The Course Design Template is an instructor-facing resource. Unlike the Introduction Module, it doesn’t work on its own — it must be customized and filled in with the materials for your course. It includes modules for all 10 weeks of the quarter, including the Orientation Module. (If you are teaching in the Summer Session, we recommend importing the Summer Introduction Module separately to replace Week 0 of the Template!)
This template is ideal for instructors who are new to Canvas, UCSC, and/or remote instruction. The template guides you through setting up your course on Canvas.Instructors can import the template into their Canvas course from Canvas Commons. Search for “UC Santa Cruz Course Design Template” (and be sure to use that exact wording!).
How to add the Course Design Template
Option A: Direct link
This is the easiest way to add the Introduction Module to your course — unfortunately, it’s not the most reliable!
Navigate to the UC Santa Cruz Course Design Template in Canvas Commons
Do you see the see Course Design Template? If so — great! Skip to “Option B: Step 6” below.
If you do NOT see the template when you click the link, try clicking the link a second time. If that does not work, move to Option B below.
Option B: Search in Canvas Commons
Step 1: Navigate to the Canvas course to which you want to add the course template.
Step 2: Click Import from Commons, located in the navigation bar on the right side of the screen (on smaller screens, the button may be on the bottom of your screen).
Step 3: Click the blue Authorize button to authorize Commons to access your account.
Step 4: In the “Search by title, institution, name or tag” field, type UC Santa Cruz Course Design Template. Use this exact wording; it’s very hard to find the module if you don’t!
Step 5: You’ll see a module called “UC Santa Cruz Course Design Template” with a photo of students on a bridge. Click on the title.
Step 6: Click the blue Import/Download button.
Step 7: Select the course(s) you’d like to add the template to and click Import into Course. You’ll see “You have successfully started the import! It may take a little while to see changes in your course.”
That’s it! You’ve now added the Course Design Template to your course.
Option C: Contact us
Email tlc@ucsc.edu to request that the module be added to your course. Don’t forget to include your course’s name and code.