Improving Learner Experience on Canvas with the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist v3.0

Course Creator View for Canvas, Source: betterbuys.com

In recent years, the education landscape has dramatically shifted towards digital platforms. According to Forbes, in 2021, approximately 60% of U.S. students took at least one online class. While the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed this change, the convenience and flexibility of online learning have led many institutions to continue offering remote courses even in a post-pandemic world.

At the center of this digital transformation are Learning Management Systems (LMS), which provide the framework for educators to design, deliver, and manage online courses. Among the leading LMS providers, Canvas has emerged as a dominant player, praised for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. To help course creators design impactful online experiences, Canvas released the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist (CCEC) v3.0 in July 2023.

This blog will dive deep into the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist v3.0, exploring its features, strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications. Whether you’re an instructional designer, educator, or course creator, this guide will help you leverage CCEC v3.0 to enhance the quality of your online courses, whether you use Canvas or any other LMS.

What is the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist (CCEC) v3.0?

The Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist (CCEC) v3.0 is a carefully designed tool offered by the creators of Canvas, Instructure, intended to help educators and instructional designers evaluate and improve their courses on the Canvas platform. With 70 distinct criteria spread across 9 categories, the checklist covers a wide range of areas critical to effective online course design.

The categories include:

1. Course Information and Expectations (10 Criteria)
2. Course Structure (10 Criteria)
3. Course Content (12 Criteria)
4. Learner Interaction (10 Criteria)
5. Assessments (9 Criteria)
6. External Resources (4 Criteria)
7. Course Accessibility (8 Criteria)
8. Instructor Supports (3 Criteria)
9. Mobile App Considerations (4 Criteria)

Each criterion in the checklist is rated using a star system:

• ★: Essential (basic and required)
• ★★: Best Practice (recommended for added value)
• ★★★: Exemplary (enhances the course and elevates learning experiences)

The Strengths of the CCEC v3.0

The Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist v3.0 stands out for several reasons:

Alignment with Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

The CCEC v3.0 follows UDL principles, which ensure that courses are accessible to learners of all abilities. By incorporating multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression, educators can cater to diverse learning needs, making the course more inclusive and effective.
Why it matters: Inclusivity is a key aspect of modern education, and aligning courses with UDL principles can improve student engagement and success.
Learn more about UDL from here.

Mobile-Focused Design

With more students accessing courses on their mobile devices, the CCEC v3.0 integrates mobile app considerations, ensuring that course navigation and content are optimized for smaller screens.
Why it matters: A mobile-optimized course makes learning more accessible for students on the go, ensuring a seamless experience across devices.
Test your course for mobile readiness: Mobile App Design Course Evaluation Checklist Editable Google Doc File

Flexibility

The CCEC v3.0 can be used for both formative (during course creation) and summative (after course completion) evaluations. This flexibility allows course creators to continuously improve their designs throughout the course development process.
Why it matters: Continuous evaluation helps refine courses over time, making them more effective for future students.
Learn more about formative and summative evaluation from here.

Who Can Use the CCEC v3.0?

The checklist is designed for a wide audience, including:

• Canvas LMS Users: Course creators and instructional designers across K12, higher education, and professional training programs.
• Educators: Both those new to Canvas and seasoned instructors looking to refine their courses.
• Institutions: Universities and schools seeking a structured approach to maintaining quality standards in online learning.

Breaking Down the Categories: A Deep Dive into the Checklist

Let’s explore the most critical aspects of the CCEC v3.0, and understand how these categories contribute to a better online learning experience.

1. Course Information and Expectations

The Course Information and Expectations section is foundational to setting up your course for success. This section ensures that students have clear guidance on how to navigate the course and what to expect in terms of content, interaction, and assessments.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 1.1 Home Page Setup (★): Your home page should provide a visual representation of the course with a brief introduction and clear navigation.
  Tip: Use a video introduction to personalize the course and provide students with a quick overview. This builds rapport from the start.
• 1.4 Course Syllabus (★): Make sure your syllabus includes class expectations, participation rules, grading policies, and any technology requirements.
  Tip: Consider using a Syllabus Quiz to ensure students have read and understood the syllabus.
• 1.6 Pacing Guide (★): Offer a pacing guide to help students manage their time.
  Tip: Use the pacing guide to break the course into weekly objectives and tie them to specific learning goals.

2. Course Structure

A clear and logical structure is crucial to helping students progress through the material. This section focuses on organizing content into manageable modules, ensuring consistency and ease of navigation.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 2.2 Chunking Content (★): Break content into manageable pieces using modules and pages.
  Tip: Use descriptive titles for modules like “Week 1: Introduction to Data Analytics” rather than just “Week 1” to make content more meaningful.
• 2.3 Consistent Formatting (★): Ensure consistency in the way you format content, assignments, and pages.
  Tip: Create a style guide for your course to maintain uniformity in headings, fonts, and layouts.
• 2.7 Module Introductions and Summaries (★★): Begin each module with an Introduction/Overview page and end with a summary to reinforce learning.
  Tip: Use summary pages to encourage self-reflection by asking students to write a short response on what they learned.

3. Course Content

The Course Content category focuses on the quality, accessibility, and relevance of the course material. It’s essential to make sure your content is engaging and caters to different learning styles.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 3.2 Logical Progression (★): The course content should build logically, increasing in difficulty as the course progresses.
  Tip: Use scaffolding techniques to support students in more challenging tasks as they move through the course.
• 3.6 Inclusive Language (★): Make sure your language is inclusive and respectful of different identities, backgrounds, and experiences.
  Tip: Avoid using gendered language and be mindful of cultural sensitivity in examples and case studies.
• 3.9 Multiple Methods of Delivery (★★): Include a variety of formats like videos, readings, and interactive quizzes to cater to different learning preferences.
  Tip: Embed short quizzes after video content to reinforce key concepts and encourage active engagement.

4. Learner Interaction

Engagement is key in an online learning environment. This section ensures that students have ample opportunities to interact with each other, the instructor, and the content.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 4.5 Learner-Learner Interaction (★): Foster a sense of community through discussions, peer reviews, or group projects.
  Tip: Use discussion prompts that encourage critical thinking and require students to engage with their peers’ responses.
• 4.6 Learner-Instructor Interaction (★): Ensure active engagement with the instructor through regular feedback and office hours.
  Tip: Schedule weekly Q&A sessions or virtual office hours using tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
• 4.9 Visual Instructions (★★★): Use videos or animations to clarify instructions for complex activities.
  Tip: Create short screen recordings or animations to walk students through step-by-step tasks like submitting an assignment or completing a project.

5. Assessments

Assessments are critical to measuring student progress and ensuring learning outcomes are met. This section emphasizes the importance of variety and alignment between assessments and learning objectives.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 5.3 Variety of Assessment Formats (★): Use a mix of assessment types (e.g., quizzes, projects, and discussions) to engage different types of learners.
  Tip: Incorporate low-stakes quizzes to help students track their own progress without feeling pressured.
• 5.7 Grading Expectations (★★): Use rubrics to set clear grading criteria for subjective assignments.
  Tip: Share your rubrics ahead of time and encourage students to self-assess before submitting assignments.
• 5.9 Outcome-Based Assessments (★★★): Link assessments to specific learning outcomes to clearly demonstrate mastery.
  Tip: Use a combination of formative assessments (e.g., reflective journals) and summative assessments (e.g., final projects) to measure different competencies.

6. External Resources

The use of reliable and relevant external resources enriches the learning experience. This section ensures that additional materials used in the course are accessible and aligned with course content.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 6.1 Reliable External Links (★): Ensure all links to external resources are working and not restricted behind paywalls.
  Tip: Regularly check links to ensure they remain active and provide alternative resources if any become unavailable.
• 6.3 Use of Interactive Tools (★): Use tools like Quizlet, Padlet, or Nearpod to make learning interactive.
  Tip: Embed a Padlet wall in your course to allow students to share resources and ideas in a collaborative space.

7. Course Accessibility

Accessibility is a critical component of online education. This section ensures that all learners, regardless of their abilities, can engage with the course content.

Key Criteria:

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 7.1 Use Accessibility Checkers (★): Use tools like Canvas Accessibility Checker to identify and correct accessibility issues.
  Tip: Run accessibility checks before publishing any content to ensure it’s fully compliant.
• 7.7 Audio and Video Transcripts (★): Provide transcripts for audio files and captions for videos.
  Tip: Use a service like Rev.com to generate captions and transcripts quickly and accurately.

8. Instructor Supports

Effective instructor support is crucial for managing online courses efficiently while ensuring students feel guided and supported throughout their learning journey. This section helps instructors streamline their communication and course management.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 8.1 Clear Communication Channels (★): Instructors should clearly outline how students can reach them, including office hours, email response times, and preferred methods of communication.
  Tip: Set expectations early by posting your response time policy in the syllabus and reminding students about it during the course. For example, “Emails will be responded to within 24 hours on weekdays.”
• 8.2 Instructor Guidance (★★): Provide specific information in unpublished course content for the instructor’s use, including tips on sensitive topics or external resources.
  Tip: Create internal notes for yourself or co-instructors that include helpful links or reminders about complex course materials, especially for future iterations of the course.
• 8.3 Synchronous Session Supports (★★★): If your course includes synchronous sessions, provide outlines or activities that encourage real-time interaction, such as breakout rooms or live polls.
  Tip: Prepare a session outline for synchronous classes to ensure each meeting is focused and productive. Include activities that promote interaction, like live Q&A or peer discussions.

9. Mobile App Considerations

With more students accessing online courses via mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure that courses are fully optimized for mobile use. This section highlights the importance of mobile accessibility and clear navigation on smaller screens.

Key Criteria and Tips:

• 9.1 Mobile Navigation (★): Ensure that the course design is mobile-friendly by previewing the course in the Canvas mobile app. This will help you identify any navigation issues or content that doesn’t display well on smaller screens.
  Tip: Regularly preview your course in both light and dark modes to ensure optimal readability for all users. Adjust your content layout and font size as needed for mobile devices.
• 9.2 Optimize Text Length (★): When designing content and assessments, consider how they will appear on mobile devices. Long text passages may require excessive scrolling, making them harder to follow.
  Tip: Break up text with subheadings, bullet points, and images to make it more digestible on smaller screens. Use shorter paragraphs to enhance readability.
• 9.4 Leverage Mobile Tools (★★★): Take advantage of the unique tools available on mobile devices, such as cameras and audio recording features, to design assessments that encourage creativity.
  Tip: Encourage students to submit assignments using mobile-friendly formats, such as photo or video submissions, especially for creative or visual projects.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Course with the Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist

The Canvas Course Evaluation Checklist v3.0 is a powerful tool to help you create a high-quality, engaging, and accessible course. By paying close attention to each of the categories above and implementing the relevant tips, you can enhance your course’s effectiveness and better support your learners.

Download your own copy of the CCEC v3.0 and start improving your course today!