module). The left and right arrows would be mirror images of each other, while the up arrow would have a similar visual style but be slightly distinct to clearly indicate that it represents a different type of navigation. That would also make a better visual symmetry.

PerBergstrom_1981

Todd_E

Would you be able to share a screenshot of what this looks like? I'm definitely intrigued.

edit: nm just saw the followup post. Thanks!

Unanswered Questions

Learning Mastery Gradebook: assign_outcome_order API Returns Success But Doesn't Persist Column Order
Summary:The Learning Mastery Gradebook allows drag-and-drop reordering of outcome columns, and this triggers a call to /api/v1/courses/:course_id/assign_outcome_order. The API returns 204 No Content (success), but the column order does not persist after page refresh. Steps to Reproduce: Open Learning Mastery Gradebook for…
New Quizzes QTI Import Not Working
We have enabled the automatic migration of Classic to New Quizzes. When we import QTI files, though, they always fail to load as New Quizzes. If we disabled New Quiz Migration, it works. Why does it only work for Classic Quizzes? Are there any guaranteed tools that will generate QTI files that will import correctly as New…
System-wide (global) Notification Defaults
Is it possible to change the system-wide notification defaults for a hosted Canvas instance? Since I can't find a way to do it, nor any reference to doing it, I'm assuming not but wanted to make sure before I give that as an answer.
LockDown Browser & 2‑in‑1 / Tablet Mode Devices (Security Concern?)
Hi everyone, I had a teacher reach out with an odd (and concerning) LockDown Browser issue and wanted to see if others have experienced something similar. A student was taking a quiz using Respondus LockDown Browser on a Chromebook 300e Yoga G4 (8GB), a 2‑in‑1 device that can flip into tablet mode. During the active quiz,…
Gradebook Color Status for Incomplete 2-Part Discussions (Discussion Checking-point)
Hi all, Quick question about the Gradebook color status for a 2-part checkpoint discussion. If a student completes the first due date (initial post) but does not complete the required replies by the second due date, is there any way for Canvas to automatically show a color (e.g., missing/late) instead of staying as…