Course Navigation & Settings

Navigating Your Course

As an instructor, you can control which links are visible to your students in the Course Navigation Menu using the Navigation Tab under your course Settings. Canvas includes a set of default Course Navigation links that can be shown by default and cannot be renamed. Depending on your course configuration, other links may be available and customizable. Depending on the structure of your course, customizing the Course Navigation links can minimize confusion for students. Reorder and/or remove Course Navigation options for students in the Course Settings link.

To remove additional links from student access, go to Settings, the Navigation tab, and then choose the link Options icon and select the Disable option.

You can also drag and drop the link to the hidden section at the bottom of the page. Remember to choose to save at the bottom of the page.

Benefits

Below are a number of benefits to managing the Course Navigation menu:

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    • Hide navigation menu items that students do not need.  This one step will make a HUGE difference in the experience.
    • Easier access so students will not have to click around and will only see necessary items. Keep things streamlined.
    • If you are using Modules (which we highly recommend), having a customized navigation menu helps students to navigate your course in the order by which you organize content. 
    • When you reuse the course, the course navigation will be saved.

Suggestions

When considering how many Course Navigation items to have turned on for students, remember the phrase "less is more." The fewer options that are turned on, the easier it will be for students to navigate your course.  Utilizing Modules to organize and structure your course content, for example, allows you to disable assignments, discussions, files, pages, quizzes, and content that is already included in your Module structure. Think of the hidden navigation items as your course filing cabinet, and Modules as the online classroom space where you present learners with the appropriate resources. This will ensure that your students view the content in the intended streamlined format..

Suggested items to enable:

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    • Home: The Home Page is an essential "meeting" point.
    • Announcements: Encourage students to check announcements.
    • Modules: This is where the instructor organizes content for students' engagement.
    • Grades: The #1 asked question: "What is my grade?"
    • Consideration: Add options depending on needs and usage.