3.6 Establishing Context for External Website (Read)

In the previous section, 3.5 Embedding Media Files into Content Pages, we explored how to modify the instructional materials template to provide context for instructional media, specifically a YouTube video. Now, let's focus on establishing proper context for external websites linked within your Canvas course.

Establishing Context for Single URL Addresses

 Why "Click Here" Links Are Not Informative

A common practice among faculty in online courses is to share links with their students using the "click here" method. However, "click here" links are not informative and can be confusing for students. When you use a "click here" link, users have to rely solely on the link text to understand where the link will take them. This can be problematic for users with screen readers or other assistive technologies, as they may not have the necessary context to determine the purpose of the link.

Throughout this module, specific URL addresses to Canvas community guides on how to complete tasks have been shared. By formatting those links with the proper context, the difference between the incorrect "click here" method and the correct way of providing context will be demonstrated.
Incorrect Example: To learn more about uploading files to Canvas, click here Links to an external site..
Correct Example: 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."
Incorrect Example: For more information on creating new pages in Canvas, click here Links to an external site..
Correct Example: 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."
Incorrect Example: To watch a video on embedding YouTube videos in Canvas, click here Links to an external site..
Correct Example: For a more comprehensive explanation on how to embed YouTube videos, please refer to the Canvas Community guide, "How do I link to a YouTube video in the Rich Content Editor as an instructor? Links to an external site."

Establishing Context for Multiple Websites

To demonstrate how to establish context for multiple websites, all the links shared with faculty throughout this module have been compiled into one section. This example shows how to aggregate multiple links and provide proper context with a single paragraph.
Context for Multiple Websites Example:
Throughout this module, various Canvas Community guides have been shared to help faculty navigate and utilize different features within the Canvas Learning Management System. Below is a compilation of these helpful resources:

Key Takeaways

  • The Importance of Context for External Websites: Establishing proper context for external websites is essential to help students understand the relevance and purpose of the linked content.
  • Avoiding "Click Here" Links: Avoid using "click here" links followed by the URL, as this method fails to provide adequate context.
  • Strategies for Establishing Context: Condense the concepts from the instructional materials template into one clear sentence to establish context for a single external website link, or use a paragraph introduction followed by contextual bullet points for multiple links.