3.3 Embedding Word Documents and PDFs into Content Pages (Read)

• Apply the template from the guide to write effective content
• Upload instructional materials to Canvas
• Create a content page
• Embed the materials directly into the page
  
  

• Establish proper context for your instructional materials
• Enhance student engagement in your courses

Embedding Documents into a Content Page

• Open Microsoft Word and copy the template from the "Establishing Context for Instructional Materials" guide into a new document
• Fill out the relevant sections of the template to establish context for the instructional material you're sharing
• Using Microsoft Word (or your preferred word processing application) ensures that your content is saved regularly, preventing data loss that can occur when working directly in an online web application like Canvas

• Once you have established the content in Microsoft Word, upload the file to your Canvas course shell
• Consider creating a dedicated resource folder to consolidate and share all instructional materials with your students.
• If you're unsure how to upload files to Canvas, refer to the following Canvas Community guide: How do I upload a file to a course? Links to an external site.

• Create a new content page within one of your modules in Canvas
• Open the newly created content page and click on the "Edit" button
• In the Rich Content Editor, copy and paste the content you wrote in Microsoft Word
• If you're not familiar with creating content pages, consult the following Canvas Community guide, "How do I create a new page in a course? Links to an external site."

• Scroll down to the "Instructional Materials" section of the content page
• Under the "Resource" bullet, write a clear and descriptive title for the content item you're sharing (e.g., "Establishing Context for Instructional Materials: A Faculty Guide")
• Include the file type in parentheses next to the title (e.g., "(DOCX)") to provide additional context for students on how they will need to review the materials you are sharing with them

• Highlight the resource title you just wrote
• In the Rich Content Editor toolbar, click on the "Documents" icon, then select "Course Documents"
• Locate and select the document you uploaded in Step 2
• The document will automatically be linked to the highlighted title

• Click on the linked resource title, then click on the "Link Options" button that appears at the top
• A "Link" options menu will appear on the right-hand side of your screen

• In the "Display Options" section, select "Preview in-line" and check the box for "Expand preview by default"
• Click "Done" to save the changes
• Having a single document on a content page expand by default provides greater accessibility and context for students, emphasizing the importance of the content they need to review

• After finalizing the settings, make sure to save your content page
• Double-check that the document appears appropriately on the page

Key Takeaways

• Effective Content Page Creation: By following these steps, faculty members can create content pages that effectively establish context for their instructional materials, just like the 3.2 "Building a Content Page Foundation" page.
• Identifying Key Elements: Faculty should use this template to identify the key elements needed to establish proper context for instructional materials.
• Customizing Formats: Once faculty have a clear understanding of the key elements, they are encouraged to experiment with their own formats to best suit their course needs.