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Las Positas College
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  5. Model Course Template Instructions
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Model Course Template Instructions

LPC provides a model Canvas course template and other adaptable resources to support instructors teaching online. The template has been designed to provide a foundation that can help faculty align with:

  • Minimum standards for DE outlined in the faculty contract
  • Web accessibility standards
  • Regular and Substantive Interaction requirements
  • Best practices outlined in the CVC Online Course Design Rubric

What's in the template?

The template includes adaptable resources like:

  • a welcoming home page
  • a sample first day announcement
  • an adaptable syllabus
  • a streamlined course navigation menu
  • an orientation module that can help students get to know their instructor, peers, and course expectations
  • a module with reusable resources, like Module Intro/Wrap-up Pages, sample assignments, and sample quizzes

💡 Important Tips

  • There is definitely more than one way to design an effective online course! Content, language, and layouts in our templates are intended to be helpful and model effective practices; they are not meant to be seen as the only or required way to communicate with students. 
  • As such, all of our template resources are meant to be customized by the instructor to reflect their unique personalities and courses.
  • As technology and standards change, we'll update the templates.

How do I use the template?

To use these resources in your Sandbox or upcoming semester's course, follow the instructions below:

You can copy the template into your Canvas Sandbox or shell for an upcoming course. To do so:

  1. Log into Canvas.
  2. Click Commons in the global navigation menu (far left).
  3. In the search box, type New: LPC Model Online Course Template. 
  4. Click on the hyperlinked title when the course card appears. You can preview course materials or check for recent updates under Version Notes.
  5. Click the Import/Download button on the right.
  6. A list of your Canvas shells will appear. Check the box next to the shell where you'd like to import this content.
  7. After selecting your shell, click Import into Course at the bottom of your course list. (You'll also see an option to Download and save the course for later. This option is not recommended; the template is regularly updated, and importing it directly will ensure you have the most recent version.)
  8. A pop-up message will alert you that you have successfully started the import process. It may take a few minutes before you can see the changes in your course.

After a few moments, you'll be able to open the Canvas shell where you imported the template and start making modifications.

  • Instructors taking our Online Course Development Program (OCDP) will find step-by-step guidance that helps with customization as they complete our DE training.
  • Instructors not taking the OCDP can review the page Instructors: How to Use These Resources in the template. It includes quick tips to help you review and edit content in the shell.

For help with the template, reach out to the Instructional Technology Team in LPC's Teaching and Learning Center.

Besides the course template, LPC provides a model syllabus and welcome letter instructors are welcome to modify. For details and guidance:

Student Resources

Faculty Resources