Lesson 1: Customizing the Left-Hand Navigation

Course navigation (buttons on the left-hand side of your course page) is part of the organization of your course. When leveraged effectively, it can help students find their way around your course. 

Options for the Course Navigation

There are two (2) options you have when organizing your left-hand course navigation.

1. Decide which buttons to Hide/Show. 
2. Determine the order of the buttons.

The things instructors cannot manipulate are the hiding of the HOME button and changing of the button wording.

Want to add new Buttons to the Course Nav?  Do you have a course blog? A set of course resources? Or some learning tools outside of Canvas? An app exists Canvas App Center that allows you to add a 're-direct' link to your course navigation to re-direct users to different resources online. The app is called "re-direct" (surprise, surprise). Click for instructions on how to add apps to course navigation.

Things to Consider for Your Course Navigation

We often get asked, which order is best or which buttons to hide/show in the left-hand navigation? Of course, there is no right answer. It's really based on instructor preference. But here are some tips when designing your course navigation:

• Hide buttons that you are not using.
  If you are not using "Collaborations" or "Conferences" tools, there's probably no need to have it in the navigation.
  
  
• Minimize duplication.
  Having access to content from multiple places can be helpful to students. However, if you linking to files, assignments, discussions purposefully through modules or pages, then you may consider hiding them from navigation... or not.
  
  
• Keep mobile in mind.
  Some students will access your course through Canvas mobile app. Even though you may decide to hide certain buttons from view, students will still be able to see assignments, files, modules, pages, quizzes, syllabus, announcements, discussions, and grades through the mobile apps.